NCEP - warning - witnessed car accident

[downtoearth]

I’m so freaked out and sad. About 45 min ago I was stopped at a light in a town I am doing work in (outside of my town) and witnessed a, likely, fatal car accident. I stayed with the man while waiting for EMT/police. I am pretty sure I was the one holding his hand as he slipped away. I want to be wrong about that. I want the victim in the other truck to be okay.

I am alone tonight, but talked with DH and I am just so sad. It was 100% the guy’s fault, but I couldn’t do anything but hold his hand since he was stuck in his vehicle.

[shortcake2675]

Hugs to you. I'm glad you were there to hold his hand, but I wish you peace as you deal with it.

[winecat]

Big hugs...

[lissaholly]

I’m so sorry. I hope it wasn’t fatal. I know someone who was in your shoes, and they randomly met the mother of the girl ( who did pass). Knowing the girl wasn’t alone at that moment brought a lot of peace to the mother. You did a good thing tonight.

[penguingrrl]

(((Hugs))) You were so kind to be there for him.

[cattledogkisses]

I'm sorry. Be kind to yourself. That's a tough thing to witness.

When H and I were in college a car pulled into the parking lot we were in, and a man pulled his wife out yelling that she was unresponsive. H checked her for a pulse, found none, and performed CPR until the ambulance got there. I tried to comfort her poor husband. We later learned that she was pronounced dead at the hospital. The husband was on my mind for a long time after that, and H and I were both a little shellshocked by the whole thing. That was 12 years ago this month actually, and it's still making me a little sad to think back on it.

[mrsukyankee]

I'm so sorry. Do take care of yourself as the aftermath can be tough.

[aspentosh]

It was a good thing you did, but definitely make sure to take care of yourself after this. I'm sorry you had to deal with it

[raangoli]

I am so sorry that you witnessed this, but that was so kind of you to stay with him and hold his hand.

[lessel]

I'm so sorry you had this experience. You did a very kind and amazing thing.

I had a similar experience several years ago. I don't think about it very often, but when I do the memories are quite vivid. It definitely leaves a mark.

Big hugs.

[miniroller]

Oh dear, DTE, 😢 Agree with pp’s to please be kind to yourself. I believe you were meant to be there to bring comfort to the victim by holding his hand (which was so kind & thoughtful & caring). I’m also sending vibes of comfort & peace as you recover. Many hugs ❤️

[aurora]

I'm so sorry. I hope he made it through - emergency rooms can do so much these days! - but even if not I'm sure you were a comfort to him and his loved ones.

When you experience something so traumatic your brain can do weird things at weird times while trying to process the memory. Make sure to take care of yourself and talk to people when you need to. If you don't have a friend you feel comfortable with, ask if your city or county has a victim's advocate office that can work with you. Just because he was a stranger doesn't mean you're wrong to feel whatever you may feel.

[Velar Fricative]

I'm so sorry for this man and his family and that you had to witness that. I am glad you were there to hold his hand.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Thank you for being there to help. Regardless of whether he made it or not, you were there to provide comfort to someone suffering. That's an amazing thing.

Please take care of yourself. PTSD is a real thing in those that witness crashes, so if you start feeling off, get yourself to a therapist ASAP.

[rjamz]

I’m so sorry you had to witness that, but I’m glad you were there to hold his hand so he knew he wasn’t alone

[sugarglider]

Sending you hugs and prayers. Take care of yourself. <3

[wambam]

I'm so sorry you had to go through that. You did a good thing by being with him in his final moments.

[AJL]

I am so sorry. You did a beautiful and kind thing.

[Gato]

I’m so sorry you witnessed this. I’m sure you were a comfort to this man. DH was hit by an SUV driven by a drunk driver while he was walking on the sidewalk. The driver left the scene, and H is forever grateful to the two people who stayed with him until the ambulance arrived. It’s a very lonely place to be unable to move or help yourself, and a huge comfort to know somebody - even a stranger - is there and cares.

[Deleted]

I am sorry you experienced that, as well as for the man and his family. What you did was so very generous and kind.

[pixy0stix]

I am so sorry.

And yes, if you start feeling stuck or that you can't process this, please go talk to a therapist.

[2curlydogs]

I am so sorry. That is a difficult thing to experience.

Please take care of yourself.

[leshoequeen]

Big hugs. You're good people.

[thejackpot]

I am so sorry. Hugs to you. Please seek help is you are struggling with your feelings.

[MrsAxilla]

I hope you’re doing okay this morning. You did a mitzvah for that man, as well as for his family. Thank you, and please take care of yourself.

[lilibet]

I'm so sorry. You did an incredibly kind thing.

Please don't hesitate to talk to someone about this. Like pp mentioned the city may have some sort of program or your employer may have an employee assistance plan you could use.

[ginger]

What a precious gift you gave that man and his family.

Take care of yourself, and seek therapy if you need it.

[downtoearth]

Thanks for all your thoughts - I am having a hard time today. I have all this worry about what happened to the guys involved and no way to find out yet.

[mysterons]

I'm so sorry! Perhaps you could call the police department if you want to find out what happened. You did a really good thing by being there and providing comfort.

[annehog]

You did a wonderful thing. Five years ago my brother was hit by a car while skateboarding and did not survive. My parents ended up talking with the couple who stopped and stayed with him until the police arrived and thanked them for being with him when they couldn’t be. I often think of them and hope they are doing alright because it had to have been so traumatic for them. Thank you for being that comfort to another family.