Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Pretty hard morning

Phone rings at 645 this AM. Never a good start to the day.
Mark was on his way to work this morning when he came across a very bad accident. Truck wrapped around a pole engulfed in flames he was the first one there. He realized he recognized the truck as a co-worker and very good friend nicknamed Opie. He called another co-worker and they were able to get him out of the truck and call EMS (not necessarily in that order). He wasn't breathing and Mark got him breathing, but he was unresponsive. Mark held him until EMS arrived 20 minutes later (coulda been shorter, but you know how time is when you're in the middle of something like that). He followed the ambulance to the hospital and sadly, they weren't able to save him. They wouldn't let him leave the hospital until the wife got there, so he's just now on his way home from Grady Mem Hosp. Extremely distraught, covered in his friends blood, and lost.
It never ceases to amaze me how much we take for granted and how quickly it can all be lost. And to think, Mark gets frustrated when every time he's going somewhere I tell him "I love you and please be careful". He always says "I know what I'm doing, I've been driving for years". Well..I'm sure Opie did too.

So sorry to hear this. I remember him posting about Opie....
My condolences to the family and friends. I'm sure he will get well deserved big hugs when he gets home.

later, Tom.

Very sad news indeed.My respect to Mark for reacting the way he did.Too bad the outcome wasn't better.Mark will need some time to get through this.Hopefully he can find some comfort in knowing he did the best he could.My sincere condolenses. Charlie.

Very sorry to hear about this. Keep telling him Kimmy, we can all use the reminders even if we do know what we are doing.

I will keep a good thought for Mark today.

Turns out, he was apparently racing the shop steward, tried to get around him, and wrapped the F150 arourd a tree in the median. When I got there, I recognized the truck, seen it was in flames, and opie lying in the road face up 2 feet from the cab. We grabbed his arms and pulled him another 20 feet from the now inferno. I had no heartbeat, and no breathing, so I gave him a couple compressions on the chest and he coughed up ALOT of blood, but was now breathing with a strong heartbeat, but no response when I called to him. I took comfort in his vitals, as he is a strong boy, about 36 and stocky. The fire department finally arrived just as the rear widow exploded causing me to duck down, and they finally got it extinguished. I followed the ambulance to Grady, helped them wheel him into the trauma unit, where someone kept yelling "no heartbeat, no heartbeat"..This is where I lost it, and started telling the technicians to "do something...give him compressions on his chest, it will work...thats when they escorted me out of the trauma unit. The doctor came in to where they had me secluded, and told me there was nothing more they could do because of the extent of the head damage, and the fact his lungs were filling with fluid. Now Im devastated, and the rest is hurt...He was my best mechanic, and a very close friend that I will never forget....Godspeed William Scott Laird, our prayers are with you...

My condelences.

Coming from someone who was a medic in a very busy system for almost 10 years, you did all you could.

It's easy to say "I would have" or "If I was there". It's whole other ball of wax when you are faced with something of this magnitude.

I applaud your effort and mourn your loss.

I hope that the days ahead will (somehow) be brighter for you, your employees and "opie's" family.

Sorry to hear this, it's hard when a friend dies that way. Even harder when you find him and have to watch helplessly. I'm sure you did all you could.

Mark you did all that you could and more than most others would do your friend could not have asked for more.

Sorry to read of this, Mark. My condolences to all of his family and friends.

And wojo couldn't have said it better in regards to your actions in this unfortunate accident.

Mark,

I am sorry to hear of your loss. It is never easy to loose a good friend. There is nothing i can say to take the hurt or pain away, but you did a wounderfull thing in helping your friend. As Wojo said , you did more then most would do.. If i am ever in that situation, I pray that someone like your self is there to help..

I'm sorry , Mark . It just stings like a scorpion . I know the feeling . There are few absolutes in this life .

Don't know what to say but sorry.
That's a horrific story, you did your best.
Uncle Charlie

Mark,

I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss of your friend.
Your friend was very blessed that you came upon him, cared for him, protected him, and held him close as he was in his last moments on this earth.
As many people said to me when I was with my friend Craig when he died last year, you honored him with your presence and care in a very unique and important way. Opie's family and friends will be glad that you were there with him, doing everything you could.

Do let your friends and family comfort you as you grieve and struggle to come to peace with this loss.

Sad with you.

Sorry for your loss Mark and all

We never know what hand we'll be dealt minute by minute
Better live large today

Be good Be kind & Be careful

(and have some fun while we still can)

It's been an up and down day or so. There's times when Mark seems ok, then there's times when he gets so quiet and reserved. The company brought in a grief counselor and Mark sat and talked with the guy about what happened. That seemed to help, but the hardest part is that people (primarily the police) keep calling and asking for more information, so when he seems to get a little distance from it, he has to re-live and re-tell it all over again. They tried to get him to come home from work today, but he felt like he had a closer connection there than here. I felt the loss, but not like all of the co-workers he was there with, so he felt he had a stronger network there, and I understand that. We are supposed to go on a ride tomorrow, but he seems antsy about both of us going. First it's leaving the kids, then it's something happening. I know he needs the time, so I may let him ride this one out himself.
Trying times...and I can only imagine what Opie's wife is going through.

Very tragic.
Not much to say here except ...sending prayers...
Mary

Yep, feeling pretty good this morning after Kimmy slipped me another "Mickey"...Rode past the site, beautiful wreath placed around totally naked oak tree. Lots of hugs and thank yous from co-workers...Actually had the grief counselor crying...He says I have 3 weeks before I regain motivation to do anything..Says I should'nt ride tomorrow with Wade (atpeacewithbonnie) and Ed (oldroadie)..I knew he was'nt a rider then...Im doing better after a couple hard times at work in the hangar today. Just seeing all the equipment Opie used to hot rod around on hit me kinda hard. Usually, Opie is on the forklift cutting donuts or something crazy by 0630..we just let him go...and laugh alot at him. Looking forward to the "Little River Canyon" ride tomorrow with friends from here...Anyone else want to join us, we will be leaving Hiram around 0930, and should be in 'bama by 1100, returning whenever...gonna be a blast, and good therapy...

So sorry Mark, no matter what the outcome was, you are a Hero. have a blast tomorrow. Wish I could go..


mike

C'mon Kimmy , ya need to go too , I got Lola all packed up , she's never been to Alabama , Mark needs to get away and get wind therapy .