Truck containing body parts blocks RI street

[July 20, 2010]  PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- It's an innocent enough looking tractor-trailer, except for the fact that it's blocking a street in downtown Providence. But what's inside may give the heebie-jeebies to some.

A spokesman for medical instrument maker Smith & Nephew told The Providence Journal the truck contains human body parts as well as body parts models the company is using to demonstrate its endoscopic surgery instruments at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine meeting at the Rhode Island Convention Center.

The body parts, mostly isolated joints, are used so surgeons can get a feel for the company's instruments, or sharpen their skills.

The truck has been parked in the street with permission from the city since Tuesday and is scheduled to leave Friday.

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Information from: The Providence Journal, http://www.projo.com/

[Associated Press]

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