Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: JamesV6CDX on 27 December 2007, 22:44:17
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I've been in a few crap situations in the 7 years I've been driving, but I've never, ever come across anything like this in my life.
I wasn't involved in any way, but tonight I witnessed first hand an extremely serious RTA involving two cars. I believe it was between a Pug 307 and a Citroen Saxo, but the cars were literally unrecognisable.
The accident happened between Caldicot and Newport. The Pug was the culprit, it contained three lads, coming from the opposite direction, at breakneck speed. Just lost control on the bend, and literally wiped out the Saxo (And it's teenage law abiding female driver)
A group of us ran out to both of the wreckages to try and help, and call the services. Unfortunately I doubt the lads in the Pug in the have a chance, I have never seen such a mess of a car and when the fire service arrived they were cutting it open. One man was spraying that car with a fire extinguisher before they arrived, lots of smoke.
While they were helping the pug, I focused my attention on the other car. The Saxo, whilst in a severe mess, was not quite as bad, and we were able to get the girl (who was driving alone) free of the car. She was in an extremely bad way too, definately had a broken leg, and difficulty breathing and keeping concious. Thankfully I am first aid trained, and I was able to use my first aid skills as best as I could until the rapid response paramedic arrived. They told me I did right, which is a reassurance. She is in a critical condition with suspected internal injuries, I will be praying for her.
I'm really shaken up, thought it might help to note it down. Also good to note down asap at the time, because it's fresh in mind, and I'm likely to want to refer to it when talking to police.
It's changed my mind about joining the Force too. Whilst I think I acted really well at the scene, it's really eating into me now and it's not something I will ever forget. It's not something I think I could do regularly. Trafpol is clearly not about driving fast cars, there are some extremely grim aspects.
I have passed on my details to one of the attending officer that requested them. He took notes from me at the time, but he said I may need to be contacted again.
Please think about killing your speed - it only takes something like this and it can all be over. Also, please pray for the victims, especially the innocent young lady.
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bloody hell you have been in a few situations of late James, most exciting thing to happen to me on the roads is almost / hopefull not get done by a speed van!
Makes me feel bit more secure being in a BIG car, but point taken :y
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Never a nice situation to be in .. sounds like you did pretty well considering the pressure you were under.
It is normal to feel pretty rotten after such an incident, and the mind dwells on the "what else could/should I have done" .. the answer is .. nothing .. at the time you did your best.. it may have saved 1 life.. for that be "happy" if that is the right term.
As to "putting you off" .. the police don't attend a fatal RTA every single day, they also do lots of other "good/enjoyable" things. Even the bad things have certain perspectives that you would be trained to see, understand and rationalise.
I've never met you James, but you come across as an intelligent, rational, considerate person, and from this I would hazard a guess you'd make a good copper. The fact that it hurts shows you care .. that is NOT a bad thing IMHO
It is not for me to advise anyone .. but I'll give you this idea ..... take your concerns straight down your local nick, talk to real 24/7 coppers.. the ones who deal with these things as a professional .. ask them how they cope ... I'm sure they will speak honestly and frankly to you once they know why you are asking.
Take care and be strong :)
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Really sorry to hear this :( You're meeting more than your share of the bad drivers on the road at the moment.
But think of it this way... If you can put your skills to use helping people as you have tonight it's a good thing. That young girl will be better off (possibly, alive at all) tonight as a result of your intervention and, if you can consider, as you have, doing so as a career that can only make matters better, surely. Focus on the positive effects of your actions.
A mate of mine joined the Police 15 years or more ago and is now a rapid response driver and firearms officer. He gets the real nasty jobs when corners of this country get turned, temporarily, into a war zone. I know for a fact you could pay him all the money in the world and he wouldn't be doing another job.
Kevin
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You did well - you like helping people.
Sounds like one driver was being a knob, at least the innocent girl wasn't killed, that would make it a lot worse.
I used to think I was a bit fast in a car years ago until I had trouble keeping up with slower cars - because they were taking unacceptable risks.
Crashing hurts and I would recommend everyone finding a course to try on observation
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You have my sympathies, along with those involved and their families. Even the culprit who caused the accident has a mother who is suffering.
