Something appalls me about a few of the posts here. I cannot believe in this day and age there are so many people about who have no idea of first aid. Surely ANYONE who came across a scene like this would stop to render assistance? But no, I know from first hand. I witnessed a fatality only a couple of week sago. The bike came past me, perfectly good overtake. The next bend he braked too hard, lost the front end and hit the front wing of a car coming the other way - the other car driver was in no way to blame. The guy lost his leg, in two places, and my son and I watched his leg parts flying through the air, and his body, like a rag doll. That bike also caught fire on impact with the ground. Whilst we were only seconds behind, we did what we could at the time - but within 10 seconds maybe there was a car came the other way, a gold Merc, the driver actually weaved through the burning wreckage and body parts on the road and refused to stop and help.....first witness on scene from the other direction, drove past the body of the rider and had to avoid wreckage to get through, but was too wrapped up in his own business to stop and help at the scene. I got his number - he has had a visit.
Back to this picture. I can't get my head around the smoke. The angle of the main smoke is towards the camera - so the wind direction is from behind the landy - so why is there smoke coming from the back of the land rover?
The rider I saw was probably dead on impact, but it was still my duty to assist and to check for vital signs - his thgh was open was it was torn off, no trousers left. I still see visions and it has made me wonder at what the medics out in Afghanistan and Iraq and other places have to deal with in the battle field - bloody incredible. At the time, I just did what I could for the couople in the car, who were totally hysterical and shocked. It was pretty obvious I could do nothing for the rider, there were no vitals when I checked. Cleared the scene - directed traffic. My lad ran ahead 9to behid the car) and stopped traffic that way and turned people away so we contained the scene until the paramedic and police arrived - some 10 minutes later. It was also in a rural area. The bike had burned out before the police/paramedics arrived. I still wonder if I shouldn't have covered the body with something from pour car - I carry a blanket and sleeping bag at all times (and a camp stove, soup and water - but that is another matter). It troubles me that I didn't think to give the poor rider some peace and dignity at the scene, but I was concerned for the old couple and concentrated my efforts on them. My car was blocking the road from our direction - I brought it up across the road when we stopped.
Anyway - shoulod I have taken pictures at the scene - I had my camera. I am a full time pro working in press situation. NO. I was first on scene and it was my duty to render assistance.
GO AND GET FIRST TRAINING ANYONE WHO IS READING THSI AND DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO IN SUCH A SITUATION. NEXT TIME IT MIGHT BE ME YOU ARE LOOKING AT, OR MY SON, OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW.
YES I AM SHOUTING. I WANT IT TO SINK IN.
