So, I was driving home from Western Massachusetts to Boston this morning when I hit a patch of ice somewhere around the town of Gill. My car careered down the highway, completely out of my control. I put the brakes on, and no dice. I had many seconds to contemplate what was going to happen next to me and my dog. I imagined crashing into something. I imagined flipping over. We were going pretty fast. Then suddenly we hit a snow bank. We immediately stopped. Wow! I was never so happy to see snow in my life! Thankfully it was snow, and not a guardrail and a ravine, because I could totally picture us flying through the air and tumbling down a hill.
So, my dog and I were fine. It’s snowing and I try backing out of the snowbank. No dice. I get out and watch cars pass me by. I wasn’t sure yet if I should hail someone, or try to get back on the road myself. I am sure it was not clear to the drivers whether I’d stopped on my own or had slid off the road. About 5 minutes had passed when a woman in a bright red car parked across the highway and jumped out. She ran over, wearing no coat, and asked “Are you OK? I’m a nurse.” She was on her way to work and was a Very Good Samaritan. She and I tried to push me out but there no way we could do it. The car was lodged in the snow.
Then, one by one, all these guys saw us pushing on the car and they parked on the highway and came over. There was the man and his son who didn’t speak much English; a few young country guys; and an older, sort of ornery yet helpful guy. They all tried to push me out of the snowbank, but it was too much for them. Then, two guys who drove an auto service truck complete with a hook and chain for towing, stopped, and so did a local police officer.
The tow guys hooked my car and pulled it back onto the highway. As the nurse ran back to her car, I thanked her profusely. As I skidded out of the slush, I waved goodbye to all my wonderful helpers.
Here’s a snapshot of some of my Good Samaritans.
So glad this had a happy ending. Some of the good karma you have put out into the world came back to you today.
That’s sweet. I do feel lucky!
Rhea, I went through something very similar in the 70s in western Pennsylvania on Rt 80. My passengers were a friend and my cat. Hit black ice and it was slow motion. Actually had time to wake up friend and say “should I hit that semi or go off the road”? We went off the road, spun around and hit a shale bank covered in snow. Fortunately my little car didn’t get stuck and we drive up the enbankmen back on the highway. Quite shaken but no one hurt!
Lorrie, sounds scary! Funny how time does slow down a bit and you have time to make decisions.
Wow! Very scary. So glad to hear you are okay and that folks helped you out. When i was in college, I was a passenger in a car driving from Chicago to St. Louis in winter that hit a patch of ice, spun around three times, and landed in a snow bank on the side of the road. The car was totaled and my cloth suitcase was destroyed, but miraculously, none of us got hurt. We had to take the train to St. Louis.
I’ve been scared of ice ever since.
Oh, Myrna, that is scary!
Thanks, Judy!
Glad ur ok!
What a fiasco! These things really do bring out the best in people, though. So glad you’re okay.
PS Careering – great word!
Yes, everyone was so great! Must have been because I was nowhere near Boston. ; ) I love ‘careering’, too.
Glad you are safe and lived to tell the tale!
Me, too! I didn’t have any of that life flashing before my eyes, either.