I'm not in a position to advise you whether to go for joining the force (or 'service' ) or not, but it seems as though you may well be a useful asset to them (and, therefore, us!).
I know a few police officers, and what brought home to me the job they do (even sometimes when they're off duty) was the Glasgow airport terrorist attack. I distinctly remember the press report:
"As people were running screaming from the vehicle (you may remember that it was on fire, with explosive canisters in the boot), the two police officers ran towards it". I think that says a lot.
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Hi JamesV6CDX,
I lost a great friend in a car accident about 9yrs ago (His fault) and his borther is a copper with Thames Valley Police, he attended the accident were his brother was killed and he is still in the force. I say if you want to be a copper then go for it, don't let this put you off.
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These things never get any easier to deal with, whether its one fatality or several. Sounds like you have done the instinctive things as and when required to ease the burden of pain etc on others in this incident. Unfortunately, a byproduct of this is that you then share a portion of the burden you relieved others of. Bit like the big lad in the Green Mile......
I have lost count (sadly) of the number of fatalities I have attended and/or directly dealt with over the years. Believe me when I say it does not get any easier when that number gets bigger, you simply have to allocate more dark corners of your mind to deal with them as and when they resurface. Or the blackest of black humour to compensate, similar to a battle hardened squaddie, discussing the same with others who have experienced the same.
I would suggets contacting the local Trafpol Officer who took your initial statement and see if there is any Victim Support Counselling or similar in your area. Whilst you were not directly injured in the accident it did, however, have an indirect effect on you and you may need to discuss same with trained folks to resolve.
Yes, Trafpol is fast cars and adrenalin at times but, as you have found, there are dark times too. Thats what so many folks who think they know what Trafpol (and any other Officers) do day to day - driving the fast cars and eating donuts - and as a result, are all too eager to take a restricted view on their actions and are quick to jump upon perceived shortcomings elsewhere.
Hopefully you will resolve the matter to your satisfaction and that the injured parties heal in time.
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Thanks for the kind words Brucie.
I don't really have an issue to resolve. Everyone did their best to minimise a situation, no more could really have been done.
I may sometimes moan about the Police, but as I have said in other threads, they are only human, and we would be lost without them.
It's just going to have to be a part of a lifelong learning experience
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Thanks for the kind words Brucie.
I don't really have an issue to resolve. Everyone did their best to minimise a situation, no more could really have been done.
I may sometimes moan about the Police, but as I have said in other threads, they are only human, and we would be lost without them.
It's just going to have to be a part of a lifelong learning experience
James, sounds good but don't be too quick to dismiss how this can affect you. Time will tell.
I don't moan about the police so much, mainly the lack thereof in the UK. People may talk about guns in the US reducing crime, but it probably has more to do with police presence and fear of the police. A dash of police brutality now and then helps keep that last bit from going away completely. :P However, police presence in the form of actual people is the real key (and them not having to do 4hrs of paperwork for every time that they intervene in a situation).
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Hi James,
I personally think you done really well, I’m not sure what I could have done faced in the same situation, I just hope that someone like you is around if ever I become a culprit!
As for joining the Force, let your conscience be your guide, perhaps you have had to witness something that someone who has joined the force (and maybe be trained for this situation) may not have to endeavour for may be months or years after joining?.
To join the force for this type of work takes some guts, to admit after your experience of this incident that its not for you, takes even more guts in my book, but maybe there’s a message some where?, to deal with what you had to do under the circumstances without being trained on a day by day basis tells me that you have natural inhabitation to cope with and maybe further a career of helping other people?
I really hope things get better for you after your experience, and maybe things are more positive towards the future.
Chris.
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Well done James. It's lucky for the girl that you were there to help.
You may now call yourself a hero :y.
It's a shame for everyone involved, but I REEEEEEEEEAAAALY hope that the innocent victims make a full recovery.
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I work for N Power and was involved in a RTA 3 years ago.I was totally innocent this guy in a tranny van had never visited my town before and the road was poorly marked.Basically I was coming around a bend and he was coming straight forward but he should have given way and he didn't he was doing about 60mph and I was doing approx 20mph.I managed to turn slightly so avoided a head on crash but it was near enough.I just remember waiting for the impact and the loud bang of metal against metal.I suffered whiplash and the air bag went off resulting in the powder touching my hand a causing quite a large burn :( I was off work for a couple of months and had to have my burn dressed etc.I also had to have physio because of the whiplash.
