On Monday I had a phone call from a lady I didn't know, calling on Sarah's phone.
Sarah was trapped, upside down, in her crashed car. She was able to talk, and emergency services were on their way. I spoke briefly to a very frightened Sarah, and then I jumped in my car.
One very scary drive later (where I desperately tried not to think at all, rather to concentrate on not speeding or crashing my car, but did manage to call Paul and tell him), and I arrived at the 'scene'.
To a scene of blue flashing lights, its a dark part of the countryside, and all I could see were these blue lights.....knowing Sarah was somewhere in the middle. Even now the memory fills me with horror.
The next bit is a series of stills....
The policeman letting me in when I told him I was her mum
Standing watching the fire crew and paramedics doing there stuff, not being able to get anywhere near her.
Paul arriving,
Ringing PJ and Hannah......what do you say when you know so little?
Realising I needed to get people praying, that this was something I could do. So I rang one friend with the few details I had, and she rang others, who rang more.
Kind, efficient, caring professionals, who did their job and helped us wait.
She was trapped for almost an hour, at some point the paramedic said he couldn't find any injuries but couldn't check her over completely until she was out. Eventually they lifted her out, and eventually I could go to her, and see and speak with her. Cold, scared, shaken, but alive, conscious and moving.
Obs that started being done that were all normal (apart from a temp of 35.4). Eventually an ambulance that took her and me to A&E, to resus, and a team to check her over. Log rolls and neck braces, scans and xrays, more phone calls, holding ones, then ones of pure relief when we finally heard them clear her of any injury but lots of bruised and battered soft tissues. And discharge her.
Today her aches are easing, she's driven Paul's car, we're all recovering from the shock, which has layers, and highs and lows.
But relief and thankfulness are predominate.
God is amazing - He kept her safe through an horrific car crash (her car is a right off). He surrounded her with his angels, heavenly ones, and earthly people He sent to look after her - Jane - the neighbour who heard the car horn and was with her in minutes, who was calm and sensible. Ged - the off duty policeman who stopped, who got in the car with Sarah, who talked her through the whole experience, who kept her safe. For the policemen, the fire crew, the paramedics and doctors and nurses, who did their job. For friends and families who prayed, and worried, and rejoiced with us. To my God, who cares, and loves us, and saved us from a tragedy, the thought of which still haunts me, just a little.
As an aside I get thanked for what I do, as we thanked those who did their job that night. We all try and do our job well, and we all brush aside the thanks we're given. This reminded me of the difference it makes when that job is done with skill and attention to detail, and efficiency, but more, with care, compassion, and a little bit of humour.
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