This one's for the record
It was 5am and I was the last in the convoy of vehicles cruising along the SLE. What I had not expected even if I put my life on it was that a speeding truck smashed into the back of our Rover and sent it spinning out of control. According to witnesses the truck followed through after a distance and smashed into it again on the right side, sending it into another spin.
I had no idea of the second hit, I was bracing myself for the vehicle to flip a few times from the impact and petrified with the possibility of being fatally injured right there and then. When the Rover finally came to a halt I was shaken but more relieved that the vehicle did not overturn and that I was not injured or dead yet. The truck had also came to a stop behind us, with it’s front almost totally smashed.
But my worry was far from over. My young driver, who told me before we left camp this was his first driving assignment, was slumped on his seat motionless. I was not hurt so I quickly get out of mine and went over to the other side to get a better access to him to check on his injuries and extricate him out but the door wouldn't budge.
To make matters worse, the fuel tank was spilling fuel all over the bottom of the vehicle. Rescuers sprinted from the vehicles before us and attempted to open the door. At that moment it seemed like the worst could have happened, which was the fuel catching fire. I climbed back into the seat beside my colleague and helped him out though the other way. It was the last choice in mind as he seemed to have suffered injuries to the neck and it was preferable his neck was immobilized before moving him, but I had to before the two of us end up cooked in a fireball in the middle of the expressway.
To make this account short after being retold countless times this morning we were eventually hurried to the hospital and were discharged today. Nothing was broken in both of us, however I was put on strong painkillers for the pain in my back and my young ward went home with a neck collar.
All of this seems almost unreal if not for the reason I'm home because I was taken out the exercise and the nagging pain I have in my upper back when I move too much. Was told the back of the Rover was smashed and if anyone was behind it he will be as well. Just before moving off I offered my front seat to a more senior colleague, which he kindly refused. If he had taken my offer, I would have been at back of the vehicle and then eventually a casualty. And also if I had not made a last minute decision not to bring another young instructor along he would have been the one.
This one's for the record, fresh from my memory. I was stolen from death and I thank God I'm still alive today.
I had no idea of the second hit, I was bracing myself for the vehicle to flip a few times from the impact and petrified with the possibility of being fatally injured right there and then. When the Rover finally came to a halt I was shaken but more relieved that the vehicle did not overturn and that I was not injured or dead yet. The truck had also came to a stop behind us, with it’s front almost totally smashed.
But my worry was far from over. My young driver, who told me before we left camp this was his first driving assignment, was slumped on his seat motionless. I was not hurt so I quickly get out of mine and went over to the other side to get a better access to him to check on his injuries and extricate him out but the door wouldn't budge.
To make matters worse, the fuel tank was spilling fuel all over the bottom of the vehicle. Rescuers sprinted from the vehicles before us and attempted to open the door. At that moment it seemed like the worst could have happened, which was the fuel catching fire. I climbed back into the seat beside my colleague and helped him out though the other way. It was the last choice in mind as he seemed to have suffered injuries to the neck and it was preferable his neck was immobilized before moving him, but I had to before the two of us end up cooked in a fireball in the middle of the expressway.
To make this account short after being retold countless times this morning we were eventually hurried to the hospital and were discharged today. Nothing was broken in both of us, however I was put on strong painkillers for the pain in my back and my young ward went home with a neck collar.
All of this seems almost unreal if not for the reason I'm home because I was taken out the exercise and the nagging pain I have in my upper back when I move too much. Was told the back of the Rover was smashed and if anyone was behind it he will be as well. Just before moving off I offered my front seat to a more senior colleague, which he kindly refused. If he had taken my offer, I would have been at back of the vehicle and then eventually a casualty. And also if I had not made a last minute decision not to bring another young instructor along he would have been the one.
This one's for the record, fresh from my memory. I was stolen from death and I thank God I'm still alive today.
posted by stanley at 4:15 PM
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