I no longer enjoy driving and I seem to find danger in any situation on the road now (Much to the annoyance of my hubby).I only drive at work because I have to do and I have not drove down the same road since.
N Power insisited that we had to watch a police video and listen to a talk given by a road traffic cop.Some of the scenes we had to view were very very hard to look at.And most of them were the result of drivers speeding.It just made me more nervous and cautious.But I think it should be shown to all new drivers before they are allowed on our roads it might just make them think a little.
James I think you are a fantastic person to be able to have gone over to the poor innocent victim and offer her support.I do hope she makes a full recovery.
Angie xx
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:y you did well, i am a charge nurse (bit like a sister but male) in A&E on nights, this time of year is the worst for accidents and for some reason its usually the younger kids (17 - 21ish) and elderly that are bought in after an accident, the worse part of my job is when the relatives are present and you have to inform them of a fatality.
as for joining the police, you have one life, its yours to live, if you feel its a job that you can do, love, and care about then go for it :y
Tony
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:y you did well, i am a charge nurse (bit like a sister but male)
So you are a brother
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I've been in a few crap situations in the 7 years I've been driving, but I've never, ever come across anything like this in my life.
I wasn't involved in any way, but tonight I witnessed first hand an extremely serious RTA involving two cars. I believe it was between a Pug 307 and a Citroen Saxo, but the cars were literally unrecognisable.
The accident happened between Caldicot and Newport. The Pug was the culprit, it contained three lads, coming from the opposite direction, at breakneck speed. Just lost control on the bend, and literally wiped out the Saxo (And it's teenage law abiding female driver)
A group of us ran out to both of the wreckages to try and help, and call the services. Unfortunately I doubt the lads in the Pug in the have a chance, I have never seen such a mess of a car and when the fire service arrived they were cutting it open. One man was spraying that car with a fire extinguisher before they arrived, lots of smoke.
While they were helping the pug, I focused my attention on the other car. The Saxo, whilst in a severe mess, was not quite as bad, and we were able to get the girl (who was driving alone) free of the car. She was in an extremely bad way too, definately had a broken leg, and difficulty breathing and keeping concious. Thankfully I am first aid trained, and I was able to use my first aid skills as best as I could until the rapid response paramedic arrived. They told me I did right, which is a reassurance. She is in a critical condition with suspected internal injuries, I will be praying for her.
I'm really shaken up, thought it might help to note it down. Also good to note down asap at the time, because it's fresh in mind, and I'm likely to want to refer to it when talking to police.
It's changed my mind about joining the Force too. Whilst I think I acted really well at the scene, it's really eating into me now and it's not something I will ever forget. It's not something I think I could do regularly. Trafpol is clearly not about driving fast cars, there are some extremely grim aspects.
I have passed on my details to one of the attending officer that requested them. He took notes from me at the time, but he said I may need to be contacted again.
Please think about killing your speed - it only takes something like this and it can all be over. Also, please pray for the victims, especially the innocent young lady.
Just read it in our local rag as i live 3 mins from where it happened, astra and a corsa, all parties are fine thank god.
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I've been in a few crap situations in the 7 years I've been driving, but I've never, ever come across anything like this in my life.
I wasn't involved in any way, but tonight I witnessed first hand an extremely serious RTA involving two cars. I believe it was between a Pug 307 and a Citroen Saxo, but the cars were literally unrecognisable.
The accident happened between Caldicot and Newport. The Pug was the culprit, it contained three lads, coming from the opposite direction, at breakneck speed. Just lost control on the bend, and literally wiped out the Saxo (And it's teenage law abiding female driver)
A group of us ran out to both of the wreckages to try and help, and call the services. Unfortunately I doubt the lads in the Pug in the have a chance, I have never seen such a mess of a car and when the fire service arrived they were cutting it open. One man was spraying that car with a fire extinguisher before they arrived, lots of smoke.
