Good deed for the day...

[muddyboots]

Driving to work this morning, quite early (around 6:15) in fairly rural parts and I see a car off the road down a ditch with lights on.

Never a good sign...so I stopped to check everyone is OK.

 

Only one bloke in the car, he was fine and his car was largely OK, a misjudgement on his part at a junction just saw him onto the grass verge a bit too far; he slid down the muddy bank, came to rest at the bottom and obviously couldn't get up. Car still running fine and driveable.

He wasn't sure what to do - his Mrs was stuck at home with 2 young kids so couldn't do anything to help, no breakdown cover etc...

 

So...having bought a hefty tow strap a few weeks ago in preparation for winter (to smugly help any neighbours etc who might get stuck) I thought....why not ?

 

Yeti pulled him up the bank back onto the road without breaking a sweat. Hardest bit was prising cover off of the back bumper to screw my towing eye in.

 

Aside from a whole load of mud stuck in his front bumper and a broken number plate (and probably some minor cosmetic damage) his car seemed fine - within a few minutes he was on his way.

 

Aren't Yetis awesome

 

[BossFox]

Nice one.

[Llanigraham]

Well done!!

Have a virtual drink.

[muddyboots]

On a more serious note, it's quite disturbing how many people will drive by an incident where someone could be hurt and not stop to help.

 

The chap this morning said he'd been down the ditch for probably 15 mins or more, and in that time more than 30 cars had passed and not stopped to help before I did. It wasn't like he was obscured from view. There could have been injured people in that car, it looked like there had been a bad accident, and miles from anywhere too.

 

A few years ago I was in a crash in my Ibiza. I'd gone through a stone wall at ~50mph and then rolled, after hitting another car (blame squarely on other car I hasten to add!). Actually on the same rural road as the above, a couple of miles further along. Completely dark. The other car was sat in the road with it's front right corner (wing, wheel, headlight) removed. My car resting on top of a wall with considerable damage. My mobile phone nowhere to be seen, lost during the rollover. Glass and debris all over the road. And yet, the first 10-15 cars on scene didn't stop - they slowly crunched through the broken glass and went on their merry way. Even when the other dirver got out and bizarrely started crawling across the carriageway - they still drove round him.

 

And a couple of years ago, a small van travelling a couple of hundred yards ahead of me had a head-on with a car overtaking towards him round a bend. The driver of the oncoming car was sat motionless in his car, dazed. The driver of the van was in pain and had blood running out of his finger - his hand had gone through the windscreen. Again - loads of cars just squeezed past and didn't stop. I called the emergency services and did what I could to help until they arrived. The driver of the car was conscious and talking so not too bad, and I patched up the van drivers finger and let him sit & shelter out of the rain in the back of my car (Passat Estate at the time).  When the paramedics opened the back of the van, they found half a ton of machinery strapped to a pallet that had hit the back of the driver's seat during impact, no wonder he was in pain.

 

All I ask of people is that if they see a situation like this, imagine it was you sat there in the cold and dark needing help, and imagine what it's like to see people drive by and ignore you.

At the very least pull up, and ask if help is needed, and be prepared to call the emergency services if nothing else. Even if you think people look OK - their passengers or kids might not be,

I understand that perhaps lone women, or people with young kids in the car don't want to leave their car on safety grounds - but there's nothing to stop you pulling up and asking out of the window if everyone's alright and/or calling 999.

 

Karma remember...

 

Rant over !

[Sporky McGuffin]

On a more serious note, it's quite disturbing how many people will drive by an incident where someone could be hurt and not stop to help.

 

I think the problem is that the media has spent years trying to terrify people that if they stop to help anyone it'll be a carjacking attempt.

[S76]

Well done Sir!

[Evil Miyagi]

On a more serious note, it's quite disturbing how many people will drive by an incident where someone could be hurt and not stop to help.

 

This!

