Traumatised

[Counterparts]

As some of you may be aware, I've recently got my motorbike back after it was stolen last October.

Saturday was nice & sunny (if somewhat windy) so made for a very pleasant ride out to Cheddar Gorge (nice cup of Earl Grey tea by the waterfall in the sunshine).

Heading back into Bath on the A39 nr Corston

http://streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=375 ... newmap.srf

I witnessed the most horrific accident I've ever personally seen. About 600 yards ahead of me, a car (travelling very fast) pulls out to overtake and immediately collides head-on with another coming the other way. I'd estimate the combined speed at about 120-130 mph.

The non-overtaking car was completely smashed up and was thrown clear of the road on the other side. The car with the moron behind the wheel spun 'round several times and then burst into flames! An off-duty police officer who was in a car about half-way between me and the accident leaps out of his car and proceeds to run towards the burning vehicle to try to drag the man out.

Incredibly brave bloke, whoever he was - the car was completely engulfed in flames some 30 feet high! Must've been really hot that close to the car. I went over and chatted with his wife and two kids (who were all very distraught). She was terrified that the car was about to explode and was screaming for her husband to get away from the car. I explained that it was unlikely, as it was clear that the petrol tank had split and the petrol was burning freely (petrol actually needs very specific conditions for it to explode).

Incredibly, the man (along with another who'd joined in) managed to get the guy clear of the car and drag him away and then the emergency services turned up.

My feelings go out to the unfortunate person(s) who were simply driving along minding their own business until this idiot very probably ended their lives with his reckless behaviour. I was well upset afterwards and took it *very* easy going home. Can't say that I'll ever get into a car again after witnessing that

Royston

[Spirit]

That's a terrible story, and a tragedy as always for those affected by the idiocy or negligence of others...

Sounds like you're still in a bit of shock. My sympathy really, no doubt they will be images that will stay with you.

Random chance or "acts of God" (as they used to say) can take any one of us at any time. The Human Condition...

[Immanuel]

I am sorry to read this Royston.
Indeed a bad experience. I have been in car acidents, but never anything lethal or even disabling (I was 1 meter lucky once - watching the car comming for almost 100 meters before the crash).

Anyway, your experience is truly something different - very bad. Only good thing I can see, is that it shows how humans can also be: The police officer and the other person risking their health and "ignoring" physical pain to save another persons life. But also your concern for the officer's family is a symbol of some very beautifull human qualities. That you - even in such a horrible situation - was able to care and take care of strangers, who, apearantly, where in an even worse situation than you. That is a very powerfull capacity.

I don't know how to say this the right way, so I hope it works. It is often very important for people, who react in your way (as I see it from reading your story) in the actual situation get to react later on. Some do it an hour later, some a week later, some even later. I can not realy see, if it has happened to you yet. If not, it may be good to know in advance, that it will likely be a scary experience. Fear, tears, frustration, anger, sadness are some of the feelings, that can arise in such an after-reaction. It is not comfortable (yeah, obvious, I know), but it is mostly a healthy respons even though the person experiencing them may fear for his/her sanity. It does not hit everybody with the same strenght, but it should hit you at some time (again, if it didn't already. I think it has, but I write this to be shure). In such a situation a person's basic trust in life as a given (like, it is there, and you don't doubt it in your daily life) resource gets disturbed.

Don't be shy to talk to your close friends and to write here. It can all help digesting the experience.

Immanuel

[Counterparts]

Cheers guys. I went straight 'round to a friends' house afterwards to talk about it and have a nice cup of tea (helps to sort out most problems, I find).

After the initial "what the ****?!" I found my first reaction to be ... pretty calm & rational, really. I quickly decided not to get involved with the vehicle itself (already people involved there, and additional bodies might have only confused matters, or potentially caused more casualties) which is why I wentover to the wife and kids to talk to them. Another biker turned up who was very helpful in that respect.

