In Lehrte, Germany, emergency services were called on a Friday evening to rescue a man who became trapped under a train’s armrest while attempting to retrieve a dropped AirPod. Initially believed to be a straightforward rescue, the situation quickly escalated into a challenging operation. The man’s hand had swelled significantly, complicating the rescue process and rendering standard equipment ineffective, as reported by the local fire department.
Rescue efforts involved the dismantling of a luggage rack and seats, followed by sawing through the armrest using hydraulic tools. This intricate task took approximately one and a half hours to complete. Once freed, the man was handed over to medical personnel, along with the AirPods, which were also recovered during the incident. A total of 11 firefighters and two rescue vehicles participated in the operation.
The scene drew attention from onlookers, prompting police involvement due to what the fire department described as “unpleasant scenes.” To deter the public from taking photographs of the trapped individual, authorities cordoned off the area extensively, using a rescue blanket to obscure the view from outside the train.
Due to the length of the rescue, the train was evacuated, and passengers were provided with a replacement service to continue their journey.