The Day I Shut Down the Motorway -#angelsdoexist

Saturday 25th February 2017.

That’s a date I won’t forget in a hurry.

It was a hard enough day, attending the funeral of my cousin, then I had to drive back home, 3 hours to normality… or so I thought.

Basically, I’m lucky to be here writing this post.

As I sit here, still in Birmingham with my Pops, sore as anything, I can’t help but flash back to what happened yesterday.

I had an accident. A pretty big accident, on the Motorway, the M6,  not long after I left here.

In a nutshell, I lost control of my car, possibly a burst tyre, or a sudden gust of wind (remnants of Storm Doris), and went careering into the central reservation. I tried to turn the steering wheel to get back on the road, but it started to spin around.

Hitting the barrier on all sides, it spun round into the middle of the busy motorway. Somehow I didn’t hit any other vehicles, and no one went into me.

I sat there in shock. A

few cars went past, and some stopped to help. A young Eastern European man asked if I was ok, and went to call an ambulance. Another couple of Asian men came to my door and encouraged me to get out if I was able.

Two other cars stopped. A young British couple and an older British couple.

I was given hugs, and reassurance and the younger lady brought me a drink from their car.

Standing there at the side of the road, adrenalin coursing through my veins, I couldn’t quite believe what was happening.

The next thing I know, the police had arrived, to cordon off the road so they could clear debris, and an ambulance arrived.

In the space of 5 minutes, there were five squad cars, an ambulance, Paramedic car, the Doctors on Call car, a Fire Engine, and even an Air Ambulance on the scene! They tried to get the helicopter to not land, as it wasn’t needed, but the message arrived late, so it touched down, then went straight back up in the air again!

And I had, single-handedly, shut down both sides of the M6. Debris strewn across both sides of the M6…

My poor car… It took a hell of a beating, and I fear I will be saying goodbye to my precious Bebe. The bumper came off, it crumpled, the sides and boot were all hit severely, all the tyres burst, but it looks like Bebe took the brunt of the force, leaving me still standing.

I was checked over, and the paramedics were worried about my spine as I had tenderness around the spinal area of my neck. Next thing I know I was in a neck brace and strapped to a board so I couldn’t move. Precautionary, of course.

I had called Hubby Dearest who was at home with the kids, and contacted Pops, who hared over to me, as fast as he could, considering I had caused a huge traffic jam.

My basic luggage (and Lil Princess’s lunchbox, strangely enough!) was rescued, at my request, and I had my handbag, but the rest of my stuff is still sitting in Bebe, in a garage somewhere…

As I was being strapped down, the Policeman turned the radio up and said “Here, listen, you’ve made the news!”, as the details of my accident and the hold up were announced on the traffic alerts.

Pops arrived as I was being prepared to be driven to the hospital. He was so worried and nearly ran across the road, after parking the wrong place! The Paramedic joked “Is your dad in a blue car? He nearly got himself in a pickle there! Your BP seems fine, but his may now be sky high! Tell him we don’t do 2 for 1 on the ambulance!”

The Policeman said Pops needed to turn around and come back. He was hoping to get some stuff from the car. By the time he arrived back, the car had been towed, and the ambulance had also gone!

I was taken to Accident and Emergency, where the staff were so great. X-rayed quickly, by which time Pops arrived. The result came in, no bone injury, thankfully, and the doctor checked me out. I was ok, nothing broken, but I was to expect soreness, and tenderness, and shock.

I was then released and sent home, so Pops and I left.

I spoke to Hubby Dearest and the kids, who were all very worried. Lil Man was concerned about the stuff left in the car, especially the chewing gum! As I explained that we probably wouldn’t see the car again, he said, “Rest In Peace Bebe!” Hubby Dearest was distraught being so far away, and unable to be there for me, but someone had to be there with the kids, and I had my Pops, after all.

Speaking to a cousin of mine after, she recalled when something similar happened to her, but her mum was in the car with her. She prayed that the car get hit on her side, not her mum’s and as they spun across the road, and went up the embankment, she continued to pray. The car came to a stop as if it had been parked up ready to go again, and she realised that miracles do happen. No injuries… and a good thing too, as she was getting married the following week!

She said to me, ” I realised then that angels were with me, protecting us. Ritu, you had your angel by your side too.”

And she couldn’t have said a truer word.

Someone was looking down on me, protecting me from something that could have been so much worse… Maybe it was my cousin…

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And now… I am sat here waiting until 10 am when I can call the insurance and the garage up. Hopefully, I will be able to go home today. Hubby Dearest will get me.

But, you know what Peeps? I am so grateful to be here, able to write this post. And I will never take being alive, and able to do so much, for granted again.

