Sunflowers,
Unless you have picked up a dead or seriously unconcious person, you would not understand, but if it helps, think sleeping child. They are not helping you lift them at all, are bulky, and they tend to bend at the joints when you would rather they would not.
During my EMS days, I was supposed to pick up one end of a 13 year old who was nearly toxic from alcohol. She was not wearing a shirt, and had been sweating and vomiting. I placed my hands under her shoulders to lift her onto the stretcher, and when I tried to lift her, the shoulders flexed forward and her chest bent slightly in the center, and she slipped back to the floor. It was like picking up a slippery, heavy, rag doll.
Now, to this mixture, add:
1. Serious dose of panic
2. Generous amount of fear
3. 2 quarts of WTH have I done?
4. Double portion of "will I be caught"?
I feel sure that even with these factors, he could have picked her up with no problems, adrenelin is handy that way.
CyberPro