cyclwestks

I decided yesterday I needed one more Century for the month, I won't go into much detail on the ride, it was pretty much perfect until about mile 47 when I heard a loud noise, I had just glanced down at my HRM & when I looked up, about 150-200 yds away a little passenger car was spinning to the shoulder of the road. The shoulders of the roads I normally ride are about as wide as a lane.

I immediately pulled my cell phone out & dialed 911. As I got closer, I literally threw my bike in the ditch. I was one of the first on the scene of a fatality accident. The mother was ejected from the car, probably only 20 feet away, I don't know any other way to put it, except that she lay in a very "awkward" position face down, not moving, not breathing. That's when it came to my attention there was a baby in the car, Immediately I thought, "oh my God".

Luckily, the child seat was in the back seat, passenger side, & the approx 2yr old was unscathed, a big photograph of the child was laying on the driving side floor. Another gentlemen stayed & calmed the baby while I stayed on the line with 911. I used to be an EMT, & I felt so helpless.

I called my wife & told her she might have to come get me, without telling her why, & then decided I needed some time alone, so I continued my trek. Probably at about mile 70 on very rural roads, she shows up, just what I needed.

We talked, I cried, then she leap frogged me the rest of the way home. This morning I just can't get that little child out of my head.

MediaCreations 

That's going to be a hard one to shake for you. I suppose the fact that it's hit you so hard shows that you're human.

There's not a lot that anyone can say at a time like this but I'm sure that many of us here on the forums will be thinking of you in the coming days.

baj32161

I echo the thoughts displayed here. I hope that, in time you will heal from this tragic event.

Bless you!

suntreader

That is indeed a sad experience. I think you can take comfort in the fact that you did the best you could in a bad situation, especially in the way you called 911 immediately and helped take care of the child.

Perhaps if would increase your own healing if you waited a couple of weeks, then sent a hand-written note or card to the woman's family, telling them what you did at the accident site... and the sadness that you feel as a result of her death. Also, you may want to make a small charitable donation in memory of the mother.

SDS

No seat belt on driver?

royalflash

thats really sad- I wouldn΄t identify yourself on the note however or you might find yourself being sued for something

Benman

there's laws that protect him from any liability I'm pretty sure...
sorry to hear that you had to go through that

Hipcycler

When I ride my usual route to this day in one spot I can still remember the sight from over a year ago....when some kids in a car intentionally gunned for and ran down a goose killing it in front of my eyes on my ride.

If I still have that in my mind I can't imagine how tough it must be for you at this point.

You did what you could.
Keep riding.

suntreader

Good Samaritan laws protect non-professional caregivers. Nobody is going to sue you.

drroebuck

Give me a break.

cyclwestks: Sorry to hear about this ride. In time the pain will subside. Be glad that you have cycling (and a kick-ass wife) to help you through that process.

Jakey

Thats terrible. Reminds me of a sheriff deputy around here who responded to a fatal car accident, only to find out at the scene it was his wife. I think his coworkers donated all their vacation time so he could be with his kids.

ManBearPig

There is something very raw about being on the scene when something like that happens. When it happens only 5 minutes before you arrive, and there are ambulances and lights, the impact it has on onlookers is very muted, and its significance seems to transition into little more than a traffic inconvenience. But it's very unsettling when you see it happen or arrive only moments after, before help has arrived.

If nothing else, it's another stunning example of how important it is to simply fasten your seatbelt. I think I have heard that more than half of traffic fatalities result from the failure to do that simple task.

Jakey

You would think it would be like wearing a helmet on the bike... Both are things I do automatically.... I feel VERY uncomfortable in car without a belt on.

Rich22

YOu did a good thing, that i hope everyone would do in that situation.

CAAD5AL

That's chilling. You'll be churning that whole thing over and over in your mind for many days and nights to come, I suspect. Have you been able to figure out what went wrong?

simplyred

That's a really unselfish act... wow...

cyclwestks - All I can say is that you've probably done more than some other people may have done. Don't feel like you were helpless, because you weren't. I can't imagine what I would have done, possibly just froze up. You are a true human being and I think we all hope that you can recover from this tragedy.

Take care of yourself
-Peter

Noddy

Amazing how often stuff like that comes up: A patrolman near here was dragged under a car and a chain-link fence gate for about 70 feet the other night. First officer on the scene to find him? His father, the shift commander.

OP: Cheers for doing the right thing and the best you could in an awful situation.

cyclwestks

Thanks everyone, it will take awhile, I think I was paranoid the rest of the way home.

The thing that's really scary is that me & the pickup were traveling west. I asked the officer just before I left which way the car was coming, & he said it looked like she was going east. I can't help thinking, if it weren't for the pickup & trailer, what could have happened.

Portis

Wow. What an ordeal. These sorts of events make us dig deep into our soul and think of things that you really appreciate and how you don't want to let that happen to you or a loved one. Often we think of all sorts of reasons it won't happen to us.

Unfortunately sometimes it does. Enjoy life. Ride your bike and tell your loved ones that you love them.

BTW, Where do you live? Are you in Western KS? I am in Salina.

ajst2duk

This was totally outside your control. You did what you could, no-one could ask for more.
Another example of why we should say I love you to our partners & family every time we head for the door.
I feel for you, it would be hard to come across something like that even though it was a chance thing.

Siu Blue Wind

Oh, dear. Only you have experienced this. Only you can feel what you feel. Just keep in mind that the moment she died, she was watching over her baby and you were there. How wonderful...you were there...you were not helpless. She knew her baby was fine. Because she saw you. And you did for her baby what she could not do. You are an angel. Remember that.

JenM

Thank the Lord for good Samaritans like yourself!

my58vw

I feel for you, it is a tough experience. All you can do is think that is all you could have done.

I am starting to cry over this thread and I do not cry much. I experienced something very simular on a bike at work (security officer). I was riding down a street when I saw a car that was racing down a local street hit a light pole at over 90 miles per hour. I was first on the scene, 4 kids in the car, driver intoxicated. Two individuals were ejected, the car was split in half. I held one of the occupants as she died, another died on the scene.

The driver remained unharmed. Inside the mess of the car I saw something, a baby, dead. It was the hardest thing I have ever scene, I had to go home it was that bad.

Good luck and just think about the good things in life, it makes you value your own.

Trekke

That is so sad and unfortunate. I eye witnessed a multiple fatality crash 30 years ago. I was on my way to Physics finals in my Sophmore year of college. Mother and 3 young children died before my eyes and I just couldn't do anything about it. Every time I pass that intersection I think about this. I couldn't take the final. I some way I can't begin to explain I believe this made me a stronger person. Your wife sounds like a great partner. You are certainly blessed in that respect for sure.

Steelrider

This was a terrible tragedy. I'm sorry for the family and that you were witness to it all. Take comfort in fact that you did everything that you could for this family. Pray that those who will now care for the baby will love him/her and be able to realize some the dreams that the mother had for her child.