Thursday, 30 November 2017

Baby's first head-on


Another Volvo bites the dust. The driver of the new VW van was going so fast, that even though I stopped, he pushed me 10 feet backwards - see my black tyre marks,

The Eastern European (IMMIGRANT!) delivery driver was probably over- worked and was probably looking at his phone before he noticed me approaching around the blind bend.

Anyway, this is my first - and I hope last - experience of setting off air-bags in a head-on collision. It is bloody shocking. The cab fills up with smoke. Air-bags are set off with nitro-glycerine capsules. After I had finished swearing at the poor sod, I began to feel sorry for him. I think he will be deported.

I was on the edge of my client's estate, so one phone call brought about 6 men with radios to my rescue. The Eastern European must have thought I was some sort of Godfather.

I actually thank God that I was the only person in the car and that I survived uninjured. There is no airbag on H.I.'s side.

I am a lucky man, and I needed to replace that car anyway.
at

43 comments:

  1. A Heron's View30 November 2017 at 14:42

    Lady Luck was on your side in more than one way and Volvo' are safe vehicles in crashes - they are designed to to take bad knocks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson30 November 2017 at 15:35

      I would have two broken legs in a smaller car.

      Delete
  2. Rachel Phillips30 November 2017 at 14:59

    My Citroen would have been a crumpled wreck with that impact. I trust you are fully ok tonight x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson30 November 2017 at 15:38

      Yes, miraculously, I am thank you. I feel almost enriched by the experience. Thank you for your concern.

      Delete
  3. Jennifer30 November 2017 at 15:22

    Oh Tom! I'm glad you're ok! I'm sure a good stiff drink was in order after such an ordeal.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jennifer30 November 2017 at 15:23

    Also, I'll bet you'll be sore tomorrow and the next day. :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson30 November 2017 at 15:41

      No, I don't think so. My arms were stiff from keeping my face away from the airbag, but aside from that I am fine, My last thoughts were - 'this is going to hurt' - but it didn't! I am so lucky.

      Delete
    2. Jennifer30 November 2017 at 20:24

      Just wait. You might be (unpleasantly) surprised. I do hope not, though.

      Delete
    3. Tom Stephenson1 December 2017 at 03:12

      All fine today...

      Delete
  5. Joanne Noragon30 November 2017 at 15:43

    Yes, it's good you're OK. Too bad if the fellow is deported. Driving is serious business.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson30 November 2017 at 15:48

      He was/is only about 25, so this is a hard lesson for him. Needs to be learned though.

      Delete
  6. Tom Stephenson30 November 2017 at 15:47

    We blocked the lane for two hours, but my client's security men were posted either side of the crash by half a mile, so other drivers were diverted. No police were involved at all.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jane Karwat30 November 2017 at 16:55

    I am glad you are ok and that must have been quite the crash.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe30 November 2017 at 17:53

    I hope he had enough insurance to pay for the damage to your car. You were very lucky, Tom, to get out of that accident without injury. A Volvo is a great car.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson1 December 2017 at 02:36

      He was insured, but my car is a write-off. I will just get another old Volvo. They have served me well.

      Delete
  9. Iris30 November 2017 at 20:17

    Looking at how far your car was pushed back, I can hardly believe that you came out of this without injuries. But, of course, I am very glad that you are OK. Holy friggin moly! If I had been in your place, the adrenaline rush would've probably killed me!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Cro Magnon30 November 2017 at 21:08

    Jeeeezus; looks like a close shave. Good thing you don't drive a Trabant.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson1 December 2017 at 02:37

      Both me and the Trabant would have been in splinters.

      Delete
  11. Sue30 November 2017 at 22:55

    Takes a lot to crumple a Volvo like that. Pleased to hear that you escaped without injury. Just wondering who the hell your 'client' is to have so many security men. Must be Mafia or Royal Family.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Jacqueline @ HOME1 December 2017 at 01:30

    Oh Tom ..... that must have been awful ... I bet it shook you up. I wet myself if someone beeps at me !!!! Thank goodness you escaped without injury .... have a restful day today .... these things can shake you up. XXXX

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson1 December 2017 at 03:10

      Today is all accident-related paperwork...

      Delete
    2. Tom Stephenson1 December 2017 at 14:21

      See my message below. I cannot send stuff to BT Internet! Bastards!

      Delete
  13. Yael1 December 2017 at 02:09

    You are a lucky man indeed.Good that you are ok.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson1 December 2017 at 03:11

      You know when they say, 'BRACE, BRACE' on airlines? I said it to myself.

      Delete
  14. The Weaver of Grass1 December 2017 at 06:15

    Glad nobody on either side was seriously hurt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson1 December 2017 at 11:34

      I am glad that H.I. was not in the passenger seat.

      Delete
  15. donna baker1 December 2017 at 08:57

    So scary. My daughter in law recently had a wreck and was left bruised from the airbags. She said they hurt when they go off. Glad you are alright.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson1 December 2017 at 11:36

      I have lived in fear of that airbag since I bought the car. I kept well away from it when I knew it would go off. I have seen airbags covered in blood before now.

      Delete
  16. libby1 December 2017 at 11:03

    My goodness you are a lucky man...I'm very glad you are ok....but it must have shaken you a little..take care.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Britta1 December 2017 at 11:46

    You had what we in Germany call "luck in misfortune" - easily that could have been worse - though it even now looks bad!
    But you were not hurt: luck. And H.I. didn't sit beside you, so escaped being hurt: luck.
    And the driver of the other car wasn't hurt - The damage to the cars: annoying, yes. I hope insurance pays for another Volvo.
    And the driver of the other car should offer you a big bottle of Whisky - as excuse for such a nerve-robbing experience!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson1 December 2017 at 13:03

      Yes. My biggest reason for gratitude was that H.I. was not in the passenger seat. That would have been very different and very bad.

      Delete
  18. John Going Gently1 December 2017 at 13:04

    As long as you are ok! Perhaps the thick head of hair saved you as well

    ReplyDelete
  19. John Going Gently1 December 2017 at 13:22

    Bloody hell just realised the length of the skid push...he hit you hard! Did you get checked out in the hospital?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson1 December 2017 at 14:12

      No. There is nothing wrong with me that wasn't wrong already. No whiplash, no nothing. I am a tough old bird.

      Delete
  20. Tom Stephenson1 December 2017 at 14:17

    Message to Jack@ - My stupid mail-server will not speak to your stupid mail-server. I cannot send stuff to BT Internet! Thanks for your message and I will try to reply some other way. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jacqueline @ HOME2 December 2017 at 00:45

      No worries ...... just wanted to see how you were after your accident. Take care. XXXX

      Delete
    2. Tom Stephenson2 December 2017 at 03:56

      It is about time BT Internet stopped punishing my mail server. Thanks for your email, though.

      Delete
  21. Sol23 December 2017 at 15:36

    Holy Sh!t Tom! When I had my accident the air bag didnt deploy correctly and that is why my face hit the steering wheel, and the side bag curtains smashed me further. Looking at this, maybe I need a volvo, there was nothing left of my car at the front. The engine was right up into the cockpit area in the car. looks like volvo is a tank in disguise!

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)