'First on scene' at a nasty smash.
Discussion
After Saturday, I have a new found respect for all members of the emergency services. I don't know how you do it.
On the way back from the pub, a friend and I rounded a corner to see 2 cars - a Ford Galaxy, with all the panels on the front end either crumpled or pealed off, and another car - on its roof. I couldn't tell what it was, it was very badly mashed. There were bits of this car for about 200 yards in every direction - in trees, on the road. Everywhere. My friend and I were the first on the scene, so he made sure the people in the Galaxy were OK (a couple, theyre young son, and their 3 month old baby) and put them in his car to keep warm, whilst I ran over to 'Mr Upside-down'. As I approached, I could hear the whole road surface fizzing, presumably from the friction. I had to stand on bits of his car to get to him, but as I approached he started climbing out of the (now rather narrow!) window. He was incredibly shaken, unsurprisingly. He was walking as if he were absolutely hammered, but I think he was just in shock and presumably may have clouted his head. He was speaking in a slurred fashion and really couldn't walk properly. I checked him over and he wasn't bleeding (externally at least) so I sat him down in another car (not the same one as the other driver!) I had already asked the other driver (who was OK) to phone for an ambulance, but he didn't know where he was, so I took the phone and gave them the details. They then started asking me questions about spillages, casualties etc etc etc. So I had a staggering guy under one arm and a mobile in the other. Once the Police arrived they took control of the situation whilst my friend and I made our way down the lines of car waiting in either direction, telling them all a different route to their destination. I was amazed at the number of people who were happy to walk around, looking into the smashed car, despite my trying to shoe them back - I couldn't smell any petrol, but there could well have been some.
Once the fire service arrived I gave them a hand to flip the car back over and pick up the bits - there were speakers, CDs, clothes - the lot, all scattered over the road and in nearby trees. It turned out to be a Clio, with big alloys and a bit of a sound system in it. From what the other driver told me, the kid (he was 18) had come around the bend doing well over a ton, lost the back end and clipped a tree, sending him flipping down the road, via the front of their car, fianlly coming to rest on his roof.
I have the utmost respect for all the services that arrived - they all just handled it, completely calmly amd whilst I was OK at the time, I was in bits afterwards - it hit me quite hard and all I could think of was how it could have been my girlfriend in the car that was hit, and how her Corsa probably wouldn't have taken the hit as well as the Galaxy did. How they all do this day in and day out I don't know, but whatever they're paid, it isn't enough.
>>> Edited by Mad Dave on Monday 7th February 10:02
On the way back from the pub, a friend and I rounded a corner to see 2 cars - a Ford Galaxy, with all the panels on the front end either crumpled or pealed off, and another car - on its roof. I couldn't tell what it was, it was very badly mashed. There were bits of this car for about 200 yards in every direction - in trees, on the road. Everywhere. My friend and I were the first on the scene, so he made sure the people in the Galaxy were OK (a couple, theyre young son, and their 3 month old baby) and put them in his car to keep warm, whilst I ran over to 'Mr Upside-down'. As I approached, I could hear the whole road surface fizzing, presumably from the friction. I had to stand on bits of his car to get to him, but as I approached he started climbing out of the (now rather narrow!) window. He was incredibly shaken, unsurprisingly. He was walking as if he were absolutely hammered, but I think he was just in shock and presumably may have clouted his head. He was speaking in a slurred fashion and really couldn't walk properly. I checked him over and he wasn't bleeding (externally at least) so I sat him down in another car (not the same one as the other driver!) I had already asked the other driver (who was OK) to phone for an ambulance, but he didn't know where he was, so I took the phone and gave them the details. They then started asking me questions about spillages, casualties etc etc etc. So I had a staggering guy under one arm and a mobile in the other. Once the Police arrived they took control of the situation whilst my friend and I made our way down the lines of car waiting in either direction, telling them all a different route to their destination. I was amazed at the number of people who were happy to walk around, looking into the smashed car, despite my trying to shoe them back - I couldn't smell any petrol, but there could well have been some.
Once the fire service arrived I gave them a hand to flip the car back over and pick up the bits - there were speakers, CDs, clothes - the lot, all scattered over the road and in nearby trees. It turned out to be a Clio, with big alloys and a bit of a sound system in it. From what the other driver told me, the kid (he was 18) had come around the bend doing well over a ton, lost the back end and clipped a tree, sending him flipping down the road, via the front of their car, fianlly coming to rest on his roof.
