SWMBO and I were heading out to pick up the grandkids. We were driving a stretch of road that is flat, crosses a large muck farm, then a little upgrade with a cross street. A car pulled out of the cross street directly in front of another vehicle and they collided. TBone at 55 mph. It is really strange trying to mentally process what you are seeing in an instance like that. it's not supposed to happen. You see it, but don't believe it.
I remarked out loud..."Did we just see an accident?" I accelerated and (we were about 1/4 mile away) pulled up and stopped. A quick look told me it was bad. I called 911 on the cell and told them to send multipe ambulances and leo's. Bad PI and potential code K. I went to the first car and the driver was obviously deceased. I think his neck was broken. His wife was lying on him, unconsious and breathing sporadically, poor color. I new that there was nothing I would be able to do to aid her. She would live or die, but I could do nothing as she had no visible wounds to attend to and her body was free of obstruction. If she could continue to breath, she would. I thought maybe her neck was also broken. They were T-boned dead on the driver door.
I moved to the other car. The passenger in the front seat appeared to be shaken, but ok. I spoke with her and told her to remain calm help was on the way. She had a cell phone, so I told her to call relatives. (would keep her occupied and stave off shock, I hoped). All the airbags had deployed. It was a PT Cruiser. I moved to the driver. Her seat had slid forward and the back rest was also pushed forward. She was somewhat pale and sweaty, so I knew she was shocky. I asked how she felt. She said her chest hurt and it hurt to breathe. I told her it was the airbag and the seat belt that caused that. I told her she was not bleeding. She said her legs hurt. I told her her legs had hit the dash and they appeared ok. I told her her color was good and she was breathing fine, even tho it hurt, she would be ok. Her color got a little better and I told her that too. That seemed to calm her a bit. I pried open the door to get her some extra room and more air. I did not want to move the seat as I did not know if she had other injuries. The pros were on the way. We could wait and she'd be ok, that I'd be with her. I told her that.
I went to the back seat passenger. She was a teen. I asked her how she felt. She said her arm was broken. I told her fine. Just let it lie in her lap and it would be supported that way and not to move around. She said her head and chest hurt as well as her legs. I told her to just remain still and lie back and breathe slowly through her mouth. Her color was good, I told her so. She told me she was 13 weeks pregnant. I asked did she have her seat belt on. She did. I told her that the seat belt probably helped her and her baby and that he was in a safe place in her, designed to take some shock. She relaxed a bit and sat back. I pried the back door open to give her some more room and air. I could see where her legs had pushed in the front seat. I told her she wasn't bleeding and was probably just bruised and to remain quiet till the meds got here. She smiled. That made me feel good. I asked her if she felt any fluid or wet in her pelvic area she said no. I told her that was good for her and the baby.
It dawned on me that sometimes the best first aid is just being supportive and positive and calm for the injured. I was calm and spoke quietly and reasurringly. That seemed to help them. The driver was probably the worse off, maybe some chest injury, but she was breathing well and her color was getting better. She was still shocky though.
By this time others had stopped and we got the first car's engine to stop by prying open the hood and cutting the battery cable. We were worried about fire. I checked the driver again. He was gone. His wife was still breathing poorly, still unconcious. I told bystanders to leave her alone, don't move her, the meds were imminent. About that time volunteer firemen, a sheriff, a state trooper and ambulance arrived. Advised the trooper to call for more meds. They called for aeromed.
Went back to the 3 ladies and comforted them for a little more time, told them the meds were here and all would be ok soon and then we left.
I called the State Police post awhile ago. The driver was indeed deceased. He never knew what hit him imho. His wife died enroute to the hospital on the aeromed chopper. She never woke up. So sad. They appeared to be elderly. In some way I'm relieved that they both went. An odd emotion, but I think it was just right, somehow.
I just needed to tell this thing. Life is so tenuous. They left the house to...do what? Go to the store? Visit a grandkid? Get gas? They lived just down the road from the corner. They got in the car and then never went home again. Now their family is collected somewhere in grief and sadness. The driver of the PT Cruiser said to me, "I'm so sorry." Her passenger said "Please don't be sorry, it wasn't your fault. He turned right in front of you". She's right, but that poor lady will be second guessing herself and having bad dreams. I hope the baby is OK.
Kiss your kids, hug your wife/husband. Treasure your friends. Appreciate your work. Look around you and see the beauty. Take a deep breath and savor the taste. If you believe, thank the Lord for the day. If you do not, ponder that maybe you should, just so you might thank Someone for the fact you exist.
Life is so tenuous.