On my way into work this morning I saw an awful accident. There were four vehicles involved. I was immediately behind the fourth car. As I was going down a hill toward a bridge that spans a small creek I saw the truck swerve into oncoming traffic. After hitting the three vehicles immediately in front of me it came to a stop in front of me in the middle of the road.
I immediately stopped and tried to call 911. I hit my hazards and jumped out of my Jeep. I looked at each vehicle to try to determine who was injured and would need attention. I went straight to the truck that started the accident. The driver was an older gentleman. I would say over 65, but I am not certain. He was saying over and over to help him out of the truck. I new there was no way I was going to get him out. I made sure nothing was burning, and kept trying to reassure him that he was ok. Fortunately the fire station is literally 200-300 yards up the road. I tried to assure him that he would be OK and to calm him as much as possible. He was definitely in shock.
Within a minute or two the Fire Dept showed up and went to work with the Jaws of Life. They were able to get him out after about 15 minutes. He was in a bad way and after a 30 second trip in an ambulance he was life flighted from the area. If anyone is inclined keep him in your prayers and thoughts. As well as everyone else who was in the accident.
I was unfortunate enough to be involved in a very similar accident 100 feet from were this accident occurred about 2 years ago. The only thing good that came from my accident was I learned to unicycle and found this forum and a lot of new friends.
Here is a picture of the vehicle just a minute after the fireman arrived. I got out of the way and let the Pros do their job. I waited around to fill out a witness report. Stuff like this happens so fast, it is hard to really understand what happened.
I took this picture and many others with my Treo 600. I am really pleased with the quality of the pictures it takes. Not anything like my real digital cameras, but good in a pinch. Great for snapshots.
This is also the reason why I could never consider riding to work! Accidents like this happen way to frequently for me to risk commuting by bike, uni even a motorcycle. Drive safe and be aware of the vehicles around you. The life you save could be your own.
I was in a 5 car pial up earlier this year. My younger brother was in the front seat luckily the airbag didn’t pop out. Though his eye did get splashed with scolding hot coffee.
I’m learning to drive right now, and our teacher has sooo many stories about car accidents. (some of which are kind of funny, like Darwin Awards style)
im also learning to drive right now and they keep showing us vids of like families who thier children died in car accidents, and the image they are trying to say is that “you will die if you are sixteen, there is no gowing around it, you will die.” they are trying to make us scared of driving.
Whooaaa, I’m glad I’m not in your class. But then again, in Idaho, you’re not allowed to practice driving with your parents. You can only do it at certain times, with the driving instructor. In a city about five miles away, they can drive with their parents, because it’s in a different state.
thats pretty bad. Here in virginia you have to be 15 and 6 months old before you can get your learners, and then its only 9 months after that when you can get your license. It’s really not fun, especially when you are the youngest one in your grade.
The reality is 16-18 year olds make up a disproportionate number of accidents. It is a combination of an attitude of invincibility and inexperience. This is the voice of experience. I had 7 accidents between 16-18. I paid for them all, as I did my car and insurance. Cars, and insurance cost me so much, that if I had never had a ticket or accident I could have paid cash for a brand new Corvette and paid the annual insurance easily. Once I figured that out, I got much more attentive, and didn’t have another accident for 16 years. My last accident cost me a 6 month old car, and $30,000 above and beyond my insurance limits. Accidents are no fun, and I hope none of you have to go through the hard lessons of life to figure that out.