Shaken

[DJ]

The meaning of life was just shown to me. I just witnessed the end of one, I think.<br /><br />I saw, through my rear view mirror, a horrific event.<br /><br />I was caught, in the intersection, following a slow moving truck. I was trying to go through, and was committed. I watched the yellow light come on. As soon as the truck cleared, I went through.<br /><br />I watched, in my rear view mirror as a Honda hatchback blew through the red light-behind me.<br /><br />I saw him get T-boned by another car doing at least 45 (light green) from the 45 degree direction, to his left. Needless to say, it hit him in the drivers door.<br /><br />I stayed with the young man, I was first on the scene, until a nurse arrived, right behind me. I DID NOT find a pulse, no matter where I checked. The nurse gave me the "knowing nod", that there was no life there.<br /><br />I stayed and gave the Police Officers, my account. It happens so fast, the Police were there within three minutes and ambulances within five.<br /><br />Dear God, I want to vomit. He was at fault, yet, there is no realizing the depth of what you will feel until you witness it, first hand.<br /><br /><br />God Bless him.

 

[DJ]

Re: Shaken

As an addendum.<br /><br />BE SAFE OUT THERE. Use your signals and DON'T run red lights.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Shaken

bummer<br /> I know that feeling as well. its a terrible feeling.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Shaken

Been down that road while in the service, its a lot different being around death in real life than watching it on TV. This is the sort of thing that makes you realize the things a person gets worked up over really means little in comparison to the big picture.

 

[QC]

Re: Shaken

I have been first on scene to two deaths and given CPR to both . . . I understand how you feel. One of them was a 16 year old whose Dad had just rented him a SeaDoo. That one was tough.

 

[DJ]

Re: Shaken

rodbolt,<br /><br />Sorry, I need to talk about this. I've been around death before. Just not as personal and up close. <br /><br />I felt "helpless".

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Shaken

Sorry to hear about that DJ. It's one thing to arrive at an accident scene after it has occured. All the carnage in the world never bothered me that way. But it's an entirely different thing to actually witness it. It's very hard to get those images out of your mind. And BTW, thanks for stopping and doing what you could. I know it wasn't an easy thing to do.

 

[Vlad D Impeller]

Re: Shaken

Gee! what an aweful to have happen

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Shaken

At least you tried to help. When I wrecked my truck almost 2 years ago several people behind me and more coming towards me who clearly saw the accident just kept driving like nothing happened. <br /><br />I had to call 911 for a man that was already dead a few years ago. He flipped his car and there were already 4-5 people trying to help, but no one had a phone. I called and waited for the ambulence to come but it was obvious he was gone.

 

[dtherrien]

Re: Shaken

i hate to say it,but so many people dont drive according to the rules of the road. I do a fare amount of driving, depending where are job is, and i would say at least 80% of the drivers are mourons.<br />dj....one weekend going on a camping trip to welsley island on the st.lawrence.I saw a man and his son riding side by side motorcycles,behind a tractor trailer.The man decides to pull out and pass the truck (two lane road...speed 55-60).As soon as he pulls out he hits a pickup truck headon.He was in bad shape when we got up to him...i wont even tell you what he looked like.But thats only one of many crashes i see..at least monthly.

 

[FSHKPR]

Re: Shaken

Hang in there DJ and thanks for stopping. i witnessed a head on collision once a small chevette with a semi trailer. I wish i would never have checked the driver of the car. that image will be with me till the day i die.

 

[technostingray]

Re: Shaken

EDIT: Inappropriate comment deleted.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Shaken

Been down that road while in the service, its a lot different being around death in real life than watching it on TV. This is the sort of thing that makes you realize the things a person gets worked up over really means little in comparison to the big picture.<br /><br />

My comments exactly.<br /><br />Bob

 

[magster65]

Re: Shaken

DJ<br />I understand how you feel and it's good to talk about it. Get it out. I've unfortunately witnessed 2 crashes resulting in death. One involving a single car where it was passing me on the outside of a bend... he lost control and hit the steel lamp standard with his drivers door. It was in front of the fire hall and the first responders were there in under a minute. The 19 year old driver died of massive head injuries shortly after they did an emergency trachiotomy (sp?) on him. It wasn't pretty. The next one we were on a road trip and a fella rode up next to us on a new CB 900 Honda. We exchanged a nod and I gave him thumbs up on a nice bike. 30 seconds later a full size Pontiac wagon ran a red light right in front of the rider. His brake light went on but it was too late, he t-boned the thing so hard it spun it around twice. He died as my buddy and I were telling him everything was going to be ok. These experiences stay with you and make up part of who you are and I bet, like myself, you will be much more careful with the things you do in your day to day life. We are fragile beings. Go hug someone you love.<br />God bless.

 

[JB]

Re: Shaken

Sad, DJ. To see, or hold a warm body that is just a carcass and no longer a human being is a terrible experience. <br /><br />I am still haunted by a boy I watched die fifty years ago. I don't know whether it matters where you are. . . on a battlefield you must expect it, but when it jumps out at you unexpected it will rattle your cage pretty thoroughly.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Shaken

I have nothing I can add to this except to say we are here to listen. Death is so isolating and cold to the soul. It changes everyone involved. Share when you want.

 

[Parrott_head]

Re: Shaken

DJ,<br /><br />I once helped pull an injured man from a vehicle that was on fire. We got him to safety on the shoulder of the road but he did not survive.<br /><br />It was noble of you to go to that man's aid. So many others would have just kept on driving or pulled over and become a spectator.<br /><br />It makes life just that much more precious and makes all of us aware of how quickly our fate can change.<br /><br />You may want to send an arrangment to his services with a note to the family explaining who you are.<br /><br />I had a conversation with the widow of the man that I had tried to save. I think it helped her a bit to know that he died with people trying their best to help him.

 

[deputydawg]

Re: Shaken

DJ...I know exactly how you feel. You feel just like you are supposed to feel. I have been there too many times to want to remember. I remember all of the names, even though the faces are fading. Did you get a chance to talk to him at all? I have found that this does help them in their passing. I have held people knowing they were going, just talking to them and letting them know someone is there seems to bring peace to them even when they are not responsive. Maybe it just brings me peace.<br /><br />Anyway, talk all you need to here and to friends or loved ones, it will help. If it doesn't help then go talk a professional. That will help more than you will ever think. Watch yourself for some of the signs of what people go through after this kind of experience. Dirty feelings, obsessive washing, unusual things that at the time will sound normal to you. But above all, talk to people about it and if religious pray about it and for the victim and his family.<br /><br />One comfort and something to make sure you yourself know, there was nothing you could do. Life played a cruel joke placing you there helpless. I too know the helpless feeling. <br /><br />I am sorry to hear you are going through this. Remember your not alone, talk all you need to and a little more. In time what your feeling will go away. You will never be over it, but you will be past it.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Shaken

""

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Shaken

DJ, been there myself with a 16 year old girl that had wrecked. Held her in my arms and watched her die. Helpless with nothing to be done.<br /><br />It will hang with me forever.