This is not a happy story, but I feel compelled to write.
Yesterday, on the way home from Jenny's swim meet in Fernie, we came upon a tragic scene. The first thing I noticed was a red SUV nose down in the left ditch. In the next moment, a wave of horror washed over me as I saw a crumpled sheet laying across the centre line of the highway.
I knew instantly that it was not good.
There were people moving about in the ditch by the vehicle and several more on the other side of the road. Passersby had obviously arrived on the scene before us and were aiding those involved. I then recognised the single red crescent shape of a fender lying on the the pavement before detecting the remaining wreckage of a motorcycle several feet away. There were no police nor any rescue vehicles there yet, so it must have happened shortly before we rounded the curve.
We had pulled over onto the shoulder and were stopped as all traffic had come to a halt in the wake of the accident. A gentleman was speaking with the driver of the car in front of us before approaching our window. He asked if we had a blanket he could use. I told him that we did and retrieved my old, weathered car rug from the back of the van. He promptly carried it across the road and wrapped it gently around the shoulders of one of the victims beside the truck in the ditch.
To those unknown strangers who's lives were touched and taken, I wish you Godspeed.
Oh Dale, that sends shivers up my spine. These scenes remind me of all the roadside memorials we see in South Africa, and indeed here in Europe. That was someone's son or daughter, father or mother, sister or brother and the family wouldn't have known till some time after you came across the scene.
ReplyDeleteI join you in wishing those involved godspeed, and those left that they have friend and relatives to comfort them in their sorrow.
I was thinking exactly the same thing, Val.
ReplyDeleteThat it was someone's child, brother, sister, mother, father...
All the family and friends who will be touched by the tragedy.
I think by putting it into my own words helps - I had trouble getting to sleep last night.
xx
That is always so horrid to see, and to be so close to it. We rounded a corner two weeks back to find a van overturned on a hill and people wandering in the road. In this case no one was hurt, so sad when they are.
ReplyDeleteand this was the second blanket that we have given to an accident victim in the past year...
ReplyDeleteOh no, Dale, the second? I'm not surprised you couldn't sleep. It must have been a pretty harrowing sight.Good that writing is somehow therapeutic...I find that too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sad story, Dale. Good that you were able to give someone comfort at such a difficult moment.
ReplyDeletexx
AM
twice you used that blanket? that is unusual.
ReplyDeleteWhat a difficult scene to arrive upon. I can see why you had troubles sleeping.
Godspeed to those involved. And feel rest that you helped in some way.
xo
String, I would much rather come across an accident that has no casualties, by far.
ReplyDeleteVal, I do find it very theraputic, but now I'd better get on with it, as I don't want this being my recent post hanging about at the top too long. If you know what I mean.
Yes, Anne-Marie, at the very least we were able to help in some small way.
No, Grace, it was two different blankets. I won't see either one of them again.
xx
I got to this blog so late - sorry. My prayers are with all concerned.
ReplyDelete