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        New Message Board Archives >> 2007 General Board Posts >> What would you have done?
        
(Message started by: catlind on Jun 18^th, 2007, 9:49am)

Title: What would you have done?
Post by catlind on Jun 18^th, 2007, 9:49am

This isn't about someone looking to be a hero. But he was and is a hero.

On Friday at 5pm there was a serious accident at the corner of giles and hwy 50 - that intersection is terrible, and all the rush hour traffic comes through there. It's the first intersection from I-80 to get to anywhere.

Clark was waiting for the light, the second car behind a pick up truck on Giles waiting to cross hwy 50. On that corner is a major power station.

Out of nowhere, Clark saw this dump truck coming down the hill to the light at about 60mph. Clark couldn't see the jeep because of the truck.

He heard the crunch, and then saw the jeep being twisted and shoved by the dump truck and when the jeep hit the curb it spun around, and the back of the dump truck hit the curb and rolled.

It rolled onto the power station. Clark said that he saw the one transformer lift up off the ground shoot electricity bolts all over the place and then fall back in place.

He and the guy in the pick up immediately pulled over and raced over the dump truck - keep in mind, they could only see the back of the jeep, and it appeared to be relatively ok. They got to the truck and fuel was leaking everywhere - with a live power station 20 feet away and the back of the truck lying on top of one of the transformers. The driver had to climb out the window because the truck was on the passenger side. Clark jumped on the truck and helped him out.

He then went to the jeep...

Others were at the jeep and had help the driver out. As Clark approached the rear passenger door he saw (I apologize for the graphics, but I want you to understand what he went through) a large amount of blood on the pavement. The woman, whom he originally thought was a young teen, was bleeding profusely and while he saw her right side of her head appeared to be ok, the left side of her head was not he refuses to talk about what he saw. He was approaching to check her pulse, when he heard a guy on a cell phone with 911 say 'fatality'. At that point he turned and stood in the middle of the intersection - a VERY busy intersection that processes cars in the 100's everyday at rush hour including many 18 wheelers and dump trucks.

He stood there and immediately began to direct traffic to get the chaos under control and ensure there was a clear lane for emergency vehicles to get to the scene. We later learned the woman was alive and was medivaced to the hospital. It was a 16 year old driver, and it was her mother in the backseat - the mother passed away later that night.

When the police arrived, they gave him an orange vest and told him to carry on, he was apparently doing a really good job. He declined, saying he needed to go home. He came home in shock and needing alot of mental healing.

You can find the story here: http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/8027477.html
There are a couple comments, the last one is by Alex, my son. One is from one of our neighbours.

How many of you would climb onto a crashed truck leaking huge amounts fuel right next to an arcing transformer and power station?

I'd like to think I would.....but I can't say for sure.

On Friday June 15th I found my hero all over again.

Cat

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by Callico on Jun 18^th, 2007, 10:03am

Mine too! I see to much of that stuff on the roads, and very few will bother to do more than rubber neck. Please give him a great big thank you from me, until I get the opportunity to do it personally.

Jerry

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by Maffumatt on Jun 18^th, 2007, 10:22am

I would have done the same thing. When people are in need, act ! To little of that any more.
Matt

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by seasonalboomer on Jun 18^th, 2007, 10:35am

Some people are wired to fight, some are wired for flight. It allows for survival of the species - both ways. I always find myself running toward a mess to help and then often shake my head later as to how crazy something was.

Good for Clark. Many cultures believe strongly in the cosmic value of saving a life. I do too.

Scott

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by Ray on Jun 18^th, 2007, 10:39am

I would like to think I would, as I was an EMT, seemingly millions of years ago. Sidebar: When living in The Netherlands, all cars were required to have a specific first aid kit and were required to stop and render aid or face stiff fines.

None of this is ment to take away from your hero, well done under the worst of circumstances!

Ray

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by JenniferD on Jun 18^th, 2007, 10:58am

That is a hero! Give him a big ol hug from me too, and my respect.

Jen

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by George_J on Jun 18^th, 2007, 11:59am

on 06/18/07 at 10:35:02, seasonalboomer wrote:

Some people are wired to fight, some are wired for flight.

I certainly think this is true. No way of knowing, really, which one you'll be unless or until you're confronted with the choice to act or not. It's not written in stone, however--training can alter your reactions.

