Wow. That is such a perfect example of, "What would have happened if not for my helmet." I'm glad to read you came out of that crash in one piece. Heal up quick.

...

Financial District in downtown Toronto: I'm hanging out on a corner waiting for the light to change when I see a messenger heading through the intersection. The light's just changed - it's about to go green his way and it's just gone red for the opposing traffic. A mini van runs the light trying to get through before the other traffic starts and guns it through the intersection. The courier didn't even have time to react - he got hit while he was still turning his head toward the van. The bumper hit his foot, the grill got his hip, his shoulder and face went through the windshield. The top of his head connected with the body of the van just above the windshield. The van didn't even brake until after he'd been hit and tossed.

I was the first person on this guy. I yelled at some dude in a suit to call 911 and had another one run and grab me some napkins from a hotdog vendor. I tried to hold the courier still (he was barely even conscious at that point but still trying to radio in to dispatch to tell them he'd need to take the rest of the day off). This guy was mangled. I was literally kneeling over him trying to keep him alert and stable while I held his scalp on his skull with a wad of napkins - I couldn't even tell if there was a fracture underneath because it was just a total mess. The whole right side of his body was blown up and I doubt he even knew what had really happened. I have no idea what happened to this guy but I hope he pulled through without any lingering problems. I had my camera on me that day and I took a shot of the van's windshield before the police towed it. It's a good reminder everytime I happen to come across it (especially the tuft of hair lodged in the van's safety glass).

But hey, helmets make you look like a geek.

- eyefloater

Edit: got my spell on.