 

On my way home a few months ago, I came across a van parked side on in a tree at the side of the A627 (M)...  He had been there for 10 minutes by his own account and I was the first to stop.  I called the emergency services (although there were no injuries or damage, surprisingly) who attended but only after I advised them he was trying to reverse his van back onto the carriageway...  Police and Highways arrived and I got on my way... I seem to recall the Police being non too pleased with the gent lol

 

BUT the point remains, when I stopped there was no sign of anybody only the van and his tail lights...

[Auric Goldfinger]

Well done!!

Have a virtual drink.

Indeed Well done Sir

 

" Do not Virtual Drink and Virtual Drive though "

[Llanigraham]

Being a First Aider and as I talk on "First On Scene" for some groups I will always stop, and have done for years.

Plenty of stories, some nice, some not, some that still make me upset.

 

Good one: coming home from work in the snow 2 years ago I got stopped by one of my local Police who was stood by a BMW 4x4 in a dangerous position in a hedge. Asked if I could pull him out with the Yeti, so strop around the hitch and through his (eventually found) towing eye, and out he pops onto the snowy road. Nice Policeman then reminds him how much a recovery truck would have cost and how much DWDC would cost, and I drove away with a nice blue note!!

 

I would encourage every one to do a First Aid course, and if possible a First on Scene as well 

[DarrellGB]

Being a First Aider and as I talk on "First On Scene" for some groups I will always stop, and have done for years.

Plenty of stories, some nice, some not, some that still make me upset.

 

Good one: coming home from work in the snow 2 years ago I got stopped by one of my local Police who was stood by a BMW 4x4 in a dangerous position in a hedge. Asked if I could pull him out with the Yeti, so strop around the hitch and through his (eventually found) towing eye, and out he pops onto the snowy road. Nice Policeman then reminds him how much a recovery truck would have cost and how much DWDC would cost, and I drove away with a nice blue note!!

 

I would encourage every one to do a First Aid course, and if possible a First on Scene as well

Agree with that, I have to hold an REC qual for my climbing and mountain bike instructors badges, always carry my Mountain Recue kit in the car and used it on more than one occasion.

[spottydog]

Nothing new I'm afraid. Years ago I was merging with a dual carriageway on my motorbike and must have hit some diesel at about 70mph. Slid down the road and me and the bike came to a stop in the outside lane. The first 20/30 cars just slowed down tooting their horns at the inconvenience and swerving around me. Luckily I was only walking wounded.

[ExpatHotspur]

Top work muddy boots.

 

A few years back, I was sat in a layby eating lunch when a women pulled in with a puncture. I offered help. She had already called the recovery services but was fretting about missing an appointment. So I changed the wheel for her, nipped the nuts up, put all the kit back in the boot and, covered in brake dust, was just in the process of telling her to have the torque checked when she could when the RAC arrived. He jumped out and said "you do realize what you've done is illegal, you are liable if that women has an accident now, have you received training on how to change a wheel etc". So then I found myself apologizing to the grateful & quite bewildered lady for "endangering" her.

 

I've also been told by a counsel worker (after clearing snow from pavements and gritting the clear surface for the 6 houses either side of us) that I would be liable for prosecution should anyone slip on the prepared surface. My elderly neighbors appreciated it though.

[Llanigraham]

Sorry, but the RAC man was talking through his anal orifice!! Ditto the Council worker.

[Evil Miyagi]

If the choice is between life and death, I'll take the risk of being sued personally...

 

I would feel much worse if I could have assisted somebody but didn't and the worst then came to the worst

[g6zru]

Sorry, but the RAC man was talking through his anal orifice!! Ditto the Council worker.

I agree Graham but it seems to happen more often nowadays. It's either poorly trained H&S persons or ambulance chasers.      

 

Fred

[Llanigraham]

Exactly Fred.

I have a standard response to those that mention "H & S doesn't allow..." nowadays, and that is to ask for a copy of their Risk Assessment. Amazing how many haven't actually done one! 