Fine thing that Clark did--but very difficult to deal with the emotional consequences. I hope he will decide to talk to someone about it if he needs to. It can make a big difference.

Best wishes,

George

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by alchemy on Jun 18^th, 2007, 12:14pm

Clark's a good man a true hero indeed.

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by tanner on Jun 18^th, 2007, 12:14pm

Cat, I know that I would have done the same and I suspect for some reason that most Clusterheads would also. Don't ask me why I (feel) that way about us...... I just do.

As for Clark he was already on my Hero list for other reasons, so I am not at all surprised by his actions.

I do hope and pray that he will work his way past the trauma of the event quickly and completely.

Peace, Love and Light.........Tim :-*

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by Guiseppi on Jun 18^th, 2007, 12:20pm

27 years in law enforcement and I've lost track of the number of times I've been to see the counselors. No shame in it. If he starts showing any ill effects, nightmares, sleep disruptions etc. you get him in to yack with someone. They teach you techniques to logically process these kind of incidents.

That being said my hat is off to him. Being a hero just means doing the right thing even when you wanna wet yourself!!!!!

Guiseppi

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by Mosaicwench on Jun 18^th, 2007, 1:11pm

on 06/18/07 at 10:35:02, seasonalboomer wrote:

Excellent point. I start to think of how crazy I was when the shakes and the teeth chattering set in.

I'll add Clark to my list of heros - he deserves it!

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by catlind on Jun 18^th, 2007, 1:25pm

Guiseppi, he went today to talk to a counsellor. It hit him hard. He was in a state of shock for the first while, then the tears came, then the guilt - "I should have checked her pulse, I should have tried to help her, tried to stop the bleeding, I shouldn't have accepted the word fatality from the person on the cell phone, I should have checked her pulse - it might have made a difference"

That's the demon he's dealing with. Even though I explained there was no way he could have helped her - she was pinned in the vehicle and he wouldn't have been able to move her or even get to the left side of her that the wound was so serious, and the femoral artery cuts were pinned by the engine so there was no way to staunch the blood. Yet even with the logic of that knowledge, he carries a huge load of guilt for not even checking her pulse.

Hopefully his counsellor will be more successful than I at helping him understand that.

Cat

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by thomas on Jun 18^th, 2007, 1:38pm

What an outstanding example of heroism. This is going to be a tough one for him to get over. I had a friend when I was in the Army who was coming into work early in the morning during a torential rain, a lady's car had went into a deep ditch that was full of water, he dove down and saved her (he was not a good swimmer at all). Once he got her up and safe, she was screaming about her child, he dove another three times and wasn't able to save the child. To my knowledge he still carries that guilt with him, and it's been over 15 years ago since it happened. Seeing a counselor is a definate good thing. He's got to walk away from that situation with the GOOD that he did. Most of us are harder on ourselves than any one else. Hopefully he can get over the "guilt" that is plagueing him right now. But it will be a long road, and he will need you to support him through it all.

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by minnie on Jun 18^th, 2007, 2:08pm

Cat,
I have always known what a brave husband you have.....the military life isn't easy on anyone so you are also brave.Clarke controlling traffic may have stopped several other accidents from happenning.He probably saved lives that he never thought of.It's amazing how many secondary accidents happen from people rubber necking to get a view.As for you question.....How many of you would climb onto a crashed truck leaking huge amounts fuel right next to an arcing transformer and power station?

I'd like to think I would.....but I can't say for sure either.I know for my kids my instincts would kick in and theres no way I would be out of there till they were.God forbid,they die I die period.But I know that wasn't the case here.
Minnie

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by Guiseppi on Jun 18^th, 2007, 2:15pm

Cat I have had several babies dies on me, either while doing CPR or just from trauma, obviously being a parent they hit you really hard. You never lose the shitty feeling that maybe you could have done something else, but the counselors teach you how to process the event so it doesn't eat you up. It just sucks when people die. Thomas is right, this'll take more then a day to get over, hug him a lot.

Guiseppi

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by tanner on Jun 18^th, 2007, 4:45pm

BIG GROUP HUG for Clark and Cat!

Minnie makes a great point and we are all here for you both :)

Peace, Love and Light......Tim

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by Rosybabe on Jun 18^th, 2007, 5:38pm

on 06/18/07 at 16:45:59, tanner wrote:

BIG GROUP HUG for Clark and Cat!

here goes my BIG GROUP HUG FOR CLARK!

