Dealing with Car Crashes: My Personal Experiences
Car crashes can be traumatic events, especially when they happen in your own neighborhood. As someone who has experienced multiple car crashes, I have had to handle each aftermath in a series of orchestrated and sometimes spontaneous actions. My most vivid recollection is from my childhood, and it's quite an amusing story now that I reflect on it!
A Childhood Encounter with Car Crashes
As a young child, I witnessed a car crash from my apartment living room window. A car had hit a telephone pole in a head-on collision. My mother, who was nearby, said the woman might have just broken her nose. However, as a child, I couldn't fathom how a nose could be broken. Years later, I had a deviated septum corrected, and perhaps that incident provided the real education on how a nose can indeed be broken!
Witnessing a Drunken Crash at a Dinner Party
One memorable experience occurred during a dinner party. After finishing our meal, we heard a car crash. We rushed outside to find an upside-down car on its roof. The men present helped extricate a very drunk and naked man from the vehicle. He was unhurt, and simply got his clothes on with the help of our group. They then waited for the police to arrive. Yes, the crash involved a completely intoxicated driver!
Three Car Crash Experiences
I've had the unfortunate experience of witnessing and dealing with three car crashes in my neighborhood. Each one presented a unique challenge and required a different set of actions.
First Car Crash
It happened about 1000 meters from my home. I saw it happen in front of me. I rendered first aid to one driver, asked others to assist the other driver, and another person to call 000 (the emergency number for police, ambulance, and fire brigade). I ensured the injured person was not in imminent danger and recorded vital signs, which I passed on to the ambulance officers. At home, I wrote a detailed statement and handed it over to the local police station.
Second Car Crash
The second crash occurred close to my house. I only became aware when I heard a helicopter landing in the park next to me. When I went outside to see, the local fire brigade had cut the car apart and loaded the driver's seat into the helicopter to transport the driver to a trauma hospital. A baby asleep in an infant capsule in the rear seat did not wake up during the experience, which was quite a unique and surreal ride to the hospital.
Third Car Crash
The third crash took place about 150 meters from my home. In this instance, I spoke to the police who secured a nearby park for a helicopter to land. The helicopter was there to collect a person who had ridden a stolen motorcycle into a bollard and sustained fatal head injuries. I did not remain to witness the aftermath, but the incident left a lasting impression.
Living in a Rural Setting
I live on a rural route, and cars, pick-ups, and trucks often slide on icy roads, leading to crashes with power and phone poles. To stay connected and remain online during such emergencies, I keep my phone tethered and set up a mobile hotspot, ensuring I can stay in touch with my computer and provide necessary assistance.
Dealing with car crashes is a sobering experience, but being prepared and knowing the right steps to take can make a significant difference. Whether it's offering first aid, calling emergency services, or staying connected, these actions can help mitigate the severity of the situation and ensure everyone's safety.