While they were helping the pug, I focused my attention on the other car. The Saxo, whilst in a severe mess, was not quite as bad, and we were able to get the girl (who was driving alone) free of the car. She was in an extremely bad way too, definately had a broken leg, and difficulty breathing and keeping concious. Thankfully I am first aid trained, and I was able to use my first aid skills as best as I could until the rapid response paramedic arrived. They told me I did right, which is a reassurance. She is in a critical condition with suspected internal injuries, I will be praying for her.
I'm really shaken up, thought it might help to note it down. Also good to note down asap at the time, because it's fresh in mind, and I'm likely to want to refer to it when talking to police.
It's changed my mind about joining the Force too. Whilst I think I acted really well at the scene, it's really eating into me now and it's not something I will ever forget. It's not something I think I could do regularly. Trafpol is clearly not about driving fast cars, there are some extremely grim aspects.
I have passed on my details to one of the attending officer that requested them. He took notes from me at the time, but he said I may need to be contacted again.
Please think about killing your speed - it only takes something like this and it can all be over. Also, please pray for the victims, especially the innocent young lady.
Just read it in our local rag as i live 3 mins from where it happened, astra and a corsa, all parties are fine thank god.
What ?????
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Been driving this morning in Bayswater just outside Hyde Park, there’s a 4-lane very wide one-way system, as the road is very wide with good visibility and there as no traffic I stepped on it a bit when going into the bend, just to be confronted with a 14-15 years old boy on bicycles in the second lane riding the opposite direction and basically straight into me, one hand on the handle bar the other holding a mobile phone or iPod which he was trying to work...
I could have passed on his side but decided to stop (in spite of the wide road) just in case. He rode past me while I was stopped in the middle of the road, when he lift his head from the iPod I gave him the look but he just stared at me with a blank expression and went down the road... hope no one hit him behind me. Don’t know where these people are coming from...
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:)I've got basic 1st aid training as part of my ADR. Recovery position & CPR have changed although burns/wounds much the same. I've never had to put this into practice & do'nt know how i'd cope if i
did. You however did all the right things instinctively & the fact you felt effected afterwards shows compassion & an understanding on your part.
Given this if you still feel a calling to the Traffic Police you should follow it. Consider this unfortunate experience a learning curve.
Hope to meet @ a meet sometime. All the best to you & yours for 2008,
Guy.
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I've been in a few crap situations in the 7 years I've been driving, but I've never, ever come across anything like this in my life.
I wasn't involved in any way, but tonight I witnessed first hand an extremely serious RTA involving two cars. I believe it was between a Pug 307 and a Citroen Saxo, but the cars were literally unrecognisable.
The accident happened between Caldicot and Newport. The Pug was the culprit, it contained three lads, coming from the opposite direction, at breakneck speed. Just lost control on the bend, and literally wiped out the Saxo (And it's teenage law abiding female driver)
A group of us ran out to both of the wreckages to try and help, and call the services. Unfortunately I doubt the lads in the Pug in the have a chance, I have never seen such a mess of a car and when the fire service arrived they were cutting it open. One man was spraying that car with a fire extinguisher before they arrived, lots of smoke.
While they were helping the pug, I focused my attention on the other car. The Saxo, whilst in a severe mess, was not quite as bad, and we were able to get the girl (who was driving alone) free of the car. She was in an extremely bad way too, definately had a broken leg, and difficulty breathing and keeping concious. Thankfully I am first aid trained, and I was able to use my first aid skills as best as I could until the rapid response paramedic arrived. They told me I did right, which is a reassurance. She is in a critical condition with suspected internal injuries, I will be praying for her.
I'm really shaken up, thought it might help to note it down. Also good to note down asap at the time, because it's fresh in mind, and I'm likely to want to refer to it when talking to police.
It's changed my mind about joining the Force too. Whilst I think I acted really well at the scene, it's really eating into me now and it's not something I will ever forget. It's not something I think I could do regularly. Trafpol is clearly not about driving fast cars, there are some extremely grim aspects.
I have passed on my details to one of the attending officer that requested them. He took notes from me at the time, but he said I may need to be contacted again.
Please think about killing your speed - it only takes something like this and it can all be over. Also, please pray for the victims, especially the innocent young lady.
Just read it in our local rag as i live 3 mins from where it happened, astra and a corsa, all parties are fine thank god.
No, it was a 307 and a saxo....