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by ClusterChuck on Jun 18^th, 2007, 5:41pm

My heart goes out to Clark. AND my respect.

Unfortunately, I know EXACTLY where he is. I have been there. I have told VERY few people about this. It still bothers me, to this day. On July 7th of 1967, I was driving my father's car, to a friend's house. Several towns away, I was coming up over a hill, and saw a convertible, up in the air, as it was flipping over, after hitting a parked car. Also, flying thru the air, was a person (the driver). I pulled over, and rushed over to the woman, lying in the road. Several other people were also rushing over. They were about to pick her up, and move her out of the roadway. I remembered my boy scout training, and the relatively new instructions, to NOT move the person, if at all possible. Wait for trained professionals. I became a bit of a pompous ass, and refused to let anyone move her. I finally convinced them to just cover her, and wait for the ambulance. Several of us put out flares, and directed traffic around her and the damaged autos. The woman died the next day, from massive head, neck, and spinal injuries. To this day, I wonder if I or we could have done something to ensure she lived. It was hardest, the first couple months. But the guilt has never fully gone away.

I was told to "buck up" and quit being a wimp. Counseling was never even discussed. It should have been.

Fortunately, Clark has the support (not the ridicule I had) of his family, and professionals, to help him thru this. He needs it. Cat, don't let ANYONE belittle the feelings he has right now. He NEEDS to talk it out, with both you and professionals.

Now, to your question, would I do it, as Clark did? I seriously don't know. Maybe, because of my past, I would, so that THIS time, I MIGHT be able to save a live. OR, I might go the other way, and be afraid to stop, and go thru that again. I really don't know. Hopefully, I will never be put to that test.

But, God bless Clark for what he DID do, and please give him all the support he needs.

Chuck

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by LeLimey on Jun 18^th, 2007, 5:59pm

Oh Cat, you must be so proud of him and rightly so.

Give him our love and tell him he is an amazing human being.

lots and lots of love
Helen xxx

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by Mosaicwench on Jun 18^th, 2007, 8:19pm

There are truly angels among us here.

God bless you all - and give you the peace you seek.

I stand in admiration of everyone of you.

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by Charlie on Jun 18^th, 2007, 8:59pm

I love clusterheads.

Wonderful story and I'd like to think I would be able to do what he did. Clark gives us someone to emulate.

We have a hero now.

Charlie

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by Jonny on Jun 18^th, 2007, 9:20pm

Big ups to Clark for what he did, but I myself would have kept driving on my way.

Way too many stories on the news about a dude helping to change a flatire getting run over by a drunk.

Selfish?.....I dont think so!

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by stevegeebe on Jun 18^th, 2007, 9:53pm

I honestly don't know. These types of events will usually, when experienced by many, have a certain percentage rise to the occasion.

What is sometimes missed is the best intensions of the followers of those who are compeled to take the leadership role.

I had such an event in my life and while many said I did all of the correct things, I still rewind the tape and think of all of the things I didn't do. I do thank God that others were a part of the collective Human concern for anothers life and ultiamte comfort during a horrible life altering event.

Steve G

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by Lotus on Jun 19^th, 2007, 12:01am

A great salute to Clark ! He is a real hero ! He is not a professional and doesnt have special training yet he jumped right in without thinking of his own safety. That showed how big his heart is. You ought to be so very proud of him.

Please remind him that even professionals cant save everyone and they also break down emotionally from feelings of guilt and indequacy and failure too. Please encourage him to keep going to counselling as required. Its natural for the shock to last a while but the more he can talk about it the easier it will be.

Hugs to you all

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by Ray on Jun 19^th, 2007, 12:08am

on 06/19/07 at 00:01:28, Lotus wrote:

Please remind him that even professionals cant save everyone and they also break down emotionally from feelings of guilt and indequacy and failure too.

FYI: That is why, in part, I'm not still an EMT.

Ray

Title: Re: What would you have done?
Post by Brewcrew on Jun 19^th, 2007, 7:53am

I don't know what I would have done, Cat. I like to think that I would have put my own concerns aside to help a stranger in a very dangerous situation. But I just don't know. There are others who count on me as well.

I do know this: People who do what Clark did have my undying admiration and instantly achieve hero status in my heart. To have the courage to do what he did - these are the things that leave the rest of us speechless. Hopefully his actions and bravery will serve as a shining example for others who may find themselves in the same situation.