Newtowncashel Car Crash

This was an article about a close friend in a car crash. I couldn't stand the way people were criticising her and saying she deserved what she got, so I wrote this article, which would have made them see things differently. Unfortunately, it was edited to the point of destruction when it was finally published in the Longford Leader on 12 August 2010, with my name still written above it. Ethics are important to me, and to have my name above something so accusatory was so unethical to me. Anyway, enough of my rambling, here's the article.

There have been mixed opinions about last week's Newtowncashel car crash, in which eight young people were injured. Many people say the occupants were extremely lucky. Others have opinions that aren't so sympathetic. But has anyone considered the thoughts of the young people who were in that crash – who relive it in their own minds every day?

There were no life-threatening injuries – mainly bruises, and a deep, scarring, shock, which left the victims thankful that they were alive. Only one - the driver of the vehicle - remained in hospital for a longer period of time, due to a broken neck, and other injuries. “Obviously the responsibility is on me, as the driver. You never think these things are going to happen to you.” It's true, we always say “that will never happen to me” but, as was proved last week, these things can happen to anyone, unless we take steps to avoid it. “You never know what you've got until it's gone,” says the 20 year old driver, “and now I have realised that the hard way. I have no car, can't stay in my own house, and can't work, but that's the price I have to pay for bad judgement. At least nobody else was seriously hurt, because I wouldn't be able to cope if it was anyone else in hospital.”

Too many people – and that doesn't specifically mean young people – have little, or no regard for speed, or the law. You may think you'll get away with it, but taking that for granted can have serious consequences. In this terrifying accident, the car lost control after skidding to the left, due to the weight it was carrying. Once around the corner, the vehicle crashed into a hedge, and hit a concrete post, before toppling over onto it's roof, and finally skidding to a halt. The occupants got out the passenger door, and, were helped across the ditch by one of the male passengers.

Help was called, and a number of the occupants were taken to the hospital in Roscommon, while the remaining occupants were taken to Mullingar. There is no doubt that the eight young people were lucky to survive this crash. The consequences could have been far more serious, and we are all thankful that they weren't. “Everyone makes mistakes,” says the driver, “I'm not trying to justify what happened, but I can't change it now. Things could have been a lot worse! We're just trying to get on with it, and focus on getting better.” And hopefully they will have an easy and speedy recovery.

Yes, this was a serious mistake on the driver's behalf, and, despite what people say, she is paying dearly for it: “People are saying that we should pay for what we did. Do they not think we have? I literally have nothing, only my legs to walk... just about!” This crash has caused shock to many people – especially the driver, the passengers, their families and friends. But we should all thank God that we are praying for eight speedy recoveries – both physical, and emotional – and not mourning eight deaths.

11 Aug 2010

by Jessica Thompson