Thousands celebrate in Meron: Two young people in serious condition from alcohol poisoning

May 26, 2016   

Since the Lag BaOmer celebrations in Meron began in honor of the Rashbi celebration and until 5:20 p.m., United Hatzalah volunteers treated 719 minor injuries from bruises, fainting, bee stings, heart problems, minor injuries, falls from heights, minor burns, and respiratory problems. Most of them were treated on the spot without the need for evacuation to a clinic/hospital. The data shows that the volunteers who were placed in teams throughout Moshav Meron, in the parking lots, and in the courtyard at Zion Rashbi treated 407 medical cases that did not require evacuation to a clinic. In addition, 214 medical cases have been treated so far at the United Hatzalah men's clinic, and 98 cases have been treated so far at the women's clinic. Several dozen people needed to be evacuated to the emergency room at the Ziv Medical Center in Safed. Among the evacuees: a 19-year-old with severe alcohol poisoning, who is hospitalized in serious condition, sedated and on a ventilator and being treated in the intensive care unit; a 40-year-old who was hit in the ribs and back in a minor condition; a 24-year-old tourist with severe abdominal pain. Among the evacuees was an unidentified 17-year-old girl with severe alcohol poisoning, who was treated in moderately serious condition. She was found unconscious in a hall, without identification. With the assistance of the police and rescue forces operating in Meron, the relatives of the girl - 17 years old from a religious settlement in the south - were located. Her condition is still classified as moderate-serious. The remaining patients are in mild condition and are suffering from chest pain, abdominal pain, and a general feeling of ill health. Yedidia Hazan, director of the United Hatzalah volunteer shift system during Lag BaOmer in Meron: "So far this year, the security operation has been conducted without any unusual incidents, with the exception of routine incidents that were handled with dedication by the hundreds of volunteers who came to secure the rebov in shifts around the clock. I have also assigned shifts for the next few hours until after midnight so that in any emergency, the volunteers who are on duty nearby will be called in and provide the fastest treatment. Some of the volunteers already participated in the security operation during the night and have now returned with renewed strength for another shift.".   United Hatzalah recommends that in the event of any medical emergency in Meron or while traveling, it is recommended to immediately call the United Hatzalah hotline 1221 (without the asterisk) to receive the fastest medical response from the nearest drivers. Members of the motorcycle unit and hundreds of volunteers who came from all over the country were deployed at the entrance to the settlement of Meron, in the Rashbi Zion, in the parking lots, on the streets of Moshav Meron, and in the various complexes in the Rashbi Zion. United Hatzalah Chairman Rabbi Ze'ev Keshash: "I urge you to avoid driving without sufficient sleep. In recent years, unfortunately, we have witnessed serious traffic accidents caused by fatigue in drivers returning home from Meron. I recommend avoiding traveling in private vehicles as much as possible, and making sure to stop for refreshments." United Hatzalah CEO Moshe Teitelbaum: "I would like to thank the hundreds of doctors, paramedics and medics who volunteer at United Hatzalah who came from all over the country and have so far taken part in the security and medical assistance system for the tens of thousands of immigrants to commemorate the Rashbi in Meron. "Security activities will continue until the end of Shabbat due to the expectation that thousands will be in Meron this coming Shabbat as well.".  • The news was updated at 17:22