Thank God  I was in that car alone. The children weren’t in the car with me.

Thank God no one else was involved.

Thank God for the wonderful, compassionate souls who stopped to make sure this idiotic Indian woman was ok and reassured her.

And thank God for The Paramedics, the Doctors, the Police, the Air Ambulance, the Fire Service. They were so amazing, working so fast and efficiently, to help me and make the road safe again for the rest of the drivers.

So here’s to a less eventful Sunday… ❤

 

217 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Persia's avatar Persia Karema
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 21:14:11

    Holy crap! Ritu! I’m so glad you’re OK. My heart was in my throat not knowing how the post was going to end. Thank God you’re alright. I hope your aches disappear soon. Take care. xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. thatssojacob's avatar thatssojacob
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 21:13:04

    Oy, I am glad you are OK. Just dropping by to wish you a happy Sunday, come over and visit when you get a chance!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. Anna's avatar itsmeanniebee
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 20:44:56

    Blimey! I’m glad you’re OK. That was a story that could have gone one of two ways, you definitely have someone on your side. I hope your next week is quiet and calm and you suffer no ill effects.
    I’m also sorry you lost Bebe 😦 (and your chewing gum)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. laura kilty's avatar laura kilty
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 20:35:45

    Glad to hear you are ok Ritu. And so wonderful you can get into the gratitude- not taking life for granted is a beautiful lesson to learn. Sending you loving, healing wishes! 💚

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. TanGental's avatar TanGental
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 20:14:33

    This is a prompt, right? A stream of not quite consciousness or something? I mean, otherwise this is far too close to real life and we can’t have that on the blogsphere where it’s all chocolate marshmallows and dappled dimpled donuts. I suppose I’d just suggest you make this a one-off and not a series and, word to the wise, this isn’t the time to kill off the heroine. You’ll only have to write her back in for this year’s Bash. Just do try and keep control of your characters, Ritu… cos they can take you to all sorts of uncomfortable places otherwise! Much love from South London… XX

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. Steve Tanham's avatar stevetanham
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 19:40:05

    Oh, good grief, Ritu, thank goodness you’re okay. Hugs x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. Hayley Beasley Dye's avatar thebeasley
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 19:30:50

    This is when one needs a ‘dislike’ button. You poor thing! That must’ve been terrifying! And your poor Dad- bless him! I hope you’re not too sore today & wish you a speedy recovery Ritu xx

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  8. Marissa Bergen's avatar Marissa Bergen
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 19:06:58

    Oh goodness….thank god all are okay!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. Molly Stevens - Shallow Reflections's avatar Shallow Reflections
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 19:03:54

    What a horrifyingly close call. God was certainly looking out for you and all the others who could have been involved. Glad you are okay and able to write about it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. Cookie Crumbs's avatar Cookie Crumbs
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 18:46:59

    Ritu so glad you are okay! How scary that must have been. Your angel truly was looking after you. 💕

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. Traci York's avatar Traci York
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 18:23:52

    Wow, wow, WOW!!!!!!!!! I am so happy to hear that everything turned out okay! You definitely had someone watching over you, given how bad things could have been! Our eldest lost her brakes a couple days ago – long story short, everything worked out in the best way possible, and I knew her guardian angel was working overtime! Hope you’re getting some good rest – sending oodles of positive vibes to you and your family! hugs

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. Susie Lindau's avatar susielindau
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 17:47:11

    Glad you lived to tell the tale! Wow!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. pensitivity101's avatar pensitivity101
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 16:48:34

    Wow, glad you are OK. What an awful experience! Maybe your cousin was looking down on you saying ‘Not yet Ritu, not yet’.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. lucij0271's avatar Jennifer
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 16:34:19

    So glad you are ok. That could have been far worse. Angels were definitely slowing the traffic so no other cars made this accident worse!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  15. ghostmmnc's avatar ghostmmnc
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 16:32:19

    Such a scary experience! Take it easy as you recover from the trauma. xo

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. Sue Vincent's avatar Sue Vincent
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 16:30:22

    Good grief, woman, you don’t do things by halves! Given the state of the car it really is good to see you up to writing! Take it easy… everything else can wait a bit x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  17. Suzanne's avatar globalhousesitterX2
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 16:30:09

    Forgot to mention. It may be a good week to buy a lotto or the UK equilent 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  18. Louisevirginiareed's avatar Army of Angels
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 16:29:37

    I’m glad you are ok! The Angels were with you every step of that day!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  19. Lynz Real Cooking's avatar Lynz Real Cooking
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 16:23:30

