MY Worst Accident Ever

[stierney]

Setting:
M1 Northbound a couple of months ago

Dunno if anyone saw this accident,, but you probably wouldnt have recognised my 206cc if you passed, as it ended up 60% shorter than when i bought it, and minus a roof.

Im heading Northbound on the M1 going home to see the Wife/Kids after a hard days work.

Approaching the Watford Turn-off so inside lane behined a lorry 55-60mph.

Lorry in frount slams his anchors on, smoke all over the place from his tyres.

I think 'SHIT' and firmly apply my brakes, knowing that theres no way he can stop faster than me unless he hits something big,,,

Check rear view mirror and see the engine compartment of a HUGE lorry
I have just enough time to think
'OHHHHHHH SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT', when Crunch!

I am now getting pushed by a 15 tonne lorry traveling at approx 50 mph directly into the back of a lorry that has his brakes slammed on.

Seemed like ages before i slammed into the back of the lorry in front of me with a huge lorry up my arse, but this is when it gets really bad....

Now this may seem strange, but I didnt really have time to panic,, it was over almost as fast as it had begun, but i remember closing my eyes just as my front end impacted on the lorry in front.

The noise was amazingly loud, every goddam airbag goes off,, almost deafening, then a shower of glass,, as i guess every window in my car exploded as the chassis twisted, then rushing wind, followed by griding metal and a feeling of being crushed.

I really didnt want to or couldnt open my eyes at this precise moment in time, all I could feel was stuff hitting me and i thought i was in the process of being made in to a lorry sandwich.

Now im guessing 15 or so seconds later ( wasnt really in a position to look at my watch or even comprehend if i was still alive ) we came to a halt.

I must have stayed in the same position for about 5 mins before even moving or attempting to open my eyes,, until i heard people talking and the sounds of horns.

Now I will never understand how the hell I made it out of this accident without serious injury, but when I finally managed to get the airbag and dust out of my eyes I couldnt believe how little of my car was left.

I had to wait for the fire service to cut me out of my car, which is kindoff scary, because once you get over the shock you start thinking of petrol and stuff.

I came out with severely bruised ribs from the steering wheel, facial briusing from the airbag, and a few fairly deep cuts from flying debris, but thats it.

Once out of the car, I REALLY REALLY couldnt believe that it was a 206CC an hour ago. The fireman said that at first glance he was sure that everyone in my car would have been killed instantly judging by the state of the wreck.

The engine had pretty much come into the passenger and driver compartment, and the rear end and back seats were gone. The roof I really dont know where te hell that ended up,, but it wasnt attatched.

I really wanted to get a photo of the scene before getting taken to hospital by the police, but my mobile was in the glove compartment, and that had dissapeared too.


Thought id share this story with you,, im fully recovered and in the process of looking for a new car.

One thing I have learnt from this,, is that I am going to pay a hell of a lot more attention to what is behined me,, I still crap myself when theres a lorry in my rear view mirror.

[traceys]

OMG! That is so scary and a lesson to us all. I always remember my Dad telling me to be more worried about what's behind me than in front of me on the motorway but it's so easy to lose concentration for even a second. Thank God you weren't seriously hurt. You going to get another 206cc? Looks like the little darling saved your life!

[stierney]

Well i got 42k miles out of that one until it met its maker,, I must admit I dont think they are up to high milage travel when it comes to using it for work every day... they get a bit rickety and my drivers seat leather started wearing due to the constant getting in/out, but its the best cruise about in summer car I have ever owned

The 206cc was great,, but its got me itching for something just a little faster,, maybe a 350Z if I can afford the insurance ( they have a convertible one either out now or comming soon! )

Going to wait until after xmass until i make a final decision though,,

IF only pug woudl release a 180bhp version of the 206cc as a special or sommink,, now that would be very tempting

[Lyndon]

BLIMEY m8

bloody glad ya ok and not too seriously hurt

small comfort i know but at least we know that the 206cc is fairly safe in a big shunt between 2 huge lorries

FYI the 350Z cabrio is now available to order for delivery early next year i believe

[Alig]

Jesus...that is my absolute worst nightmare, infact I am paranoid about being in an accident involving a lorry...but TWO...thank god you came out of that relatively unscathed and the cc did you proud considering.

Mmm..the 350z convertible looks good. But the lower the car, the bigger the lorries look...scary stuff. Maybe I should get a 4x4 now I do school runs!

[rob]

write to the police and fire brigade. They will have photos of the incident as it was an 'injury' accident.

[Ed_shek]

That really is scary! Glad your ok and made it out in one piece!

Like lyndon says at least we know the 206cc is a fairly safe car!

[MattB]

Good to see the CC did its job well and protected you. Well done for getting out alive!

I've seen a few 350ZRs over in the USA and with the top down they look stunning. As with most soft tops, it looks a little odd with the top up though... Has anyone seen UK prices yet? The standard 350Z is £10000 cheaper in the USA than here

[tonymag]

I think youve used a lot of your good luck points up on that crash , i used to be a Personnel protection officer and still always keep at least one escape route in my head at all times , but as i say you walked out so well done

[Jussi]

Just noticed this thread!
Best thing is that you are ok. I can imagine how bad the cc looks like after that, but that's just "metal" and you can buy new one, life is not for sale...

[Smiler]

Sounds very nasty that crash. Glad to hear that you emerged relatively unscathed.

I had an horrific crash on the M25 nearly a year ago now and I'm convinced that the car played a major part in saving me plus someone looking down on me !!!

I was also hit by a lorry from behind - he clipped the back of me and I was sent into a spin @ 70mph across 2 lanes on the M25 - god knows how I didn't take anyone else with me and noone else was hurt. I don't know who the people were who came to help me but I shall be forever endebted to them - they were so kind. I ended up in a ditch after having hit a lampost. I wasn't cut out thankfully - the emergency services were great as were my mates who came to get me.

I had a couple of broken ribs - cuts, bruises like I've never seen before - they were huge. I've been told I'll not have any permanent damage but could take another 12 months for me to fully recover.

I've been on the motorway (not the M25) since and hate it, but I'm hoping that my confidence will grow. I've been driving nearly 14 years and I'd never been scared of driving ever before this.

The other driver (Italian lorry driver) admitted full liability and I'm convinced that he made a simple mistake - trouble is on a motorway you can't afford to make simple mistakes when everyone is travelling at 70mph plus.

I hope I'll never have to test out how sturdy my CC is.

My friend who came to collect me took these photos - they were taken at the recovery yard. After I realised I wasn't dead I was mortified about what had happened to my beautiful car !!!!

Be safe everyone.


http://www.topgear.com/content/my_topgear/prangs/14/01/

[Louisg]

So glad that your ok and no serious injuries.

Shame your not getting a new pug and happy hunting for your next motor.

regards
Louis

[Smiler]

I assume your talking to Stierney there cos my crash was in a Puma and now I have a Pug.

Maybe me being doh !!!!!!