A nasty business.
Discussion
At the weekend I paid my aging parents in Anglesey a visit. We travelled up on Friday during the day and travelled back on Sunday during the day - as I hate winter night driving for any distance.
On the Friday we had all but reached their home in most remote and rural corner of Anglesey when, at about half one in the afternoon, the nasty business occurred.
I had been following an HGV - very high sided - and loaded with livestock.
I'd been contemplating the overtake for a while (I am a PHer!) when I remarked to myself (quietly so as not to wake the dozing Mrs Don), "Blimey! He seems to be pushing on a bit!"
As I followed the HGV it seems a tad wobbly around its Centre of Gravity on some of the corners.
After a while we came to a long left hand bend with an odd camber well known to me. Just afterwards there is a hill leading up to a 40 limit - we were in a 60 limit (NSL).
So the HGV and I are doing about 50mph - that's all.
The HGV goes into the left hander, leans and tips over. It slides on its right hand side for some tens of yards before taking out a
off great chunk of stone wall with the driver's side of the cabin.
Understandably I gently brake to a halt as the lorry is now blocking the entire road. I was glad that, as ever, I had been maintaining an appropriate distance from the HGV and had no problem stopping.
I ask the Mrs for a mobile phone and call in the problem with ten seconds of it happening.
Since I had then become "responsible" for the scene I stayed and answered the Emergency Services questions, directed them to the scene and tried to manage communications.
Luckily a Nurse, who had been in a vehicle coming the other way, stopped to assist the stricken driver who was concious but trapped and could not turn off the still running engine. God bless her - I couldn't have done it.
Some chaps cleared the cabin of tree branches which had been thrust into the cabin with a saw and managed to get the engine turned off and talked to the guy. God bless them - people really are decent.
During this I am yelling into the phone any information that may prove useful - but I was heartily glad I didn't need to peer into the cabin.
The Emergency Services arrived within TWELVE to FIFTEEN minutes. It seemed like an Eternity to me at the time - but I can tell you - I was IMPRESSED! You just cannot understand the relief I felt when professionals arrived to take over. God bless them all. The road was closed overnight.
The poor cattle in the truck - I could hear some of them staggering about. I'm almost crying now thinking about the animals and the poor chap.
Lord knows why I'm typing all this - its a truly horrible memory. But maybe someone will read it and perhaps think carefully about pushing on a bit too hard in winter, with windy conditions and not crash - and that will have been worth it.
I couldn't bear to type this earlier.
On the Friday we had all but reached their home in most remote and rural corner of Anglesey when, at about half one in the afternoon, the nasty business occurred.
I had been following an HGV - very high sided - and loaded with livestock.
I'd been contemplating the overtake for a while (I am a PHer!) when I remarked to myself (quietly so as not to wake the dozing Mrs Don), "Blimey! He seems to be pushing on a bit!"
As I followed the HGV it seems a tad wobbly around its Centre of Gravity on some of the corners.
After a while we came to a long left hand bend with an odd camber well known to me. Just afterwards there is a hill leading up to a 40 limit - we were in a 60 limit (NSL).
So the HGV and I are doing about 50mph - that's all.
The HGV goes into the left hander, leans and tips over. It slides on its right hand side for some tens of yards before taking out a
off great chunk of stone wall with the driver's side of the cabin. Understandably I gently brake to a halt as the lorry is now blocking the entire road. I was glad that, as ever, I had been maintaining an appropriate distance from the HGV and had no problem stopping.
I ask the Mrs for a mobile phone and call in the problem with ten seconds of it happening.
Since I had then become "responsible" for the scene I stayed and answered the Emergency Services questions, directed them to the scene and tried to manage communications.
Luckily a Nurse, who had been in a vehicle coming the other way, stopped to assist the stricken driver who was concious but trapped and could not turn off the still running engine. God bless her - I couldn't have done it.
Some chaps cleared the cabin of tree branches which had been thrust into the cabin with a saw and managed to get the engine turned off and talked to the guy. God bless them - people really are decent.
During this I am yelling into the phone any information that may prove useful - but I was heartily glad I didn't need to peer into the cabin.
The Emergency Services arrived within TWELVE to FIFTEEN minutes. It seemed like an Eternity to me at the time - but I can tell you - I was IMPRESSED! You just cannot understand the relief I felt when professionals arrived to take over. God bless them all. The road was closed overnight.
The poor cattle in the truck - I could hear some of them staggering about. I'm almost crying now thinking about the animals and the poor chap.
Lord knows why I'm typing all this - its a truly horrible memory. But maybe someone will read it and perhaps think carefully about pushing on a bit too hard in winter, with windy conditions and not crash - and that will have been worth it.
I couldn't bear to type this earlier.
I was at the scene of a head on earlier this year, I did all I could to help, it was a harrowing experience to say the least. The chap we assisted sadly did'nt make the day. Thankfully you were at least there on the scene & you did what you could, hopefully it will be much appreciated by all concerened.
How these professionals do it every day I don't know.
These things happen just be safe in the knowledge you helped out.
How these professionals do it every day I don't know.
These things happen just be safe in the knowledge you helped out.
cptsideways said:
How these professionals do it every day I don't know.
Yes. I have the utmost respect for them. You just don't realise how valuable they are until they suddenly they're rushing to the rescue. I know we pay a lot of tax. AFAIC the bit that pays for the Ambulance teams, the Fire service (heavy equipment to get the guy out), and the cops (who managed the traffic, roadblocks, and relieved ME of the co-ordination job) is well worth it!
cptsideways said:
These things happen just be safe in the knowledge you helped out.
