Twin Cities Hospitals Report Storm-Related Injuries

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Twin Cities area hospitals are reporting a number of injuries and health problems related to the winter storm over the weekend.

According to spokesperson Christine Hill, Hennepin County Medical Center reported that a few people arrived to their emergency room complaining of chest pains during and after they had shoveled snow. Others reported aches and pains from shoveling.

Also, two patients were received who were showing signs of exposure.

Meanwhile, Regions Hospital in St. Paul treated 14 patients over snow or cold weather-related incidents on Sunday, bringing the two-day total to 26. Five were expected to be admitted to the hospital.

According to spokesperson Jeff Shelman, the majority of the patients had been hurt from slipping and falling. A few patients had been hurt in car accidents, and still others experienced shortness of breath or chest pains from shoveling.

Regions Hospital said that one of the patients they received had suffered a heart attack.

In St. Cloud, a 55-year-old man died of a heart attack after he collapsed while snow-blowing his driveway, police said.

Douglas Munneke collapsed at his home at about 2:30 p.m. Saturday. He had stopped snow-blowing about halfway through the job and entered his home, where he asked for help and then collapsed.

He had a history of heart problems, police said.