I have the utmost respect for all the services that arrived - they all just handled it, completely calmly amd whilst I was OK at the time, I was in bits afterwards - it hit me quite hard and all I could think of was how it could have been my girlfriend in the car that was hit, and how her Corsa probably wouldn't have taken the hit as well as the Galaxy did. How they all do this day in and day out I don't know, but whatever they're paid, it isn't enough.
>>> Edited by Mad Dave on Monday 7th February 10:02
Don said:
Dave.
Well done for helping, mate. I was witness (and first on scene) at a prang just before Christmas and it really shook me up afterwards.
You did a great job.
The feeling of relief when the professionals turn up is just unbelievable, isn't it? God bless 'em.
I read about yours at the time mate and thought of you last night when I was trying to help out. You're right though, it is a huge relief. I was really surprised how shaken up I was afterwards - my friend was driving us so he had to concentrate, but I had some thinking time in the car and I ended up teary eyed, but I didn't even know why - it was just a load of unexplainable emotions, all coming out at once. It was really surprising as I felt fine at the scene, and felt pleased that I could help out a bit. I think the thing that hit me, was when I ran over to the car I really thought I find either a collection of body parts, or a badly injured person(s) and all I could think of was "shit, i'll never remember the first aid course I did a few years ago". I was amazed when this seamingly fine guy started dragging himself out!
I don't think my friend slept much that night either - he had to stay alert until he got home, but he tells me it hit him once he settled down.
Respect to the boys in blue/green/black!
LOLTonyrec said:
Thanks Dave but you deserve a pat on the back for what you did.....a lot of people wouldnt have bothered.
Well done.
Sounds like the clio driver is lucky to alive and lucky not to be looking at doing some bird for what could have involved fatalities....
Be safe when
everyone. Cheers.
Steve
Well done.
I too 'assisted' at an accident late on Saturday night on the M4. A BMW had gone hard into the central reservation barrier, and as I stopped and got out to look from the safety of the hard shoulder whether the occupants were still in the car, they came down from the grass verge behind me, (a young couple) fortunately both were reasonably ok.
Rather worryingly, the police quite took some time (well over 30 mins in my estimation) to arrive - it was lucky nobody was trapped, the driver had called them from his car before getting out and crossing the carriageway, and I called again to make sure they had logged the call.
Anyway, despite the damaged car's hazard lights (and mine) flashing, and with gravel and debris over the road, trucks and cars still drove past without noticably easing-up.
The young lady was rather shaken and had hurt her arm, and as it was raining heavily, I suggested she should sit in my car - I know you're told to get up on the verge well off the hard-shoulder, but she was not feeling very happy, and I thought she might be more comfortable sitting in the dry.
One thing though, my son (who has also helped out in a similar situation) told me that if you put an injured person in your car, and the emergency services decide that there's the possibility of spinal injuries, they may well remove the roof of your car to avoid further complications
something to think about!
I too 'assisted' at an accident late on Saturday night on the M4. A BMW had gone hard into the central reservation barrier, and as I stopped and got out to look from the safety of the hard shoulder whether the occupants were still in the car, they came down from the grass verge behind me, (a young couple) fortunately both were reasonably ok.
Rather worryingly, the police quite took some time (well over 30 mins in my estimation) to arrive - it was lucky nobody was trapped, the driver had called them from his car before getting out and crossing the carriageway, and I called again to make sure they had logged the call.
Anyway, despite the damaged car's hazard lights (and mine) flashing, and with gravel and debris over the road, trucks and cars still drove past without noticably easing-up.
The young lady was rather shaken and had hurt her arm, and as it was raining heavily, I suggested she should sit in my car - I know you're told to get up on the verge well off the hard-shoulder, but she was not feeling very happy, and I thought she might be more comfortable sitting in the dry.
One thing though, my son (who has also helped out in a similar situation) told me that if you put an injured person in your car, and the emergency services decide that there's the possibility of spinal injuries, they may well remove the roof of your car to avoid further complications
something to think about!What was going on this weekend. I had to attend to a Moped rider who drove into the back of a car, and then my mate helping me move house had to help a couple of old dears that came together at a junction !!!!!
The moped rider was thankfully ok, just very shaken up. bike was a bit of a mess though and the poor girly whose car he hit was in almost as bigger state as the rider..
G
The moped rider was thankfully ok, just very shaken up. bike was a bit of a mess though and the poor girly whose car he hit was in almost as bigger state as the rider..
G
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