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The article you read must have related to a different accident. On the basis that the cars were different, and the location was definately a lot closer towards caldicot/chepstow, than the Coldra...
The article you refer to is a B road - this was the A48...
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I work for N Power and was involved in a RTA 3 years ago.I was totally innocent this guy in a tranny van had never visited my town before and the road was poorly marked.Basically I was coming around a bend and he was coming straight forward but he should have given way and he didn't he was doing about 60mph and I was doing approx 20mph.I managed to turn slightly so avoided a head on crash but it was near enough.I just remember waiting for the impact and the loud bang of metal against metal.I suffered whiplash and the air bag went off resulting in the powder touching my hand a causing quite a large burn :( I was off work for a couple of months and had to have my burn dressed etc.I also had to have physio because of the whiplash.
I no longer enjoy driving and I seem to find danger in any situation on the road now (Much to the annoyance of my hubby).I only drive at work because I have to do and I have not drove down the same road since.
N Power insisited that we had to watch a police video and listen to a talk given by a road traffic cop.Some of the scenes we had to view were very very hard to look at.And most of them were the result of drivers speeding.It just made me more nervous and cautious.But I think it should be shown to all new drivers before they are allowed on our roads it might just make them think a little.
James I think you are a fantastic person to be able to have gone over to the poor innocent victim and offer her support.I do hope she makes a full recovery.
Angie xx
You can make all new drivers watch police videos of accident after accident for hours on end, but most people will switch off to what they are watching after a few minutes, once they have pass their test. Ask any body who drives if they think are a good or a bad driver and I bet that 99% of them will say GOOD if not VERY GOOD and that will include the ones that have just past their test.
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I work for N Power and was involved in a RTA 3 years ago.I was totally innocent this guy in a tranny van had never visited my town before and the road was poorly marked.Basically I was coming around a bend and he was coming straight forward but he should have given way and he didn't he was doing about 60mph and I was doing approx 20mph.I managed to turn slightly so avoided a head on crash but it was near enough.I just remember waiting for the impact and the loud bang of metal against metal.I suffered whiplash and the air bag went off resulting in the powder touching my hand a causing quite a large burn :( I was off work for a couple of months and had to have my burn dressed etc.I also had to have physio because of the whiplash.
I no longer enjoy driving and I seem to find danger in any situation on the road now (Much to the annoyance of my hubby).I only drive at work because I have to do and I have not drove down the same road since.
N Power insisited that we had to watch a police video and listen to a talk given by a road traffic cop.Some of the scenes we had to view were very very hard to look at.And most of them were the result of drivers speeding.It just made me more nervous and cautious.But I think it should be shown to all new drivers before they are allowed on our roads it might just make them think a little.
James I think you are a fantastic person to be able to have gone over to the poor innocent victim and offer her support.I do hope she makes a full recovery.
Angie xx
You can make all new drivers watch police videos of accident after accident for hours on end, but most people will switch off to what they are watching after a few minutes, once they have pass their test. Ask any body who drives if they think are a good or a bad driver and I bet that 99% of them will say GOOD if not VERY GOOD and that will include the ones that have just past their test.
Agreed -
I only have 7 yrs experience on the road, which makes me a newbie really. I consider myself confident and safe - but I do make a point of recognising mistakes, and learning from them.
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Only 1 car passed me on an empty section of M6 in wet weather J40 to J36 yesterday, and my cruise was set at 75mph - it was a black Porshe Boxter - the only car with no headlights on too - it bullied me out of the way and 15 miles later I caught it up - it had been smashed front and back and was being attended to by the Highways Agency.
I doubt he was going too fast - but a small black car, no lights and poor visability was always going to end in disaster. :-[
Unlike your case James, he was ok.
Time will help you to move past this trauma and always remember you did a good thing. If not for your actions she may not be here now.
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Only 1 car passed me on an empty section of M6 in wet weather J40 to J36 yesterday, and my cruise was set at 75mph - it was a black Porshe Boxter - the only car with no headlights on too - it bullied me out of the way and 15 miles later I caught it up - it had been smashed front and back and was being attended to by the Highways Agency.
I doubt he was going too fast - but a small black car, no lights and poor visability was always going to end in disaster. :-[
Unlike your case James, he was ok.