I got the emotional reaction riding back to Bath...pretty upsetting, like I said. After I finally got back home, I drew the curtains and lay there in the quiet & dark for a while...

Best regards again to the police officer & others who got stuck in - an incredible display of selflessness.

Royston

[garyb]

it can be rough out there.....

[Neil B]

Well done for assisting in the incident Counterparts.
I know what you must be going through and you can expect some delayed shock too - be ready for it and accept it.
When I worken down the mines I was a first aid leader as part of my job. I had a lot of delayed shock after an incident where I was unable to save someone's life - my first experience of losing someone. It was a few weeks later when I suddenly had the "flashback" and I broke my heart crying.
It'll fade for you though. Not wishing to sound gory, but coal mines were dangerous places and I've had to shovel the remains of an explosion accident up once. The meories DO fade.
I agree with Immanuel -let it all come out. Talk about it to friends when you need to - they'll understand.
You'll come through it - resilient folks us Brits!

On a slightly different angle - think of me on Wednesday folks. I was hit by a car on my mountain bike some 18 months ago. The court case is on Wednesday (British justice system). I hope to prove that he was 100% at fault (which he was) and get the adequate compensation for the damage to the bike (nearly £600).

Counterparts - you were out on a motorbike on Saturday?
Saturday was windy here too but Sunday was worse - Staffordshire was 70MPH winds and powercuts. Either you had better weather or you're barking
My bike stayed under lock and key for the weekend.

[alfonso]

When cars will be built that can't excede (max)speed limits will be too late. Advertising based on speed should be banned.
I hate the idea that stupidity kills someone that has no part...

[Nestor]

What can I say but being very sorry for this sad accident. I hope that now, all those which have been harmed can be better and return to normal life. I hope you too, can have a good emotional rest to digest the experience as much as possible, to avoid traumas later. I have to agree with my friends here, to let you go all your suffering and questioning out of your mind and heart for your all well begin.

Sometimes, when things of the like happen, I start wondering about all the pain of the world as a whole. I think about hospitals, asylums, wars, accidents, famine, everything… and am quite depressed.

Unfortunately, human unconsciousness is not just for a couple of guys, but for the whole mankind. There will be more accidents, more poor mentally disturbed people getting to asylums, more wards and famine…

I too have been in several accidents, some serious ones as well, were people have died; there are many questions rising from your heart, that will come up once and over again, regarding the sense of life itself. This makes you reflect a lot, and this is healthy as well.

I send you a big cuddle between human beings, and now, lets make of it a way for a better living… let’s search the REASON behind it, for which you had to witness it. I am not convinced, but absolutely sure that nothing happens in life just by chance, but for causes we have to discover. For me personally, those accidents and their serious spread of psychological pain and sufferings have made me think and defend ESSENSIAL things in life… simple, but moving things like:

*Love is more important than life
*Forgiveness is more important that my thoughts
*Collaboration is more important that egoism
*Friendship is more important than mistakes

[astroman]

tough one, Royston
well, at least you haven't been hit by something flying around, but this will probably remain as a memory that you were pretty close to THAT point.
Those things just burn in, but it can also make you stronger getting along with such situations, remembering the courageous guy.

I'm shure it will make you an even more conscious and aware rider.

As you describe the accident it looks like just one moment of unconcentration or daydreaming, whatever.

Right with your post here in Germany a court trial against a Mercedes driver is opened, who's suspected to have caused a deathly accident under full awareness.
Witnesses driving at 200 km/h reported to have been caught up 'pretty quickly' by that car (500PS) which was assumed to move at 250 km/h (in regular traffic), approching the car of a young mother and her daughter as close as 1 m.
She's assumed to be so shocked by the car appearing behind her that she lost control over her own vehicle and crashed into the trees.
Both mother and daughter died while the Mercedes driver continued his way...

You see, it can be even worse with people.

slightly moved, Tom

[hubird]

wish you strength Counterparts!