I was a witness today...

[WillParkinson]

No, not of the Jehovah Variety...

This morning as I was on my way home from the Rat Race there was a bike rider trying to switch lanes on the street. He turned to see if it was clear for him to do so and lost control of the bike and slammed into the curb. He then went face first to the pavement and knocked himself unconscious.

I pulled over and ran over to him, knelt down and started asking if he was OK (before I knew he was not conscious). He didn't move so I flagged down a passing car who dialed 911. By the time the ambulance got there the guy was talking. He didn't know what the day was (he thought it was Tuesday) and was bleeding from a gash on the side of the face. They took him into the ambulance to check him out while the cops questioned me as to what I saw.

Turns out the guy was intoxicated. He refused medical help. I don't know what happened after that as they let us go.

[WillParkinson]

1. I refuse to let this thread die!

At least until someone says, "Oh, Will, that's too bad. I hope you weren't too traumatized by it all..."

Because believe me, seeing this man smash face first into the ground was VERY scary.

[WilliamPitt]

2. Shut up. You suck. Bite me. Go away.

:)

[WillParkinson]

5. OK, fine.

Whatever. See if I ever darken YOUR doorstep again!

x(

[TXlib]

7. Been to Philly recently, have we?

:7

[ScreamingMeemie]

3. "Oh, Will, that's too bad. I hope you weren't too traumatized by it all...

Wow, that is crazy. He is lucky you were there.

Hug,Laura

[WillParkinson]

12. Thanks for the hug...

It's much appreciated.

When I first got over to the guy he wasn't moving and he had blood on his face. My first thought was, "Oh, geez, I hope he's not dead." On that same corner last year someone slammed into the bridge post and killed themselves.

Fortunately the guy was not dead. He tried to tell the cops and ambulance drivers that he was just laying there because he thought it was the best thing to do and that he actually wasn't knocked out. Of course no one believed him.

[GOPisEvil]

4. OK - that sounds like it hurt - a lot.

But I'm sure he won't feel the pain until after his buzz wears off.

[THUNDER HANDS]

6. wow that sucks

You're a good person. I probably would have just laughed and kept driving.

Well, probably not. But I definately would have laughed before I saw he had hurt himself.

[WillParkinson]

9. I waved a guy down...

His first question was, "Did you hit him?" I can't blame him because it certainly looked that way.

The next guy covered him in his jackets to keep him warm (which I thought was extraordinary!).

The final guy to stop was walking this BIG dog. He told the police the guy was weaving on the street. That's when the cop confirmed the guy was, indeed, intoxicated.

[Donkeyboy75]

8. I had a very similar incident

occur about six months ago. The guy wasn't intoxicated, but he was biking down a busy street in Chicago with his girlfriend. I saw him turn to look at something, clip a car, and go headlong into a side-view mirror. Blood everywhere, and he didn't remember what happened.

Of course, being a motorist, and the first to stop and help, I was accused briefly by people who didn't see the incident of hitting him, but luckily his girlfriend saw the whole thing. His teeth had gone through his lower lip, and his nose was obviously broken.


:puke:

[WillParkinson]

10. OW!

It's a good thing you stopped. Too many people passed by. I was astounded at how many 'didn't want to get involved'.

[Donkeyboy75]

13. It's probably because of my background

as a lifeguard. I didn't even think about stopping. It sucks to get accused right off the bat, but I guess that's human nature. Maybe that's why so many don't want to get involved.

[silverlib]

11. Good job -

I'm glad you stopped to help him. I hope this was a "sobering" experience for this guy.