Time will help you to move past this trauma and always remember you did a good thing. If not for your actions she may not be here now.
I would have to agree with Chopsdad statement, "If not for your actions she may not be here now."
Anyway Chopsdad did you not get the email from Porsche, "Stating that all porky drivers must only use the outside lane with not lights on in bad weather" Volvo, BMW and Merc's are nearly the same. ;D ;D ;D ;D
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The article you read must have related to a different accident. On the basis that the cars were different, and the location was definately a lot closer towards caldicot/chepstow, than the Coldra...
The article you refer to is a B road - this was the A48...
Strange
Article in local rag:- Three people were taken to hospital after a head on collision involving two cars near Rogiet (Caldicot) last night.
Fire officers used cutting equipment to free the male driver of a vx astra following the incident at 8.15pm.
The woman driver of the other car a vx corsa and a female passenger suffered minor injuries.
All three were taken by ambulance to the royal gwent hospital in newport, police said none of the injuries were belived to be life threatening.
I will see my buddy next door to me, he is a traffic cop and would have been on duty that night, i will see if he can find out any info for you on how the injured parties are.
:y :y
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The article you read must have related to a different accident. On the basis that the cars were different, and the location was definately a lot closer towards caldicot/chepstow, than the Coldra...
The article you refer to is a B road - this was the A48...
Strange
Article in local rag:- Three people were taken to hospital after a head on collision involving two cars near Rogiet (Caldicot) last night.
Fire officers used cutting equipment to free the male driver of a vx astra following the incident at 8.15pm.
The woman driver of the other car a vx corsa and a female passenger suffered minor injuries.
All three were taken by ambulance to the royal gwent hospital in newport, police said none of the injuries were belived to be life threatening.
I will see my buddy next door to me, he is a traffic cop and would have been on duty that night, i will see if he can find out any info for you on how the injured parties are.
:y :y
Hmmm
I am sure this was the A48 - however I had taken a detour into strange territory due to issues already further up the M4. Whilst the cars were completely mangled, I'm sure I wouldn't have mistaken an Astra/Corsa for a Pug and a Citroen.
The young girl I was assiting had a lot more than minor injuries - the consensus at the scene was that fatalities were imminent.
Are you aware if the Gwent trafpol cover Chepstow too?
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been to a few nasty rtc's and each one is sitting there stored away, however i dont let it get to me, you will often find that ambulance,police,fire bods will have a laugh over it, this realy is the only way to stop it from affecting you to badly, im first aid trained and carry oxygen, entonox and all the other gubbins that im trained to use, for such a bad event, however i hate to have to use it as each time i get it out again it always brings back those bad thoughts,
you done good and thats all that is asked of you, at least you stopped, i have seen people stop take a picture on there phone and then drive off again,
in my eyes thats just not right.
dont let it get to you, if you feel its eating away then talk to somebody about it, it does no end of good to get it off your chest.
regards
nathan
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To be honest, I've discussed it to death, which I guess has helped.
I have since heard that the girl I helped is in a stable condition which has really pleased me - no news on the lads, though.
It was as my girlfriend said - a few seconds later, and it would have been me in the Meega they hit. Food for thought!
I think it's important to do your best for others in these situations, because I would want help if it happened to me.
Driving to work this morning, along the M4, I couldn't bring myself to go over 65mph (I usually cane it at about 90..) .. I kept having horrible twitches and flashbacks, especially when anyone got close to me. And I started sweating when I was near the A48 junction with the bridge, which is near where it happened.
Me thinks I need to put the car to bed for a while and get the train to work....
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To be honest, I've discussed it to death, which I guess has helped.
I have since heard that the girl I helped is in a stable condition which has really pleased me - no news on the lads, though.
It was as my girlfriend said - a few seconds later, and it would have been me in the Meega they hit. Food for thought!
I think it's important to do your best for others in these situations, because I would want help if it happened to me.
Driving to work this morning, along the M4, I couldn't bring myself to go over 65mph (I usually cane it at about 90..) .. I kept having horrible twitches and flashbacks, especially when anyone got close to me. And I started sweating when I was near the A48 junction with the bridge, which is near where it happened.
