An Indian woman living in the Netherlands was left impressed after witnessing Dutch firefighters use a specialised crane to lower an unwell patient from a multi-storey building that lacked a lift — a rescue she captured on video and shared online.
The footage shows a fire truck deploying an extendable crane to reach an upper floor of a residential block. Because the building did not have an elevator and its staircases were reportedly too narrow or steep to safely carry a stretcher, trained rescuers attached the patient to the crane and carefully lowered them to the ground.
Resourceful rescue draws admiration
The woman, identified as Swati, shared the video on social media with the caption, “The Dutch are so resourceful,” expressing admiration for the smooth and professional way the operation was conducted. Many viewers praised the emergency team’s calm efficiency and praised the Netherlands’ approach to handling logistical challenges in older buildings.
Social media commentators pointed out that such techniques are relatively common in Europe, especially in historic buildings constructed before elevators were standard and fitted with narrow stairwells that make conventional stretcher transport difficult. Many highlighted that careful planning and skilled execution can make complex rescues appear seamless.
Fire services adapt to architectural constraints
Experts and commenters alike noted that crane-assisted evacuations are sometimes preferred even when lifts are present, particularly when horizontal positioning on a stretcher is necessary and space inside an elevator is limited. In tightly packed staircases, attempting to manoeuvre a stretcher can risk further injury or delay urgent medical attention.
The video not only highlighted the effectiveness of the Dutch emergency response but also sparked wider discussions on how different countries adapt rescue operations to their unique architectural and urban landscapes.