Wondering why I hadn't heard from a mate

pauljh74 · 28-05-2009, 08:12 PM

The last contact I had with a friend was almost 2 years ago - I had sent a few e-mails and got no response. I thought he's not the sort of person to blow people off like that. Perhaps he moved and lost my info I was thinking. Then last night I got a call from him.

He said he was in a car accident in November 2007. Driving along Heatherton Rd crossing Westall Rd in Clayton South, he said both roads had a green signal and he got hit by a semi doing about 80km/h. I assume some witnesses provided this info. He was driving an early 90's Pulsar SSS. There wouldn't have been much little left of it afterwards. The fact there's anything left of him is surprising in itself.

So he's spent a year in hospital, 5 months in special accommodation associated with the hospital and had heaps of physio. He just got out recently and is staying with his folks for a little bit. He's had numerous operations and will be having another for a titanium elbow soon as his arm was broken in 6 places. He suffered skull fractures, broken ribs, punctured lungs and he said he suffered some brain damage as his lungs weren't getting enough oxygen to the brain after the crash. Whether the damage is permanent I don't know at this point. He sounded normal. The call wasn't too long, so I'll get more details off him when I catch up with him.

The TAC has paid for a motorised scooter so he can get around, as he needs a crutch to aid walking. With such extensive injuries, it's a matter of how "normal" he will be after recovery.

fpvluver · 28-05-2009, 10:39 PM

lucky to live through it i lost a mate last night that wasn't so lucky to get out of it and another two weeks before that on the same road there just might be a plan for all us but i hope he gets well and back upto 100%

**ebxr8240** · 29-05-2009, 11:39 AM

Yea and we all think we have issues!!!
Hope he improves!!

**DJM83** · 29-05-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebxr8240

Yea and we all think we have issues!!!
Hope he improves!!

There is always someone worse off then you, but in this case not really his fault. Hope all goes well.

pauljh74 · 29-05-2009, 07:19 PM

He has family and plenty of friends willing to help him through it.

dave289 · 31-05-2009, 10:07 AM

both roads had a green signal, must admit I've never seen or heard of this before.

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pauljh74 · 31-05-2009, 12:55 PM

If he was running the red - which I doubt - because he does have brains, he would have seen the semi coming at that intersection and not done it. I can only assume others provided that information after the fact. The semi driver would have to be crazy to run a red, as even if he saw a car and changed his mind, there wouldn't be much he could do about it at that point. I'll be certain to get more details when I get the opportunity.

Spanrz · 31-05-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauljh74

The semi driver would have to be crazy to run a red, as even if he saw a car and changed his mind, there wouldn't be much he could do about it at that point. I'll be certain to get more details when I get the opportunity.

A semi loaded with 30-40 odd tonne doesn't stop on a dime. Or if he was bobtail (no trailer hooked up) as well.
When a truck skids when bobtail, there is no control (or very little).
Most semi's will run a light like this.

A bad situation of a semi running a light, just because, is the Lynbrook one about a year ago. Truck ran the light so bad, a car turned right onto South Gippy Hwy and T-Boned it. Fatality.
There is about 5 seconds when the light goes red to where the car was T- Boned. So he ran the light pretty badly.

Would a longer yellow assist in warning people to stop?

RegSpec · 31-05-2009, 10:09 PM

In the right or in the wrong........it doesn't matter....
What does is the fact that he's still with us.....he's extremely lucky that he wasn't killed outright.......I wish him well...

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Quote:

Originally Posted by pauljh74

So he's spent a year in hospital, 5 months in special accommodation associated with the hospital and had heaps of physio. He just got out recently and is staying with his folks for a little bit. He's had numerous operations and will be having another for a titanium elbow soon as his arm was broken in 6 places. He suffered skull fractures, broken ribs, punctured lungs and he said he suffered some brain damage as his lungs weren't getting enough oxygen to the brain after the crash. Whether the damage is permanent I don't know at this point. He sounded normal. The call wasn't too long, so I'll get more details off him when I catch up with him.

The TAC has paid for a motorised scooter so he can get around, as he needs a crutch to aid walking. With such extensive injuries, it's a matter of how "normal" he will be after recovery.

And this should be printed on every driver's licence application as well....
Just to help drive the point home.......

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