That's kind of you to say so. I was left feeling helpless and ashamed I couldn't do more - the other people there, including the nurse, really were stars.
purrfect said:
As one who is extremely concerned about the export and transport of livestock and the appalling way they are treated in general, do you know what happened to these poor cattle and their condition? Did you also note the livestock lorry company's name?
All I know is that they were well and whole before the accident and that after a number were dead (if one can believe the Liverpool Daily Post). I am certain a number lived through the prang - the sound of them struggling to their feet in the overturned lorry will be with me for a long, long time - I am uncertain as to to how many needed to be "put down".
I have no idea about which farm, transport company etc I'm afraid. In the heat of the moment and my relief to be able to hand over the responsibility for the scene I didn't take much in beyond what was necessary to deal with the immediate problem.
No Discretion said:
I'm still always split in my appreciation for the lengths some people will go to, to help others.....
and my disbelief at the lenghts some people will go to, not to either get involved or help in the slightest...
I think you've summed this up perfectly.
I really, really, really didn't want to be involved and was so, so, guiltily glad some people were there, prepared to be so "hands on" about the incident. The nurse, the chaps with the saws
I tried to do what I could bring myself to do.
I feel bad about it. I would have wished to have done more.
What I could do was get on the phone and at least I did that.
Doesn't make me feel much better, I can tell you...but at least I didn't run away.
All I can say is "RESPECT" to the people who can be so professional and deal with these things.
Big_M said:
Don - Poor you - what a truely horrible experience. Have a big virtual hug mate.
I would have been distraught about the animals - they had no choice in the matter - the driver was in control.
Good on you for hanging around.
You're such a sweetie, Mrs Big. Thanks for that. It does help. I feel shitty enough about it all at the moment.
I'll be posting crap in the morning I'm sure. Sorry everyone - but you've been a big help tonight.
purrfect said:
As one who is extremely concerned about the export and transport of livestock and the appalling way they are treated in general, do you know what happened to these poor cattle and their condition? Did you also note the livestock lorry company's name?
So we have a truckie probably in hospital, a fellow PHer shaken up after a pretty nasty experience (fair play to you Don, been there myself and its not nice), and all you worry about is the cows and getting the name of the transport firm?
Incidently, how would you like to see livestock transported?
Steve
In my prevous jobs, I had to undergo numerous First Aid courses and quite a few Fire Fighting Training Courses so I have a clearer picture of dealing with types of emergency situations, however even with the training it still can be very daunting when one has to react and apply the actions required to help in an emergeny situation.
You did good and you will constantly be thinking could I have done more...what if, etc etc....I think this is normal.
Two thing I can recommend to all people here is to take a Basic First Aid course as the training given could help you save someones life. Carry a fire extinguisher in your car and ask the local fire brigade to show you how to use it in regards to a vehicle fire.
You did good and you will constantly be thinking could I have done more...what if, etc etc....I think this is normal.
Two thing I can recommend to all people here is to take a Basic First Aid course as the training given could help you save someones life. Carry a fire extinguisher in your car and ask the local fire brigade to show you how to use it in regards to a vehicle fire.
Mark in Ireland said:
Two thing I can recommend to all people here is to take a Basic First Aid course as the training given could help you save someones life. Carry a fire extinguisher in your car and ask the local fire brigade to show you how to use it in regards to a vehicle fire.
Yep. I am going to have to do a First Aid course. It seems I am destined to be a witness to these things.
Second nasty prang directly in front of me in two years.
cptsideways said:Amen - if you ever hate your job, just think what some people have to do in their service to the rest of us...
How these professionals do it every day I don't know.
...then think about the obscene levels of paperwork their lords and masters have heaped on them as well...
...then think about what they get paid for it!
havoc said:
How these professionals do it every day I don't know.
Amen - if you ever hate your job, just think what some people have to do in their service to the rest of us...
...then think about the obscene levels of paperwork their lords and masters have heaped on them as well...
...then think about what they get paid for it!
Ooo I don't know...it's not as bad as that....
There's not many jobs I'd swap it for...at times it's like getting paid for a hobby...
I get to drive fast cars about the county and improve my driving skills on a daily basis. Get to deal with chavs and knobheads and sort em out. Help decent people stranded on motorways and following accidents...
and with the odd bit of overtime
, make in the region of £36k pa. My wife who deals with a more secretive side of policing makes £42k pa and doesn't have to go out in the cold some days..
The paperwork side of the job is a pain at times...but then only because the hands on/fast and exciting stuff is just that......Compared to many other jobs..the paperwork is only a small part of the working day.
As for lords and masters....I only see a Sergeant in the morning at our coffee and porridge briefings and don't see another rank higher for the rest of the day...only the county line is my boundary, to go where I like and do what I like...
That's it now ND - you realise that after that we won't take any more of your complaining! 
But seriously - we accept there is risk in your job, and some downsides as discussed. Quite a few of us wouldn't want the whole package. So you'd better enjoy your legal hooning around!!!
And give us some leeway when we engage in less legal (but still safe) hooning!!!
But seriously - we accept there is risk in your job, and some downsides as discussed. Quite a few of us wouldn't want the whole package. So you'd better enjoy your legal hooning around!!!
And give us some leeway when we engage in less legal (but still safe) hooning!!!
havoc said:
That's it now ND - you realise that after that we won't take any more of your complaining!
But seriously - we accept there is risk in your job, and some downsides as discussed. Quite a few of us wouldn't want the whole package. So you'd better enjoy your legal hooning around!!!
And give us some leeway when we engage in less legal (but still safe) hooning!!!
You'd be surprised at what the nice and sensible can get away with on the roads..
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