    You poor dear! I am so glad you are ok xxxx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  20. Jennie's avatar Jennie
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 16:03:28

    Yes, you had angels with you. Glad you are okay!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  21. Lisa A.'s avatar Lisa A.
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 15:50:30

    Oh no! I’m so sorry Ritu! I’m so glad you’re alright and here with us. You’re probably going to be sore for awhile. Go to physical therapy if you get the chance. You’re a lot more important than the car so don’t worry about it. You’ll get another one when you can. I’ll pray for you. 💖💖

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  22. SC Skillman's avatar scskillman
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 15:14:16

    Hi Ritu, I’m glad you survived, relatively unscathed, to tell this story. I’m about to review a book I’ve just finished reading, “An Angel on My Shoulder”. Your story deserves to be in that book – there are many accounts from different people who believe they’ve experienced the intervention of angels in their lives.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  23. Lisa Orchard's avatar Lisa Orchard
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 15:06:53

    I’m so glad, you’re okay!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  24. syl65's avatar syl65
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 14:56:16

    My dear Sister, I thank God you are safe and sound and for all those Good Samaritans that came to your aid. 🙏❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  25. Yinglan's avatar Yinglan
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 14:52:03

    I am glad you are okay. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  26. Erika's avatar Erika Kind
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 14:49:52

    Gosh, Sisi!!!!! Couldn’t you simply attain the funeral? You must still be in a complete shock after all that happened. When I had my first car crash (which did not impact a whole motorway) I was also only concerned about my car other than myself. Oh my, I am so glad you are OK and already with your parents. I agree, you were not unlucky you had all the luck with you. Your guardian angels worked overtime!! My God, sis, I am shaking reading this and relieved at the same time. I am so thankful that you can already post about it!!!! Feel the strongest embrace 💖💖💖💖

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  27. sportfitnessjourney's avatar Chris
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 14:33:44

    Good to hear you’re ok Ritu. Much safer to put your feet up and do some more blogging now 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  28. Deb's avatar Deb
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 14:05:21

    *Ritu ugh spellchecker

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  29. Deb's avatar Deb
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 14:04:36

    Oh Ritual I am so happy you are OK! I know angels exist and we all have them. They along with your cousin kept you safe. How scary that must have been and I bet you keep reliving it over and over in your mind. That will fade with time. Sorry about Bebe!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  30. April Munday's avatar April Munday
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 13:43:00

    Wow, that could have gone so much worse, for lots more people. I hope you’ll be on your way home soon.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  31. Dan Antion's avatar Dan Antion
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 13:21:54

    I am so glad to hear that you’re (mostly) ok. The car did its job. It’s designed to take the impact and protect you. Your angels did their job, too. It’s amazing that you didn’t hit anyone else. I hope you recover quickly and without much soreness. Good job by all the responders. I particularly like the cop joking with/about your dad.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  32. Victo Dolore's avatar Victo Dolore
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 13:09:12

    Yikes! How harrowing. So glad you are OK!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  33. Emmalene aka A Brummie Home and Abroad's avatar emfletche
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 12:55:59

    Someone was definitely looking down on you Ritu, and we’re all very glad you’re still here to tell the tale! I had a similar incident 10 years ago, blowout on the A1 in high winds, left facing the wrong way at the central reservation at rush hour. Not a scratch on me. Not my time, and not your time either xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  34. http://www.salpa58.wordpress.com's avatar http://www.salpa58.wordpress.com
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 12:49:30

    Glad you are OK, the angels were surely looking upon you and I also believe one of them was your cousin. Keep well, Miricles are real. ♥♥

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  35. “kaivalya.”'s avatar some bloke
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 12:46:40

    thankfully you or no one else was hurt! 💞 carry on 😊 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  36. The Indecisive Eejit's avatar The Indecisive Eejit
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 12:20:51

    Good grief Ritu, thank goodness for angels huh, I’m so glad you’re ok. Be easy on yourself for the next few days because the soreness will no doubt set in, but as you say things could have been so much worse. Glad we still have you in once piece. Huge hugs xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  37. masgautsen's avatar masgautsen
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 12:10:08

    That is one dramatic Sunday. I am glad it went as well as it did! Very scary experience.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  38. Judy E Martin's avatar Judy E Martin
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 12:06:23

    OMG Sis, what a terrifying thing to happen!! I am so happy that you are ok, and that your angels were protecting you! 💖💖💖💖

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  39. Clare Scott's avatar Monster Mermaid
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 12:02:47

    Thank God you’re OK!..

