Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests Worst thing I have ever seen/experienced!!!!!!

That sounds so familiar to me...When I owned my ford probe gt a few years ago i was on the highway at night doing about 75 when my car burst into flames...I always thought there would be something to prevent the fire but it went up in flames in a matter of a minute or 2. Luckly I got out fine before the car exploded but I can only imagine how that must have felt to witness that...sorry

Louis

Sleeper -

You are a good man. This is the type of situation that can really affect you for a long time so it was good to read that you are seeking counseling.

I say this because I was in an eerily similar situation.

In June of 1996 I was in the middle of a round of Golf on a Tuesday morning, playing alone, when I heard a large crash to my left. Over the hole to my left was a small road with a very rutted ditch to the sides of it. Typically people drive much too fast on it.

I turned to see a van overturned on the street. I immediately pulled out my cell phone and dialed 911. I also began sprinting to the van, halfway there I noticed that the underside of the car, now in the air, was on fire. Sadly, a few other people on the golf course did not respond at all. The kept their distance and refused to come help.

Once I reached the van I looked inside to se the driver unconscious and 4 kids in the back. 2 of the kids in the back were in wheelchairs that had been strapped to the floor so that they didn't roll about the van.

Another golfer who did come over to help got the driver out. However, we could not get to the kids in the back and the rear door was locked. We took a golf club and broke the window so that we could unlock it and pry it open. We carried the 2 kids that were unstrapped to safety and then I was able to get one of the kids unstrapped and get him out before the truck was completely engulfed.

As I got the 3 kid out, he was like dead weight with no muscle tone, emergency services arrived. The truck was burning out of control and we could hear the shreiks from the child we could not get out.

By the time they got the flames under control, the last kid was dead. To this day I am filled with guilt for not being able to save him.

I did not seek counseling after the incident. About a year later my partner implored me to do so. I was becoming consumed with the guilt, it affected me every day and was becoming a problem in business.

I have learned to live with the guilt that I have, but still sometimes feel overwhelmed by it.

The 2 players that did not come to assist have since left my golf club because I was very vocal about their lack of character.

I am glad you are seeking counseling and very glad that the majority of people are truly good.

There is an old jewish/yiddish word, Mensch. It means someone who does the right thing, not because they are required to and not because it is the "smart" thing to do, they do it simply because it is the right thing to do.

you my friend are a MENSCH, and that is the highest compliment I can give to anyone

I agree man dont let it get you down be proud that you did the best you and your father could do

What's left of the Suburban.


I'm leaving work now for my appt.
Thanks all for the kind words.
Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated.

You should consider you and your father heros for what you have done. You saw the situation and did the most you possibly could to try to help the people in need.

Any news on how the remaining family members are doing?

The mom and child were (in a way) lucky they were unconscious. Imagine that poor dad.

Sleeper, it's good to see you talking this over, both with the CEG as a 'support group' and with your therapist. If you are already able to do this, then you will get over the stress soon. You, your dad, the other 7 people that helped, and especially that poor family will be in my prayers tonight.

i saw something about that wreck mentioned on the news a couple days ago or so....very sad for everyone involved...i wrote about my horric crash (actually witnessed) a few yrs ago on another post earlier

words cannot describe how screwed up all of our minds probably are especially after seeing all the horrible things of 911

Dont forget, most people would have paniced and not known what to do. I commend you on saving 3 lives...its alot better than losing five if you ask me.

Last year, I was on Comm. Ave in Boston making a left around 12am. I was picking some friends up from a party. I was waiting to make the turn in the left lane and all of the sudden I hear screeching behind me and just thought I was about to get nailed. I pulled out of the way just in case and watched the car go by in the right lane and all of the sudden BANG! I see the body of a young male get tossed over 80 feet. It was one of the most sickening things I can imagine and makes my skin crawl when I think about it. Everyone was in shock, this poor kid was just trying to get a taxi. The driver took off, I wanted to chase him but could not get back across the median. He hit the kid so hard, it ripped the liscense plate off the front of the car and it was found at the scene. Turns out the driver was also young and intoxicated when police arrested him soon after.

The boy who was struck died.

I can't imagine seeing situations like the ones described. My thoughts and prayers go out the family and you and your dad, Sleeper.

Congradulations on doing a good deed! There are too many people in this country whom would not have helped for fear of possibly being sued, it's a sad world we live in when things like that happen.

While it was under different circumstances I have watched people die (albeit slower) and it sticks with you for a long time, I still have never totally recoverd that that was 7 years ago, good luck with your counseling, and as you can see we are here for support!

-Pete