South by Southwest partiers are keeping EMS and local hospitals busy. And they say alcohol has a lot to do with it.
The EMS crews are working 12 hour shifts right now to keep up with the call volume.
Last night things started picking up at 9 p.m. Their last call was at 3:15 a.m. this morning. In all, they responded to 35 calls and took 20 people to the hospital. Last night, about the same. Compare that to a non-SXSW night and it's less than five. More like one or two calls.
They expect tonight to be the worst because of all the people who are in town.
FOX 7 spoke to the medical director at UMC Brackenridge who says if you want to stay out of the ER, don't overdo it with alcohol. They are seeing a lot of alcohol-related trauma including people falling, twisting an ankle, maybe cutting or bruising themselves, dehydration and run-ins with cars.
"Also, silly things, stepping out not noticing whether a light's red or green or have a walk signal and stepping out into traffic," said UMC Brackenridge Medical Director Chris Ziebell.
The doctor recommends taking a pedicab or taxi. EMS crews are using alternate transportation too. To weave through the crowds, they are relying on Polaris vehicles and motorcycles
Another issue that has come up is motorcycle wrecks. The ER doc thinks maybe that's also because of alcohol.
Wednesday, March 13 2013 11:42 AM EDT2013-03-13 15:42:07 GMT
TMZ executive producer Harvey Levin was in Austin over the weekend to talk about the future of internet and TV and, quite possibly, the merging of these two mediums. The head of the celebrity news insider
TMZ executive producer Harvey Levin was in Austin over the weekend to talk about the future of internet and TV and, quite possibly, the merging of these two mediums. The head of the celebrity news insider
Wednesday, March 13 2013 11:40 AM EDT2013-03-13 15:40:36 GMT
As SXSW expands, so does the Austin food truck scene. This year, several new mobile food carts are making their way around downtown. Street Treats carts were created by Mobile Loaves and Fishes, a non-profit
As SXSW expands, so does the Austin food truck scene. This year, several new mobile food carts are making their way around downtown. Street Treats carts were created by Mobile Loaves and Fishes, a non-profit
The band Six60 came all the way from New Zealand to play at SXSW this year. On Wednesday they stopped by Good Day Austin to perform. Watch some of that performance here.
Director Alex Winter joined Good Day Austin to talk about his film Downloaded: The Music Industry in the Digital Age which is playing at SXSW. The film looks at the revolution in the music industry that started when Napster allowed fans to easily share music without paying for it.
Director Lily Keber joined Good Day Austin to talk about her film Bayou Maharajah: The Tragic Genius James Booker. The film chronicles the life Booker as he faced discrimination for his race, sexuality and physical handicap as well as his substance abuse. More info at http://bayoumaharajah.com/
The movie plays Thursday, March 14 at 4:00PM at Topfer Theatre at Zach Scott and Friday at 7:00PM at Alamo Ritz
Director Jeffrey Schwarz stopped by Good Day to discuss his film I am Divine which chronicles the life of Harris Glenn Milstead better known as the drag queen Divine.
Director Jeffrey Schwarz stopped by Good Day to discuss his film I am Divine which chronicles the life of Harris Glenn Milstead better known as the drag queen Divine. Screening times - Wednesday 3/13 - 9:30pm - Stateside Theatre Thursday 3/14 - 11:15am - SXSatellite: Alamo Slaughter
