46 replies to this topic

[GiGo]

At 7.55am today I am driving my van of to see a new customer, in Bucknall, Stoke on Trent. I stop at the traffic lights and when green proceed on down the road. However unknown to me 25 meters down the road there was a chap crossing the road. Then.... He's half way across the road and 2 meters in front of my van, smack...... The guys impacted the front of my van and the windscreen is in a bit of a sorry state. At this point I'm thinking... well you probably know..... The guys laying at the side of the road face down Thoughts are going through my head, oh.... oh..... the guy who was at the bus stop and saw it all happen is ringing for an ambulance. A lady who was also there is a nurse, she's checking his airwaves, making sure he's still breathing, he is. An off duty police offcier who was driving by stops and blocks the road, 3 more people who are trained 1st responders who were driving by start checking the guy over. They turn him over, blood all over his face, the 2 ladies are telling me, it looks worse than it is, but still it looks bad. Ambulance crew arrive and do there thing, neck brace, spinal board etc... put him in the ambulance. Police arrive after about 5 mins and take statements. They breathalyser test me, do a vision check, all fine (please note I am a tea totaler and would never get behind a wheel of a car after I've been drinking). The ambulance crew leave with the guy. The police officer asks for my statement and we sit in the front of his car. 20 mins later we have finished. Still shaking after the statement, the CIU come and take photo's of my van and the scene of the accident. Tell me they need to take my van away for further investigation. The police officer who took my statement said that I do not appear to be at fault and by witness statements there was little that I could of done to avoid hitting him and that my van was in a road worthy condition. So a little shaky, my friend kindly left work to pick me up. My thoughts go out to the gentleman that was involved, I hope that you are not in critical condition and that you make a full recovery. I also want to say that the police, ambulance and passers by were all brilliant people and were fantastic under the circumstances. I hope your day is going better than the poor guy that was crossing the road. And to everyone, please remember the highway code, stop, look, listen and KEEP LOOKING. I hope this post doesn't upset anyone, that is not my intention, the sole purpose of this thread is to help me deal with the shock of what has just happened.

[KurtVerbose]

I've hit two pedestrians. Both were fortunately ok, and both times it wasn't my fault. It was an awful thing to go through though. You have my sympathies.

[StealthVXT]

Jesus! Hope your OK and the guy makes a full recovery. As I was reading it I thought it was going to be a joke thread, but unfortunately it wasnt... Fingers crossed for the guy!

[G-Bob]

I can't even imagine how you are feeling right now. Don't know how I'd deal with it, even if it wasn't my fault. chin up Gigo.

[chrisvx220]

Very sorry to hear this, hope your not too shuck up. Its just one of those very unfortunate things that happen from time to time, not your fault im sure so try not to let it get to you to much My Mrs had a similar thing happen to her in her old Astra, driving round a sharp blind bend at 20mph and a guy steped out over the bonnet and smashed his head into the winscreen leaving a massive spiderweb and a dent in the front wing, he was suprisingly ok thankfully. At the end of the day he shouldnt of attempted crossing there and she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. On a possitive note, at least you werent in the VX

[rob999]

Main thing is you and him are okay. Will take some time to get over this I imagine, if there's anything 'we' can do just ask on here.

[J4EY D]

Really sorry to hear this, just know it wasnt your fault... not that its going to help that much in the short run. I run over someones dog while driving my old van a few years ago, it wasnt my fault but i still felt like crap for weeks, and even now if i think back to it, it turns my stomach. Dont forget we are all here, and dont let it question your driving ability

[casino]

Shite ! Hope your vans ok mate.

[Mike (Cliffie)]

Not a great start, I hope it all works out OK for you.

[Duncan_F]

I can't even imagine how you are feeling right now.
Don't know how I'd deal with it, even if it wasn't my fault.

chin up Gigo.

Being run over hurts, I know this from personal experience.

[Harry0075]

Sorry to hear about this Gigo, hopefully they make a full recovery, and try not to worry too much, there was nothing you could do... I was hit by a car once, I was running, and it was no fault of the driver I thought the coast was clear, but there was a transit which blocked the view of the driver and myself...minor injuries as a result...hope the same is the case for this guy. There was nothing you could've done...take it easy dude.

[2.2_na]

Sorry to hear about this. I hope it all turns out ok in the end. The one thing I've always learnt from accidents, regardless of who's fault they may be, is that they teach you to be even more observant and aware.

[Crazyfrog (Fab)]

pedestrian sometime think they own the road
in france i dare you to cross on the pedestrian crossing..they simply don't stop

[theotherjonnymac]

Sorry to hear about your experience. I had a child run out in front of me once. Thankfully I had seen him and had slowed to about 10mph and managed to stop in time. I really shook me up so I know what you are going through.

[ghand]

Bad start to the day,understatment that is.You just have to think "it could have been worse" His fault but you feel sh**.If you find out he is ok may not seem as bad.Pity you dont drink , a few relaxing beers tonight would help.

[palmer]

i ran over a cat once.

[turbobob]

Also really sorry to hear this I can't imagine what it must be like to experience something like that. Please don't let it put you off driving.

[Ouchie]

Bad luck GiGo, not your fault by the sounds of things so take solace in the fact the guy should survive, albeit with an elaborate tale involving a runaway bus, nuns and a nursery school. I saw a dumbass teenager run out in the road once. He saw the car just in time and managed to slide his arse over the bonnet. He then ran back to the original side of the street The driver didn't know what was going on or what to do. Nor did all the bystanders wondering WTF was the kid doing. Yesterday I was approaching a level crossing and the barriers were about to drop. Again, a dumbass hoody wearing street rat, ran out right in front of me causing me to brake. He then ran under the lowering barriers, ducked just in time too, across the tracks, between the gap in the barriers on the other side then walked off on his merry way. At no point did he look over his shoulder before running into the road in front of me - there must have been inches to spare. It would have been a bigger gap but I can't mindread morons.

Edited by Ouchie, 10 February 2011 - 06:11 PM.

[moospeed]

I nearly ran an old bloke over who had just stepped out onto the teaming wet road I was driving on. When he looked around in shock it was my granddad !! Often wonder if I'd made the papers if I'd hit him. Btw. not a deliberate thing in case you're thinking 'inheritance' Can't imagine how you feel, I spread a cat up the road in a sierra once which shook me up. The cat probably wasn't that chuffed either.

[VIX]

At 7.55am today I am driving my van of to see a new customer, in Bucknall, Stoke on Trent.

I stop at the traffic lights and when green proceed on down the road. However unknown to me 25 meters down the road there was a chap crossing the road.

Then....
He's half way across the road and 2 meters in front of my van, smack......
The guys impacted the front of my van and the windscreen is in a bit of a sorry state. At this point I'm thinking... well you probably know.....

Sorry to read this and hope everyone is ok. You don't say how you didn't see him?