May need to hug one of our drivers

[Rapscallion]

B went out on one of Welsh delivery runs today. He's been driving for years - very experienced guy in a heavy goods vehicle, and generally a very nice bloke.

I should point out for those who don't know, Wales has some very narrow roads in the country areas. B was driving along one such, and coming the other way he saw a digger. These things - I think it was along the lines of a JCB - are notoriously slow, but they're designed to dig rather than break any speed records. Both could pass, though it was a narrow fit, so they both edged over a little to make sure as they approached.

That was when a motobike appeared coming from behind the digger. He hadn't seen our (fairly large) truck until it was far too late. He tried to brake, as apparently evidenced by the skid marks on the tarmac, but in the split seconds he had the only choice he had was to try and fit between the digger and our truck.

He sort of made it, then collided with the under-runner bars that go along the side of our trucks, and then went under the digger. His condition was described by doctors as "touch and go" and he was undergoing brain scans this afternoon. B is devastated.

I feel for the guy. I really do.

Rapscallion

[crazylegs]

From the sounds of that it wasn't his fault at all. Shows that you really need to look where you're leaping, especially on a bike.

Your driver must be absolutely gutted.

[lordlundar]

These things - I think it was along the lines of a JCB - are notoriously slow, but they're designed to dig rather than break any speed records.

Their most common model actually can be engineered to hit 60MPH with minimal effort, but I'm assuming it's a stock model.

And well wishes to the driver. There's nothing he could have done in this situation.

[Andara Bledin]

Man. This is what I hate most about hotshot drivers/riders.

I don't care if they get themselves dead. That's their own fault.

It's the people they hurt and those they leave behind, both friends and family, and other drivers that really makes me mad.

^-.-^

[Evil Queen]

Enough about the motorcyclist; how's B doing? Is he okay?

[Rapscallion]

No idea - will find out later. I'm hoping personnel give him some compassionate leave.

Rapscallion

[iradney]

Give B a squish from me. And you can tell him it's from a random girl in South Africa.
As for the biker, he really should have been more careful

[Geek King]

Wow, that's some bad stuff there. I've known someone who was involved in a silmiler accident, where he had no way of avoiding the other driver. Just be there for him, and keep pounding the fact that it wasn't his fault into him if he seems to be thinking he could have done something. Try to get him into councilling if it is available. That kind of thing can leave a bad case of survivor's remorse.

Best wishes to B from some random geek in the states.

[Dreamstalker]

Give B a hug for me. I know what it's like to have bikers/other drivers try to thread the needle; once we were almost involved in a massive wreck because some idiot in the far left lane noticed his (right hand) exit only when he was passing it.

It seems to me that the bike was following way too close to the digger.

[Becks]

Lots of *hugs* to B.

[RetailWorkhorse]

Huggles from the "pretty little gay thing" in NC, too!

[Rapscallion]

The driver went out for a test with another experienced driver on Saturday to get his confidence back. He's devastated, but coming around slowly.

The biker is apparently on the mend, but it's slow going.

Rapscallion

[Andara Bledin]

Thanks for the update, Raps.

To your driver, hang in there.

^-.-^

[RetailWorkhorse]

Come on, driver-man, you can do it! Hang in there, mate!

[morgana]

Hugs and back-pats to B from the little redhead in Kansas.

And hugs and back-pats to you, Raps, for being the caring sort.