A stretcher is provided that may include a patient support, a base, a connection member being pivotally connected to the patient support and pivotally connected to the base such that the patient support, the base, and the connection member can form a Z-shape with a first angle at the corner of the Z-shape between the patient support and the connection member and a second angle at the other corner of the Z between the base and the connection member, a first angle adjustment device for controlling the first angle, and a second angle adjustment device for controlling the second angle such that the first angle adjustment device and the second angle adjustment device can be operated independently of each other. A method of loading and unloading a stretcher from an ambulance is also provided.
