The comment, "Sometimes I like people" speaks for me. SonM was involved in a rollover last week when he lost control of his truck on black ice on a freeway overpass, spun around and went down the embankment between the two lanes to land driver's side up. Two cars behind him stopped to check on him and call 911 as did one on the oncoming side who'd watched it happen. They were all relieved to see him crawl out the window unharmed. Traffic slowed, the police called for salt and sand and everyone made it through.
That three strangers (one a woman) would put their own lives and vehicles at risk and use their time to check on his wellbeing, touches my heart with gratitude. And that gratefulness runs alongside the amazement and thankfulness I feel knowing he walked away with his life, a sore neck, and no other injuries. The truck, however, a Chevy Silverado with 335,000 safe driving miles on it was totaled. It needed to be hauled away for scrap, leaving him to reconcile that seemingly ignominious ending with the fact that its structural design and the engineering that went into that had protected his body and kept the cab intact as it's final act, with the crushed roof two inches from the top of his head. Sometimes the ways in which humans come through to survive adversity, solve problems, improve quality, assist, offer help, and stand alongside verges on splendid.
Yes! I've been focused on the cab holding up, and the seat belt is the other key piece. It held him in place while the rest of the loose stuff went flying, much of it out the broken window into the snow yards from where the truck came to rest, including his phone which had been sitting on the dash. He had to call it with another phone to locate it. The 4 hundred pound sandbags that were frozen together in the bed of the truck went flying too. The tow guy couldn't find a way to haul them out of the ravine and said he'd have to come back later, but I'm guessing they might be there for a while. All of this took place in single digit weather with dry roads and a light, powdery snow on the ground that the wind was catching, most likely what glazed the road. We're very thankful. He picks up a new-used Chevy truck tomorrow with 50,000 miles, hoping for another 300,000 mile run.
I shared the suggestion that he head south SixtyG, with him saying the hazard in that area is drivers who are stymied by rain! Going forward, I know what overpass to watch for myself now, as living where we do now invites a whole new winter driving experience. Your early spring holds a lot of appeal. We're into melting snow and rain here with nothing close to a bloom.
Windbag, the hazard lights of those who stopped served to alert to the rest of the traffic to slow before they reached the icy bridge. His rollover brought out the sanders which may have prevented something more or worse from happening. Who knows. It all happened in the blink of an eye. In our gratefulness, we wondered what all the spinning, rolling, flying objects, and clouds of snow looked like to the person who watched it happen from the other side of the highway--in Harry N's words (who didn't survive his crash) "It sure must have been something!
Some people I know went bowling years ago. They put their bowling balls up in the window ledge behind the back seat. When they got in an accident on the way, those balls were transformed into cannon balls, flying about the cabin. Fortunately, no one was struck.
Bonus pro tip: while you're out four-wheeling and jump your vehicle, when you hit the ground the change in your ashtray explodes. Remove it beforehand.
14 comments:
Dudes!
OK - that warmed my cold heart. Thank you.
That was way cool.
The comment, "Sometimes I like people" speaks for me. SonM was involved in a rollover last week when he lost control of his truck on black ice on a freeway overpass, spun around and went down the embankment between the two lanes to land driver's side up. Two cars behind him stopped to check on him and call 911 as did one on the oncoming side who'd watched it happen. They were all relieved to see him crawl out the window unharmed. Traffic slowed, the police called for salt and sand and everyone made it through.
That three strangers (one a woman) would put their own lives and vehicles at risk and use their time to check on his wellbeing, touches my heart with gratitude. And that gratefulness runs alongside the amazement and thankfulness I feel knowing he walked away with his life, a sore neck, and no other injuries. The truck, however, a Chevy Silverado with 335,000 safe driving miles on it was totaled. It needed to be hauled away for scrap, leaving him to reconcile that seemingly ignominious ending with the fact that its structural design and the engineering that went into that had protected his body and kept the cab intact as it's final act, with the crushed roof two inches from the top of his head. Sometimes the ways in which humans come through to survive adversity, solve problems, improve quality, assist, offer help, and stand alongside verges on splendid.
Always wear your seat belt. Always.
I am glad to hear that your son is okay. That sounds as if it could have been a lot worse. Tell him to drive south - no ice of any kind around here.
Robert Rogers smiles.
Mama, people are nowhere near as all bad as the Left wants everybody to believe.
Glad your son is safe, MamaM.
I'm always a bit peeved when I see a dash cam video of a horrendous accident...and the driver doesn't stop. Wha...? How can you just keep driving?
Always wear your seat belt. Always.
Yes! I've been focused on the cab holding up, and the seat belt is the other key piece. It held him in place while the rest of the loose stuff went flying, much of it out the broken window into the snow yards from where the truck came to rest, including his phone which had been sitting on the dash. He had to call it with another phone to locate it. The 4 hundred pound sandbags that were frozen together in the bed of the truck went flying too. The tow guy couldn't find a way to haul them out of the ravine and said he'd have to come back later, but I'm guessing they might be there for a while. All of this took place in single digit weather with dry roads and a light, powdery snow on the ground that the wind was catching, most likely what glazed the road. We're very thankful. He picks up a new-used Chevy truck tomorrow with 50,000 miles, hoping for another 300,000 mile run.
I shared the suggestion that he head south SixtyG, with him saying the hazard in that area is drivers who are stymied by rain! Going forward, I know what overpass to watch for myself now, as living where we do now invites a whole new winter driving experience. Your early spring holds a lot of appeal. We're into melting snow and rain here with nothing close to a bloom.
Windbag, the hazard lights of those who stopped served to alert to the rest of the traffic to slow before they reached the icy bridge. His rollover brought out the sanders which may have prevented something more or worse from happening. Who knows. It all happened in the blink of an eye. In our gratefulness, we wondered what all the spinning, rolling, flying objects, and clouds of snow looked like to the person who watched it happen from the other side of the highway--in Harry N's words (who didn't survive his crash) "It sure must have been something!
Harry C, not Harry N. I get a little touch of Schmilsson in the night mixed up with the bananas.
I had no idea that's how Harry Chapin died - the things one learns. I learned to stay off the LIE decades ago, we're good.
...the loose stuff went flying
Some people I know went bowling years ago. They put their bowling balls up in the window ledge behind the back seat. When they got in an accident on the way, those balls were transformed into cannon balls, flying about the cabin. Fortunately, no one was struck.
Bonus pro tip: while you're out four-wheeling and jump your vehicle, when you hit the ground the change in your ashtray explodes. Remove it beforehand.
I miss both Harrys.
Americans know how to make great trucks.
The left would like to see them banned. Just sayin'.
Thank goodness your son is OK, MamaM. What a story.
Roadways over bridges freeze up faster than the rest of the roadway.
So glad your son is doing okay.
Glad your son's OK, MamaM. Be careful out there.
Post a Comment