Abstract: A stretcher for transporting patients, comprising a rest plane (2) for supporting a patient in a substantially lying position, and means for raising (3, 35) for raising the rest plane (2) with respect to the surface on which the stretcher (1) is resting, comprising at least two distinct support elements (3) which rest on a ground surface, each of which is connected to the rest plane (2) such as to be able to move, independently of the other thereof, between a respective closed position and a respective open position, such that when both the support elements (3) are in a closed position, the rest plane (2) is supported at a lower height, and when both the support elements (3) are in an open position, the rest plane (2) is supported at a greater height, and motor means (35) for moving the support elements (3) from the respective closed positions into the respective open positions, such as to raise the rest plane (2).