The case summarized Wheelchair user Anders Haukseth fell into the Levang river at Elvestien in Levanger when his wheelchair slipped on Saturday. Haukseth was unable to free himself from the chair, which became stuck in the icy water, and he was severely chilled before he was helped. Haukseth and other hikers believe there should be a fence along the path to prevent such accidents. Espen Lyngsaunet, engineer in Levanger municipality, says that the path is not operated in winter and that people must travel according to the conditions. The municipality cannot promise a fence, as ice in the river every winter will destroy it. The municipality has now set up barricades on the hiking path and will improve the path where Haukseth slipped into the river. On Saturday morning, Anders Haukseth was going to take a trip to the store and do some shopping. He put on his outer jacket and headed out the door with his electric chair. Little did he show that both he and the electric wheelchair would soon end up in the Levangerelva at Elvestien in Levanger. Called for help – I sensed that something was wrong. It was slippery under the chair. So I had no chance. The chair slid over and I ended up straight in the water, Haukseth recalls. His chair got stuck in the icy water, and Haugset couldn’t get free. Anders Haukseth’s electric wheelchair got stuck in the river and he had to have the help of the emergency services to get back up. Photo: Hanne Bernhardsen Nordvåg / news It was useless to remove the belt he had around him, it was completely stuck. – I tried to get hold of my mobile too, but it didn’t work either. So I started shouting, hoping someone would hear me, says Haukseth. The cold water reached up to his neck. When he finally got help to get out of the water, he was severely chilled. Want a fence Elvestien in Levanger is a popular hiking trail. The roughly 3 km long hiking trail runs along the Levangerelva in the middle of Levanger town centre. Today, only parts of the path have a fence. There are only parts of the river that today have a fence. Photo: Adrian Tørring Haug / Camerat – I was very relieved when I was found, and I got up from the water. It is dangerous down there, and it has been like that for many years, says Haukseth. He points out that it has long been difficult to move in the area with a wheelchair, and that there should be a fence along the path. Hiker Kari Rigmor Holten also believes the municipality must put up a fence. – There is a fence missing almost all the way. Now they have to step up, she says. Kari Rigmor Holten believes it is time for the municipality to put up fences along the path. Photo: Adrian Tørring Haug / Camerat Improves the path – First I want to say that this incident is very regrettable. Fortunately, it seems to be going well. I am very happy that it was hikers who noticed what happened, and that the emergency services were contacted, says Espen Lyngsaunet. He is an engineer in Levanger municipality, and is responsible for the municipality’s free area. – The Elvestien in Levanger is a hiking trail that is not operated in winter. This means that it is neither strewn nor plowed. Then you have to travel according to the conditions, and somewhat on your own responsibility, says Lyngsaunet. The municipality will now improve the path and fill in the pit where Anders slipped into the river. Espen Lyngsaunet cannot promise that there will be any fence. Photo: Adrian Tørring Haug / Camerat – The path has a pit here. It is in connection with the ice tunnel that was here a couple of weeks ago, says Lyngsaunet. The municipality has now set up barricades on the hiking trail. No fence But he can’t promise any fence, however. – There is ice in the river every winter. The huge amounts of ice will then destroy any fences, says Lyngsaunet. There is ice in the Levangerelva up to three times each winter. The municipality had to establish culverts when ice destroyed a bridge that crossed the river. Barricades have been set up along the path where Ander Haukseth slipped into the water last Saturday. Photo: Adrian Tørring Haug / Camerat – We have a lot of people in Levanger. If we put up a fence here, we may have to put up fences elsewhere as well, adds Lyngsaunet. Glad the cries were heard The emergency services as well as the Norwegian Air Ambulance and rescue helicopter SAR Queen assisted in the rescue operation on Saturday. – It could easily have been a fatal accident. It was luck that he stood as he did in the water. It would have been fatal if the wheelchair had tipped, emergency manager Birger Krogstad told news then. Anders Haugseth is doing well today. – I am incredibly happy that my cries were heard and that I got help so quickly, he concludes.
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Wheelchair user ended up in a river in Levanger – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
