The crash in details
Submitted by kairoer on Thu, 09/10/2009 - 13:17.
15 days ago today, I where involved in a serious accident. You may read the initial post I made.
This post is a bit of self therapy, and details including images from the accident and my recovery. I warn you – the images are pretty tough, so be prepared.
Background
One of my strongest believes is that we (humans) are responsible for our own continued development – physical and mental. Part of being here, being a human, being alive, means you should strive to expand your horizon every single day. There are many tips on doing this – including on this very blog.
One of my own methods of self development is to follow my passions. Like my passion for big trucks – 18-wheelers, as they are referred to in the US. For many years, I have been driving these huge vehicles when I have had the time. A few weeks every year has been the rule. I have other passions too – like cooking, reading and traveling.
Thus, due to my passion for self development and trucks, I was out driving a Mercedes truck pulling a semi trailer filled with aluminum scrap august 24 2009. I were to drive proximately 8 hours, crossing three mountains on my way to the western coast of Norway. I relaxed, enjoyed the ride even though I made several mental notes of the extremely bad road of Norway. They are narrow, dark, very bumpy, old and shows the neglect of service over many years. Thoughts like: How can a rich country like Norway ignore the need of keeping the roads up to standard? are crossing my mind. I also play with the idea of becoming a politician and focus on road development and security.
The crash
I leave the storage around 9PM. At midnight, I start considering taking a break, to stop for the night. I pass the city of Geilo, and continue up the mountain to Haugastøl. I feel fine, relaxed, the truck moves as expected and I enjoy the ride.
I decide that I will continue up the mountain, and find a place to stop on the top. I remember smiling, knowing that I will be driving the truck the whole week. I have my sleeping bag, my green tea, some nuts and food.
I have full control of the vehicle. There is no sign of trouble, no warning what so ever. I rest my right arm on the armrest, and use my left hand to steer. I come to a right hand turn, with no markings. It looks like a normal turn, and only when I am in the middle of it do I realize that the turn is sharper than it looks. Realizing this, I make a minor correction, keeping the truck on the right side of the road, still resting my right arm on the armrest.
Then. Out of nowhere. With no warning what so ever. I realize the truck is no longer keeping the right hand wheels on the ground. The truck is driving on the left hand wheels only. I remember considering turning left to force it back down. But there is no room for that kind of maneuver, not is it time. Before I get to do anything, the whole vehicle is sliding along the tarmac on its left side. It fell over. A huge noise – first a bang, then a terrible scratching noise.
In a flash, I remember visiting the ice training facility one year earlier, and learning how the mass and weight of a semi trailer totally controls the small pulling truck in front of it – when control is lost. And I realize that there is nothing I can do. The trailer will play with the truck – and myself – as a giant plays with a small doll.
The flash is gone. I see a huge rock coming towards me. It is black, with green algae – the type you find on rocks in the high mountains only. The image of the rock sticks. I realize all hope is lost. I am going to die.
Next I see a very clear image of my son. His face is smiling, his hands held out, as if welcoming me, as if giving me a hug. It is like he understands, and accepts, and want me to accept. I realize how much I love him. How much I love life, and living. And I realize that there is something else controlling my life.
At this point I accept my faith. I remember being grateful of the life I had lived. I were filled with a gratitude combined with a total acceptance of what was to be. I knew I would die. And I gave myself away.
It was all over in a split second – or at least that is how it felt. And I was gone.
Resurrection
I came around some time later. A voice where calling: «Are you OK»? It took me some time to realize that I where stuck in the trailer, and that there where someone out there talking to me. I tried to breath, and it was hard. I then tried to move my body parts.
My left hand moved effortlessly, and was not stuck. My right hand was stuck at the elbow, but I could move my fingers and hand. My left leg was fine, and I could move it, while my right leg was stuck. I could move my feet and toes. This self check made it clear to me that I was all fine, and that I would survive and fully recover.
I discovered that I was stuck for real. I could not move my torso, nor my head. And I was in total darkness, something was covering my face, removing all lights and quite a lot of air.
My rescuer came back, and told me the paramedics and rescue team would arrive any minute. I felt relieved, and confident that everything would be fine. So I just relaxed.
The rescue itself will be covered in another post.
As you can see from the images, the truck was severely damaged. It is amazing that I was able to survive. And walk out of the accident without any life threatening damage (or so it seems now).
As I wrote this post, I am recovering at a rehab place called Cato Senteret.
I welcome your comments and thoughts on my experience, and please share your own experiences too. Remember to smile today - it makes someone else happy!
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update: fixed the image URIs.
God bedring
Det var en stygt ulykke og sterk historie.
Ønsker deg god bedring Kai og regner med at du er kjappt på beina. Du kan altid tvitre :)
You are a too great personality to die and a great friend
Hi Kai,
I just want to wish you all the best on your recovery.
I know you will reurn 10 times stronger and better now. I believe in you and everything that you do.
All the best from Canada,
John Thore
Wish you all the best! Take
Wish you all the best! Take care of yourself and I cross fingers for you to be better soon :)
Wishing you a fast recovery!!
Good that your guaridian angel didn't have his night off.
Sending you some positiv energy and keep on living life with passion Kai!!
I hope the that you will have a fast recovery and that I see you soon!!
/Peter
Wishing you the best :-)
You are now officially reborn.
Enjoy life at it fullest.
Hope to see you very soon my dear friend.
God bedring!
Dette var en sterk historie, Kai. Jeg er glad det går bra med deg og håper du er på beina igjen kjapt! :)
Thank Goodness for Guardian Angels!
Kai-
So glad to hear that you are okay and recovering! Keep up the good spirits and best wishes for a speedy recovery! I look forward to your updates!
Jennifer
A big "thanks a lot" to your guardian angels...
... they surely were in the right spot at the right time! Reading your text about the accident, we are even more glad to hear and see you are recovering. We hope that the rehab does help you get back to 100% - in physical and psychic condition! Our thoughts are with YOU!
Take good care of yourself!
Cheers,
Anke & Thomasius
Glad you are OK. Keep going
Glad you are OK. Keep going through the ups and downs ahead and, when they let you, just slog away at the physio. If you get the warm/cold bath treatment for the bruising (which takes hours), two long flower troughs (one each side) filled to appropriate temperature helps speed things up. Rotate at appropriate intervals and prop a book that requires concentration in the middle.
Will send email.
G
Kai!!! So glad you're okay!
Oh my goodness Kai!
I'm so glad to hear you're okay! Someone was definitley looking out for you. Thoughts are with you. Let us know if we can do anything for you over here in the States :)
-jj
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