CuriousGeorge

Thursday, February 09, 2006

What happens when trucks don't clean ice from their trailers


February 8th I had just gassed up where I always do (just outside the airport in Toronto) when I started my usual journey home. I was just getting off the on ramp approaching a transport trailer. Just a few feet from the overpass the road went completely dark and I heard a rumbling noise. Seconds after that I heard a huge thud on my roof, second later just as it comes crashing into my windshield A huge chunk of ice shatters my windshield. Yelling Oh Shit I slam on my brakes, just as I do that a third piece hits me and caves in the roof later on also realizing splitting my windshield. The next thing I recall is looking straight ahead and seeing the truck heading directly to the wall of the underpass. I threw the truck into second gear and doing so was able to swing the rear side out coming to a rest next to the wall. It was odd cause all I can remember for that bit time was telling myself I had to stop as I didn't want anymore damage done to my truck. When I finally came to a stop I was on the other end of the overpass and the transport was in front of me driving ever so slowly (I have a feeling I was in shock at this point) I threw the truck in to first gear and started to roll on attempting to get info on the truck I made it maybe a few inches when I realized I was hurt. My hand was covered in blood, along with my jeans and I couldn't feel my pointer finger on my left hand. I immediately grabbed my cell phone and called 911 she kept thinking I said my head was hurt, she informed me that she was dispatching ambulance and police right away. She hung up at which point I called my mom to ensure she wouldn't worry about me (big mistake lol) As I waited for help I had cars pass by me honking at me cause I wasn't parked all the way to the shoulder. I contemplated getting out of the vehicle but was worried about getting hit. Shortly after getting off the phone with my brother who I was able to get a hold of and have him meet me there, I seriously thought he'd beat the ambulance, the tow truck or as I refer to them the Vultures arrived, few minutes later the paramedics showed up, they helped me out of the truck and into the ambulance. I was shaking like a leaf I couldn't stop. I remember asking the paramedic if that was a lot of blood and him replying that if I thought I had a lot of blood I should have seen their last call. I snickered. At the hospital I gave my statement to the OPP. I ended up getting 4 stitches in my right hand total 3 in my lower knuckle and on in the mid part of my finger. Everyone was amazed that that is the only injuries I sustained through the whole ordeal. How I managed to be covered in glass in my hair, my shoulders and not anything on my face or eyes I will never know. My truck is basically a lost after 5 years of dedication and lots of money I was given an offer by the insurance with my truck that I have decided to take. I'm going to attempt to sell it as is and if I can't do that I'll be stripping it and selling it parts for parts. I have already found my new Toy to be playing with. Available end of March I'll be getting a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser. I was at the Autoshow this weekend and had a chance to test it out. and man I can say I'm sold on it. I've included some pictures.