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  40. Marje @ Kyrosmagica's avatar Marje @ Kyrosmagica
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 12:02:41

    Goodness me that really is frightening so glad you’re ok. My hubby had a terrible crash a while ago, if anyone had been sitting in the passenger front seat of the car they might have been killed or seriously injured, a huge piece of solid metal had literally forged its way through the car and into that side. Luckily he was uninjured though badly shaken by the experience. Angels do sometimes watch over us. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  41. willowdot21's avatar willowdot21
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 11:52:38

    Oh! Sis thank God you are okay! Your angel or your cousin took great care of you. I was worried about you last night didn’t know why til now. My eldest son had a similar accident on a motorway a couple of years ago luckily like you he was okay. Take care Sis . Big hugs 💖💓💜💗😱😱

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  42. Gay Stepdad's avatar Gay Stepdad
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 11:31:41

    Oh Ritu , glad you are ok. Always new you could stop traffic!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  43. Christine Lucas's avatar Christine Lucas
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 11:16:49

    Glad to hear you are ok x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  44. Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, MCC, SCAC's avatar Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, MCC, SCAC
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 11:11:40

    Oh my darling – perhaps it was all the “drive carefully” wishes left on your other posts that alerted your cousin to watch from above. Some angel was certainly on duty – and I am so very glad you are alright.

    Do NOT overdo physically, and get more sleep than usual!! You may not be aware of it, but you have sustained a TBI (traumatic brain injury) – always true in every single car accident for reasons I can explain at length if you aren’t ready to simply believe me.

    You simply must take it easy for at least a week (longer is better – at least until you are no longer the SLIGHTEST bit sore anywhere), to give your brain time to heal. Otherwise you will most likely struggle cognitively for longer than you would have otherwise. Trust me on this, okay?
    xx,
    mgh
    (Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
    ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
    “It takes a village to educate a world!”

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Ritu's avatar Ritu
      Feb 26, 2017 @ 12:18:23

      Thank you Madelyn. I will go to my GP tomorrow too to get signed off for a few days. It was horrifying… but at least I’m In one piece xxx

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, MCC, SCAC's avatar Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, MCC, SCAC
        Feb 26, 2017 @ 20:50:28

        Unless he is a trauma specialist schooled in neuroscience, I doubt he’ll be as concerned about the impact to your brain as is appropriate, unfortunately. Baby yourself for a longer than you believe you must, even if he gives you the all clear.

        Don’t do anything with even the remote possibility of resulting in further damage for several months: the slightest hit to or sudden jarring of your head. Avoiding repeat trauma is more important than most of us realize.

        Our brains slosh around inside a fluid filled environment, and are easily injured banging against a boney skull even when no hit to the head was involved in the original accident (especially the executive functioning portion in the front). Subsequent damage makes it tough for them to heal and pathways change. Cognitive “rest” is important too; increased time sleeping is your best bet there.

        Your fans want you whole and really back. Meanwhile, I’ll start drafting an article with a better explanation.
        xx,
        mgh

        Liked by 1 person

      • Ritu's avatar Ritu
        Feb 26, 2017 @ 21:50:04

        Thank you. I’ll be really careful xxx

        Liked by 1 person

      • Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, MCC, SCAC's avatar Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, MCC, SCAC
        Feb 26, 2017 @ 21:56:50

        🙂 GREAT! Now I’ll be quiet about it.
        xx, mgh

        Liked by 1 person

      • Ritu's avatar Ritu
        Feb 26, 2017 @ 22:17:38

        Lol! Hubby has been great. Stepping up with the kids stuff. I’ll be resting xxx

        Liked by 1 person

      • Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, MCC, SCAC's avatar Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, MCC, SCAC
        Feb 26, 2017 @ 22:19:19

        Can we clone your husband?
        xx, mgh

        Like

  45. Claire Wong's avatar clairerwong
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 11:04:32

    Wow, Ritu, it really does sound like a miracle that you’re OK! What a story!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  46. The Emma Edit's avatar Everything EmmZeeBee Blog
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 11:02:45

    I’m glad you are okay! What a terrifying experience! Lucky is definitely the key word here. Bless you

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  47. Chris White's avatar Chris White
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 11:00:58

    Blimey Ritu.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  48. Ruth's avatar Ruth
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 10:56:42

    OMG Ritu, what a terrifying experience, thank God it wasn’t any worse – hope you get well soon ❤ xxx

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  49. Chris The Story Reading Ape's avatar The Story Reading Ape
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 10:48:28

    WOW – SO GLAD YOU’RE OK RITU!!!!!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  50. Steve McPherson's avatar Steve
    Feb 26, 2017 @ 10:44:33

    Oh my – glad you are ok! Sounds terrible. Bloody Doris!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

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