Last night our house was the center of attention of the local emergency services community. At around 8:45, we heard a crash outside. Sharlotte poked her head out the door. To the right the electrical lines were swinging. To the left was a red pickup truck sitting in our gully with smoking coming out of the hood. Being the crass tacky american that I am, here is a picture, after the driver was extricated (it was dark, so apologies for the picture quality)
I called 911 and started tearing up the house for Sharlotte's Jump Bag (her personal EMT kit) while she went out to assess the situation. She saw the driver unconcious in the front seat covered in blood. Not having rubber gloves, she look around the cab and found some work gloves ("at least it was some insulation") and started applying some traction to his head. The cops showed up (with some gloves) and had 911 expidited. Eventually the ambulance showed up and started treating the guy, allowing Sharlotte a chance to wash off the blood.
And then more emergency vehicles showed up. another cop or two (for traffic control), a fire engine (in case the car exploded), a heavy rescue unit or two (jaws of life, baby), and a couple more ambulances. He was taken to a local hospital. The ambulance drivers weren't optimistic about his chances :-(
Our neighbors Bob and Marjie (the ones across the bridge) came over to make sure we were OK - they could see the lights of the emergency vehicles from their place.
This accident was very strange. There was no squealing of brakes. Just a single big noise. He managed to drive through the neighbor's neighbor's yard (missing a fence), through the neighbor's yard (missing a fence and a gas meter), and into our yard, missing our fence, but clipping our electric pole. The investigators were easily there 2 hours measuring and doing whatever it is that investigators do. The conclusion at the end of the evening was that he probably had a stroke or a heart attack and was unconcious when he hit.
After the investigation was over, and most of the tonnage of emergency vehicles were sent home, the tow truck driver came in to remove the vehicle (you can see how deep the gully is there). Sharlotte & I were standing around with an EMS person and a young trainee (the trainee is the grainy blob to the left). We watch in horror as the toe truck driver hoisted the truck up and crawled underneath it doing whatever it is that toe truck drivers do. And, of course, the truck slipped from the cables and fell a couple of feet. It didn't crush the guy, though, but sure gave the rest of us a scare.
