Car crash - Who to help first

pablo · Post by **pablo** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 4:01 am

On my way home from work this morning I witnessed a car accident. A Golf travelling at speed lost control on a round-a-bout and slammed into a barrier and then span down the road. The vehicle was travelling towards me so I went round the round-a-bout and stopped behind the vehicle.
There were 3 occupants in the car 2 young men in the front and a girl in the back. As I got out my car the girl staggered out the car I went up to her and told to sit down on the kerb she was in shock, confused and disorientated. I then turned my attention to the driver who was also getting out under his own steam, good I thought to myself. Whilst trying to assess the situation I was also on the phone to the emergency services. The inside of the car was filled with smoke as both front airbags had deployed, the front passenger was not able to respond to commands and was struggling to breath. As I ran to the passenger door I noticed that the girl was wondering off down a grass embankment I shouted after her but she just staggered away, the driver was uninjured but was in shock and shouting at his brother to get out of the car.

There was smoke inside the car and coming from under the bonnet, I wanted to go after the girl and she was clearly in need of help but I had to stay and try to get the front passenger out to help ease his breathing. By the time the emergency services arrived the girl had disappeared. When i left they were calling in more police officers and a dog handler to start a search for the girl. I really hope they found her as I feel guilty for letting her wonder off, but i had to help the passenger as he had taken the brunt of the impact and was trapped in the car

AdrianP · Post by **AdrianP** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 5:59 am

1stly well done for stopping to help, some people out there would have just said tough and carried on.

As for your decision, I'd say you did the right thing and stayed with the person that (as far as you could tell) needed you the most.

You might be able to contact the local police and ask them about the incident to see if they found her, that way for you own peace of mind you will know what happened.

I guess this i something that will play on your mind for a while in a 'what if' sort of way but unfortunately this is what happens when you come across incidents and stop to help.

Again well done for doing what you did, and I'm sure others will be along to say similar once they wake up.

Ady.

Gerry H · Post by **Gerry H** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 7:17 am

Yep! Well done Pablo for being public spirited. Let's hope someone doesn't dream up a charge of assault against you for touching the victims.

As for your question. For what my opinion's worth, I'd say you were right to stick with the person in imminent danger whether they're injured or not. Had the car burst into flames while you went off chasing women

a straightforward road accident could have turned into a fatality.

Bart · Post by **Bart** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 8:30 am

well done mate, you made the right decission.
go back to your training as a lifeguard and if that was a pool incident you would have done exactly the same.

Post by **Stuart** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 8:49 am

Well done Pabs.

You can only do so many things at once mate, so you should trust your own judgement and experience in these situations. Any help you could have provided would be greatly appreciated and you have to remember (as others have said) how many other people would have ignored their plight or just done the cursory 'is everyone alright?' and then bogged off....

Tk · Post by Tk » Sun Sep 13, 2009 8:51 am

well done , rep point coming your way

Gerry H · Post by **Gerry H** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 8:56 am

Tk wrote:well done , rep point coming your way

Yep, already did that

fezza · Post by **fezza** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 9:17 am

Blimey mate, hope your ok after that, i know i was first on scene when a polo hit a kerb and rolled into a field and that really shook me up. Fortunately everyone was ok but it shook me up none the less.

I would have done exactly the same as you - stayed with the injured until the ambulance arrived. If his condition had deteriorated then at least you would have been there to give first aid.

Fingers crossed they find the girl and the bloke recovers and well done you.

blackskygtr · Post by **blackskygtr** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 9:25 am

Right choice every day of the week mate.
You will run it through your head time and time again but you will come up with the same answer.
If she was in shock then she was only doing what she considered right but of course the injured would have to come top of the list.
Brownie points coming from me as most would have probably driven on.

Jay

Rob S · Post by **Rob S** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 9:50 am

Pablo,
With some experience to fall back on myself, I'd have done what you did.
People are right when they say you can't second guess yourself.
Your instincts and training told you to sort the casualty in the car, and I honestly believe that was the right thing to do.
I've been first on scene at multiple injury scenes, and I think it's human nature to analyse what's happened afterwards. Problem is, you're spending possibly hours disecting what you had seconds to assess and decide upon.
I applaud that you cared enough to stop, get involved and potentially save lives.

Now stop beating yourself up, no ONE person could have done more.

Rob