BigWooo
Senior Nomad
Posts: 579
Registered: 1-2-2007
Member Is Offline
|
|
Observations at an accident scene
We were driving North from La Paz a few days ago and were the first to come upon a 2-car, head-on collision on Hwy #1 about 35k outside of town.
Midday, sunny, and on a fairly straight stretch of rolling road but very, very narrow with no shoulders and drops-offs to drainage culverts on each
side. Five people involved, 4 with some degree of injuries.
The accident blocked the road in both directions and as traffic began to stack up, many of the other bystanders helped by comforting the trapped
family, helping us stabilize the victims that weren't trapped, and notifying emergency crews and maintaining contact with them. The scene was
different than what I've experienced in the U.S. - sort of calm and quiet and no one freaking out.
One of the families was trapped in their vehicle, including the most seriously injured victim. As other vehicles arrived, we did what we could to
stabilize the injured and make them comfortable as possible while we waited for the rescue crews.
A man from Tijuana stayed on the phone with the emergency dispatcher who put the Cruz Roja ambulance crew in contact with him. The Cruz Roja EMT's
called him directly and asked for a description of the scene so they could determine the proper amount of resources to send - very good co-ordination.
When they asked him about the severity of injuries, he relayed what Oladulce and I had found. I was impressed that they must have been formulating a
plan as they drove to the scene.
I recently retired as a fire paramedic/engineer, and was curious how the local EMS personnel would handle the scene. I was extremely impressed with
both the Cruz Roja and Rescate Bomberos. The Bomberos were as skilled in vehicle extrication as any crew I've worked with in the U.S. One of the
cars was crushed and and the driver was pinned between the door and steering wheel, their car had also been pushed up against the embankment blocking
the passenger's exit. Considering the damage, the Rescate crew had the car disassembled and the victims out in a short amount of time. They were
equipped with basic extraction equipment, and lacked some of the specialized tools, but did a great job.
The Cruz Roja EMT's were very professional and performed thorough assessments and appeared skilled in their treatment of victims on the scene.
It took 45-50 min. for Cruz Roja to arrive and about an hour for the Rescate. The whole event was about 2 hours which was a poignant reminder of how
long you might have to wait if you're in an accident way outside of a major town.
The Federal Caminos arrived last, just as the ambulances were leaving.
Two hours later and no sign of a tow truck. One of the wrecked cars was blocking both lanes so they directed a big rig to push it over to the side so
they could direct traffic around it and got the highway moving again.
I was impressed (and reassured) to see the skill level and expertise of the Cruz Roja and the Rescate Bomberos- ojalá none of us ever need them.
|
|
|
DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
Thank you very much for that report. Always hate to see accidents and there are so many. Good news is it sounds like there was no loss of life. I
wish the accident victims a full and speedy recovery. The victims were lucky that you two arrived with your experiences.
Really good to hear from people who have your background about how well the accident was handled.
Diana
|
|
|
longlegsinlapaz
Super Nomad
Posts: 1685
Registered: 11-18-2005
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
|
|
Wooo, an amiga is here & she said that US firefighters & EMT's from CA have & continue to come down periodically & give training
sessions to the local Cruz Rojo/Bomberos.
Those accident victims & the rescue crews were REALLY LUCKY that it was you two who were first responders for a multitude of
reasons!
To me, response time is the one of the scariest things about driving remote stretches of Baja.
Thank you for sharing a positive experience & being where your expertise was much needed!
Who ever implied that retirement in Baja might be dull?
|
|
|
vacaenbaja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 641
Registered: 4-4-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
Great to have observations from experienced eyes.
Glad to see that you two have retired to enjoying baja fulltime. My friend Reggie and I were stuck with you ,oladulce
Craig(The fisherman with the 17ft bayrunner aluminum boat,
your friends in the other 4x4 rig and others in that big rain/flood at the old PEMEX in San Quintin back around '92 or so. You since must have seen
your share of baja road disasters. Keep on posting and surfing. Say hello to oladulce.
|
|
|
BajaBruno
Super Nomad
Posts: 1035
Registered: 9-6-2006
Location: Back in CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy
|
|
It's good to hear a positive story from the first-hand perspective of a knowledgeable professional. We are exposed to far too much nonsense and
speculation from the uninformed and untrained. All the best to you two and the accident survivors.
Christopher Bruno, Elk Grove, CA.
|
|
|
Woooosh
Banned
Posts: 5240
Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
|
|
I agree that the USA-Mexico cross-training benefits us all. I also know there are organizations that actively seek donations of used firehouse
equipment to send down to Baja. Great travel safety story. Thanks.
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