Me thinks I need to put the car to bed for a while and get the train to work....
no this is not a good idea, this is just giving in to it, obviously if your such a nervous wreck that you cant drive safely then that may be the option, your best bet might be to go back to the accident spot and pull up if you can, try to make sense of it all,
there is no shame in being like that its just human nature, thats why there are people that deal out therapy,
as for the comment about it could have been you, thats not realy the way to look at it, it was not you and you should be thankful for that, you did the best that you possibly could and done more than anybody ever asked of you.
if your seriously worried about things and you just fancy a chat about stress and anything else i will pm you my phone number. it always helps to speak to somebody that you dont know about it.
Nathan's surgery is now closed ;D
regards
nathan
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I've been in a few crap situations in the 7 years I've been driving, but I've never, ever come across anything like this in my life.
I wasn't involved in any way, but tonight I witnessed first hand an extremely serious RTA involving two cars. I believe it was between a Pug 307 and a Citroen Saxo, but the cars were literally unrecognisable.
The accident happened between Caldicot and Newport. The Pug was the culprit, it contained three lads, coming from the opposite direction, at breakneck speed. Just lost control on the bend, and literally wiped out the Saxo (And it's teenage law abiding female driver)
A group of us ran out to both of the wreckages to try and help, and call the services. Unfortunately I doubt the lads in the Pug in the have a chance, I have never seen such a mess of a car and when the fire service arrived they were cutting it open. One man was spraying that car with a fire extinguisher before they arrived, lots of smoke.
While they were helping the pug, I focused my attention on the other car. The Saxo, whilst in a severe mess, was not quite as bad, and we were able to get the girl (who was driving alone) free of the car. She was in an extremely bad way too, definately had a broken leg, and difficulty breathing and keeping concious. Thankfully I am first aid trained, and I was able to use my first aid skills as best as I could until the rapid response paramedic arrived. They told me I did right, which is a reassurance. She is in a critical condition with suspected internal injuries, I will be praying for her.
I'm really shaken up, thought it might help to note it down. Also good to note down asap at the time, because it's fresh in mind, and I'm likely to want to refer to it when talking to police.
It's changed my mind about joining the Force too. Whilst I think I acted really well at the scene, it's really eating into me now and it's not something I will ever forget. It's not something I think I could do regularly. Trafpol is clearly not about driving fast cars, there are some extremely grim aspects.
I have passed on my details to one of the attending officer that requested them. He took notes from me at the time, but he said I may need to be contacted again.
Please think about killing your speed - it only takes something like this and it can all be over. Also, please pray for the victims, especially the innocent young lady.
situations like this are exactly the reason (and really the only reason) why I didnt take this career choice, there's no way i could face a grown adult and watch them get upset after me telling them something's happened to a loved one :(
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Interesting, James that it has had the effect of slowing you down a bit. We all (especially men) think we're invincible/immortal, but I'm afraid none of us is. It's no bad thing to take it a bit easier. But again, my advice would be not to stop driving. We all have to take some risks just to live.
I rode a motorbike for a few years and the thought process is quite enlightening - you are at a far greater risk, but I enjoyed the speed/acceleration.
But things in your life change, I'm now married and hope to be a father during 2008, all being well. I'm not inclined to go out on the bike at all at the moment, as you're at the mercy of so many things beyond your control, and a) you are less stable on 2 wheels and b) if it all goes wrong, you haven't got a ton of steel, crumple zones, seat belts, airbags etc to protect you.
Best advice at my m/c club (when considering whether to make an overtake or not) was "might you meet yourself coming the other way?" - i.e. although the manouvre would be safe if everyone else is doing 50mph and keeping to their own side of the road, what if there's another bike (or Ferrari) coming the other way who also decides to overtake at 100!
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Best advice at my m/c club (when considering whether to make an overtake or not) was "might you meet yourself coming the other way?" - i.e. although the manouvre would be safe if everyone else is doing 50mph and keeping to their own side of the road, what if there's another bike (or Ferrari) coming the other way who also decides to overtake at 100!
I've been taught to think in terms of, from the loss of vision... how quick could something physically be coming towards me - irrespective of the speed limit and indeed a sensible speed - if a Yamaha R1 comes off the bend or out of the junction ahead, and accelerates hard... have I got an escape route?
