Paramedics Turn “Souper” Heroes in Bizarre Raccoon Rescue

In North Little Rock, Arkansas, a routine EMS shift turned into an unexpected animal rescue when a raccoon with a soup can stuck on its head scurried past a parked ambulance. Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services paramedic Stewart Uzzell and his partner hadn’t even left the lot when they noticed the struggling creature heading toward traffic.

With its fur tightly wedged inside the can, the raccoon couldn’t free itself — and rescuers feared it might be suffocating. Using tools normally reserved for human emergencies, the crew carefully cut the can open with shears and a ring cutter from their ambulance.

Uzzell said the raccoon stayed surprisingly calm during the rescue, sensing help was at hand. Once freed, the masked critter dashed off — no worse for wear.

“It’s about helping something in distress,” Uzzell said. “If you can lend a hand, do so.”

A true can-do story.