[spottydog]

Sorry, but the RAC man was talking through his anal orifice!! Ditto the Council worker.

Unfortunately as much as it may sound like a load of b***ocks it is technically correct.

As has been mentioned if you clear the public footpath outside your house of snow or ice and it refreezes, if anyone slips and hurts themselves you are liable.

[Llanigraham]

Unfortunately as much as it may sound like a load of b***ocks it is technically correct.

As has been mentioned if you clear the public footpath outside your house of snow or ice and it refreezes, if anyone slips and hurts themselves you are liable.

 

Sorry, but unless you can actually find me the Legislation I will say you are wrong. 

We ran a business for the last 10 years and were actively encouraged to clear the pavement outside our shop. The local Chamber of Trade looked into this supposed "rule" and could find nothing to confirm it.

Over to you!

[spottydog]

And I worked in Health and Safety for 14 years. I have seen the legislation but can't recall it and can't be bothered to look. I have had to settle claims similar to yours where the company was liable.

[Sporky McGuffin]

Unfortunately as much as it may sound like a load of b***ocks it is technically correct.

As has been mentioned if you clear the public footpath outside your house of snow or ice and it refreezes, if anyone slips and hurts themselves you are liable.

 

Only if you did a negligent job in the first place. The HSE have been very clear about this, as have ISOH. Furthermore if you want to play qualifcations top-trumps, my NEBOSH certified wife described this myth in exactly the terms you used in your first sentence - if you did a responsible job of the initial clearing you cannot be held responsible for an act of nature.

[spottydog]

Only if you did a negligent job in the first place. The HSE have been very clear about this, as have ISOH. Furthermore if you want to play qualifcations top-trumps, my NEBOSH certified wife described this myth in exactly the terms you used in your first sentence - if you did a responsible job of the initial clearing you cannot be held responsible for an act of nature.

Who mentioned qualifications or top trumps? Not the place to debate but on a final note my HS&E qualification and probably job are/were far higher than NEBOSH.

[Macdemon]

I did 2 good deeds last week..............

 

1. I had finished work at 11pm, and was waiting at the bus stop and noticed 2 unopened bottles of budweiser under the bench in the bus shelter.  After checking them carefully, they had not been opened, so I kept them.  There was a young lady/student who appeared moments later, so I explained that I had found the beer, and offered her one of the bottles.

 

2.  I was in town and on my way somewhere and was just passing the railway station.  A taxi pulled up and a man got out followed by a boy, and I noticed the boy had accidentally dropped some litter on the pavement next to the taxi.  They both rushed towards the station, and as I drew up alongside the taxi, suddenly noticed that the litter was a well folder £5 note, I called the boy back and handed the money to him, and he thanked me for my kindness,and even his father yelled "thank you' towards me.

 

Both events made me feel good, and wished I could carry on doing things like that.  

[wakev]

Well done for stopping and helping, would do the same myself and have done, but finding a car one morning  on it's roof through a hedge with the occupants still in strapped in the front seats sadly both dead, the ambulance crew said the accident must have happened the previous evening, lights would have still been on and visible but sadly no one stopped outcome could have been a lot different for the occupants.    

 

The other thing that I would say is as hard as it may sound don't put anyone in you car from a accident, I have been told more than once from a friend in the fire and rescue service that a person has put someone who felt OK in their car,  then they have developed neck or back pain.  you all know how they remove someone with suspected spinal or neck injures.  yes they remove the roof of your undamaged car, i'm not joking.  

[Llanigraham]

Correct Kevin.

It's even happened to a Police Car!!

[thingy]

Some above seems (to me) a bit off subject. Still what the hell do I know.

To those above who stopped, THANK YOU. One day it may be me.

I'm part of the clan that will stop to offer help or make a phone call.

If the up nose persons quote H&S, I make the point, I offered to help not take charge.