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To be honest, I've discussed it to death, which I guess has helped.
I have since heard that the girl I helped is in a stable condition which has really pleased me - no news on the lads, though.
It was as my girlfriend said - a few seconds later, and it would have been me in the Meega they hit. Food for thought!
I think it's important to do your best for others in these situations, because I would want help if it happened to me.
Driving to work this morning, along the M4, I couldn't bring myself to go over 65mph (I usually cane it at about 90..) .. I kept having horrible twitches and flashbacks, especially when anyone got close to me. And I started sweating when I was near the A48 junction with the bridge, which is near where it happened.
Me thinks I need to put the car to bed for a while and get the train to work....
You done a good job there James, my hat off to you.
Well done mate, the memory will ease with time.
My next door traf police buddy was aware of the accident but he was on a domestic in Cardiff at the time, he was asked to attend but due to distance it was passed onto the traffic control room in Magor.
Can you believe, my mate was on a domestic, traffic police used for that :question :question :question :question
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To be honest, I've discussed it to death, which I guess has helped.
I have since heard that the girl I helped is in a stable condition which has really pleased me - no news on the lads, though.
It was as my girlfriend said - a few seconds later, and it would have been me in the Meega they hit. Food for thought!
I think it's important to do your best for others in these situations, because I would want help if it happened to me.
Driving to work this morning, along the M4, I couldn't bring myself to go over 65mph (I usually cane it at about 90..) .. I kept having horrible twitches and flashbacks, especially when anyone got close to me. And I started sweating when I was near the A48 junction with the bridge, which is near where it happened.
Me thinks I need to put the car to bed for a while and get the train to work....
You done a good job there James, my hat off to you.
Well done mate, the memory will ease with time.
My next door traf police buddy was aware of the accident but he was on a domestic in Cardiff at the time, he was asked to attend but due to distance it was passed onto the traffic control room in Magor.
Can you believe, my mate was on a domestic, traffic police used for that :question :question :question :question
Cheers Pete
If I can get away from work at a reasonable hour I'm going to take that route back to Cardiff again tonight. I somehow feel it might make things seem a bit easier...
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This is a rather harrowing story, sounds like you done well though. It has made me think I should get some first aid training, I have a kit in the BMW (fitted as standard) and I believe there should be one in the Omega judging by the symbol in the boot, but there isn't actually one there. To be honest I wouldn't really know how to use it should I find myself in a similar scenario. Imagine you'd witnessed that but been helpless to do anything, I think that would be far more difficult to deal with.
I found myself being the 2nd on the scene of a bike accident last year when I was in the US, and I was really glad that the guy who arrived first knew what he was doing. I basically just helped prevent any further incidents with other traffic (it was a country road) until the emergency services arrived. First to arrive was a fire truck, and one of the guys gave me a hand held stop sign and instructed me to just stop all traffic until the cops arrived. Not sure whether technically I had any powers to do so legally -- certainly I doubt anyone other than a traffic warden/police can direct traffic here, but they were all perfectly compliant as it was obvious there had been some kind of incident.
It's perfectly normal to have some unpleasant afterthoughts due to what you've witnessed, but I'm sure this will fade with time.
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Best advice at my m/c club (when considering whether to make an overtake or not) was "might you meet yourself coming the other way?" - i.e. although the manouvre would be safe if everyone else is doing 50mph and keeping to their own side of the road, what if there's another bike (or Ferrari) coming the other way who also decides to overtake at 100!
I've been taught to think in terms of, from the loss of vision... how quick could something physically be coming towards me - irrespective of the speed limit and indeed a sensible speed - if a Yamaha R1 comes off the bend or out of the junction ahead, and accelerates hard... have I got an escape route?
That might be me on that R1 ;)
I agree completely with what has been said here though, when I'm out on the bike yes theoretically I can accelerate from 40 to 100 in a few seconds should I feel the need, but what if someone around the bend I'm approaching does the same in the opposite direction? If there's any doubt about an overtake I simply wait. There are usually plenty of opportunities to pass safely on a bike due to the phenomenal acceleration, so having to wait behind a car for a few turns is no big deal. Better to arrive a few seconds later than not arrive at all 8-)