A rather scary occurrence

[soubasse32]

I had car trouble yesterday and had to pull off the freeway during rush hour; while waiting for help I pondered the implications of missingthat evening'srehearsal. I alsoworried abouthowI'd be able tofunction without a car during this ridiculously busy week. A flatbed truck came to pick up the car; while the emptycar was being winched up onto the flatbed, the cable snapped! As we were on a steep incline the car began to roll away at a good clip. Unfortunately, we were also on on a blind curve - oncoming traffic couldn't see us until they were nearly upon the scene.</P>


As the cartook off down the hill towards the busy freewayIran after itas fast as possible - very hard to do, sinceI had a heavysatchel of music under my arm. I grabbed the handle of the passenger (right) side door and got it open, but as soon as the door hit its stopping pointI was yanked quite forcefully by the accelerating car, as ifbeingflungby acatapult.Islid a good distanceon the gravel and tore up some skin. I was lucky to have been thrown away from, rather thanunder the car.</P>


Even though I had the wind knocked out of me I wasfrantic at the sight of the empty carheading towardsfive lanes of 70mph traffic!</P>


The fellow who operated the winch was somehow able to make it to the emergency brake. I don't know how in the world he was able to catch the car in time, and I don't know how he was even able to run along that side of the car asthere was so little space between my car and thespeedingtraffic.</P>


I have a ton of rehearsals and concertsin the next two weeks (plus Holy Week) -not a good time to be out of commission!I feel a bit battered and have asore leg today, but in all I'd say I'm just happy to be in one piece! [:S]</P>


I'm off to rehearsals for the rest of the day, so I'll catch up with you all later tonight.</P>

[Menschenstimme]

Re: A rather scary occurrence



Angels and ministers of grace defend us!</P>


On April 1, 2007 - which was Palm Sunday evening - I was tuning the organ and the ladder slipped out from under me. I broke my femur into three pieces and it took almost a year to fully recover.</P>


Do guardian angels take vacations?</P>


SIGH!</P>

[NYCFarmboy]

Re: A rather scary occurrence

oh my GOODNESS....so glad you are ok!!!!!......wow.

[Guest]

Re: A rather scary occurrence

Heavens whatan occurence! Angels were certainly guarding you. Thank goodness nothing was broken, either on you or the car! Hope the car repairs turn out to be simple and your bumps and brusies mend quickly. Peace.

[Mondochuck]

Re: A rather scary occurrence

Soubasse, so sorry you had a rough go at it yesterday. You're on my prayer list.

[soubasse32]

Re: A rather scary occurrence



Hello again. [:)]</P>


Thanks forthe nice thoughts - I really appreciate it. My knee, shoulder, and arm arestill rather sore; my entire body feels pretty 'creaky' today. [:^)]</P>


Tonight I got through a long dress rehearsal for an upcoming choral concert; one concession I made was that I'll doone of the major workson the pianoinstead of the organ. The score (an orchestral piano reduction) requires a bit too much physical work at the organ, but I feel at ease playing it on the piano. So I'mrelieved for that changeand am happythe director didn't seem to mind.</P>


The car needs a water pump - the second one in as many years. [:@] It also needs a few other repairs, all to the tune of $1,300.</P>


I'm thinking its time for another car! But that is not exactly in my budget. [:^)]</P>


Thanks for listening to me babble about abunch of odds &amp; ends. [:D] I'll be back to my usual self soon.</P>

[LPhilbrick]

Re: A rather scary occurrence

Glad to hear that you escaped without serious injuries! Hope you heal soon.

[BOZ]

Re: A rather scary occurrence



Soubasse32,</p>

Please take care. The world needs MORE people like you, not less. We're praying for your quick recovery.</p>

 </p>

[Larrytow]

Re: A rather scary occurrence



Wow Soubasse ! I certainly hope you are recovering OK. I have lots to say about this as an owner of a towing service, but do not have time at this moment. Perhaps later. </p>

</p>

Best wishes, Larry
</p>

[soubasse32]

Re: A rather scary occurrence



Oh, LarryTOW - I get it! [:D]</P>


I'm happy to say that I'm pretty much healed, andthe concerts went well... just one more recital to do (on Friday) and then Easter services.</P>


Unfortunately, the quote on the car has gone up to $4,000 as the head gasket is blown.</P>


Sois my bank account. [:s]</P>


Oh well, as I always say: 'tomorrow is another day'. [:)]</P>

[davidecasteel]

Re: A rather scary occurrence



Cars can be repaired--all it takes is money. Repairing humans is more problematical. I'm glad you are on the mend!</P>


David[:D]</P>

[Larrytow]

Re: A rather scary occurrence



Hi again Soubasse, here are some of my thoughts regarding your recent unfortunate experience. You wrote in part : </p>

</p>

&gt;&gt;A flatbed truck came to pick up the car; while the emptycar was
being winched up onto the flatbed, the cable snapped! As we were on a
steep incline the car began to roll away at a good clip. &lt;&lt; </p>

First of all, find a new towing Co !!! There is absolutely NO excuse for having a cable break on a flatbed truck. That is poor maintenance of the highest order. The cable on a flatbed winch is usually never subjected to the stress that could cause a sudden catastrophic failure without the cable showing Many indications of abuse. Any Co that can let a cable ( not to mention the rest of the truck ) get in a condition where it will fail like that, has to make you wonder how they will take care of your car while towing it.
</p>

</p>


&gt;&gt;Unfortunately, we were also on on a blind curve - oncoming traffic
couldn't see us until they were nearly upon the scene.&lt;&lt;</p>

This of course can't be helped. It is a hazard in our business.
</p>

&gt;&gt;As the cartook off down the hill towards the busy freewayIran
after itas fast as possible - very hard to do, sinceI had a
heavysatchel of music under my arm. I grabbed the handle of the
passenger (right) side door and got it open, but as soon as the door
hit its stopping pointI was yanked quite forcefully by the
accelerating car, as ifbeingflungby acatapult.Islid a good
distanceon the gravel and tore up some skin. I was lucky to have been
thrown away from, rather thanunder the car.&lt;&lt;</p>

Well sorry, but here I Must yell at you some. You had NO business trying to rescue the situation that was Not caused by You ! Once the tow driver hooks on to your car, whatever happens is his ( the Co's ) fault. I understand the natural reaction is to try to help, but as you found out, it is not always ( if ever in that situation ) a good idea. It could have caused a bad accident for certain, but putting ones body between moving vehicles is always a bad idea.
</p>


&gt;&gt;Even though I had the wind knocked out of me I wasfrantic at the
sight of the empty carheading towardsfive lanes of 70mph traffic!&lt;&lt;</p>

For sure it is not a pleasant thought to see ones car potentially wrecked that way. But, if that had occurred, the Co's insurance ( presuming they had any) would have come into play. Vehicles can be replaced; you cannot be !
</p>


&gt;&gt;The fellow who operated the winch was somehow able to make it to the
emergency brake. I don't know how in the world he was able to catch
the car in time, and I don't know how he was even able to run along
that side of the car asthere was so little space between my car and
thespeedingtraffic.&lt;&lt; </p>

Well that was not the smartest thing for him to do either, but it is his responsibility to mitigate damage in a situation that should Never occur in the first place. </p>

At any rate, I am glad to know that You are OK . I truly enjoy reading your comprehensive, intelligent reply's to posts here. Have a successful Holy Week !</p>

Oh, one more thing. If I ( or any of my drivers ) had been doing this call, you would never have been in a position to even attempt to help or get hurt. You would have been in the cab of my truck while I was loading your car. Particularly on a freeway !
</p>