Never in a million years did I think I would be writing this post so soon. Even when the time had come, I had planned on converting The Goose's engine to bio-diesel to help prolong her life a little longer and cheat death. But how often does life ever work out the way you plan?
It's Thanksgiving today, and a few friends and I had made plans to celebrate it at my folks place down in San Diego. However, while we were on the freeway, the rear driver-side tire blew out and before you knew it, we were spinning out of control and doing a couple of rolls onto the freeway shoulder.
The van had landed sideways and none of the doors could open up. There was also a lot of dirt and dust in the air because we had hit the embankment at one point. But before it could even settle, there were at least 6 to 8 guys just outside the van ready to help us. One in particular had to have been a football player of some sort. He was one of those kind of guys where his arms were bigger than his legs, and his neck was as thick as a tree trunk. He grabbed onto the sunroof that was above the middle seat, and in about three tries was able to rip it from its hinges so that it swung open like a door. Another guy that was there, parked his car about 10 yards behind us on the actual freeway lane to help shield us from any oncoming traffic until the emergency vehicles could arrive.
It's not an uncommon tale i suppose, strangers helping strangers. One might say that it's because today is Thanksgiving, or maybe that's just how San Diegans are. Whatever the reason, I am humbled by how much the human spirit really shined and helped me out today.
Here are some pics from the accident:
This is our pathway after we had spun into reverse. After hitting the embankment, we did a couple of rolls before landing where the van is at in the photo.
The rear of the van was blocked with debris and broken glass, so we escaped through the sunroof.
After looking closer, it became clear what caused the accident.
When I think back to how everything turned out the way it did, things could have been so much worse. My other friends Dan and Aileen were following in the car behind us because Dan was going to go surfing super early the next morning. It was only my roommate Pootee and I that were in the van. And we came out with barely any scratches on us. How that happened is a complete mystery to the EMT guys, the firefighters and the highway patrol officer that were there. Each mentioned on different occasions that they had seen people hurt severely worse on less damaging type of accidents. I guess I'd like to think that The Goose sacrificed herself to save both Pootee and me.
Goose, you were always there for me as a provider, a shelter and in the end, a saviour. Goodbye old friend.
It's Thanksgiving today, and a few friends and I had made plans to celebrate it at my folks place down in San Diego. However, while we were on the freeway, the rear driver-side tire blew out and before you knew it, we were spinning out of control and doing a couple of rolls onto the freeway shoulder.
The van had landed sideways and none of the doors could open up. There was also a lot of dirt and dust in the air because we had hit the embankment at one point. But before it could even settle, there were at least 6 to 8 guys just outside the van ready to help us. One in particular had to have been a football player of some sort. He was one of those kind of guys where his arms were bigger than his legs, and his neck was as thick as a tree trunk. He grabbed onto the sunroof that was above the middle seat, and in about three tries was able to rip it from its hinges so that it swung open like a door. Another guy that was there, parked his car about 10 yards behind us on the actual freeway lane to help shield us from any oncoming traffic until the emergency vehicles could arrive.
It's not an uncommon tale i suppose, strangers helping strangers. One might say that it's because today is Thanksgiving, or maybe that's just how San Diegans are. Whatever the reason, I am humbled by how much the human spirit really shined and helped me out today.
Here are some pics from the accident:
This is our pathway after we had spun into reverse. After hitting the embankment, we did a couple of rolls before landing where the van is at in the photo.
The rear of the van was blocked with debris and broken glass, so we escaped through the sunroof.
After looking closer, it became clear what caused the accident.
When I think back to how everything turned out the way it did, things could have been so much worse. My other friends Dan and Aileen were following in the car behind us because Dan was going to go surfing super early the next morning. It was only my roommate Pootee and I that were in the van. And we came out with barely any scratches on us. How that happened is a complete mystery to the EMT guys, the firefighters and the highway patrol officer that were there. Each mentioned on different occasions that they had seen people hurt severely worse on less damaging type of accidents. I guess I'd like to think that The Goose sacrificed herself to save both Pootee and me.
Goose, you were always there for me as a provider, a shelter and in the end, a saviour. Goodbye old friend.