This time of year brings unpredictable weather all across the United States. Living in Florida, we get more rain than anything. But in Pennsylvania, it’s the snow that is wreaking havoc for drivers.
Matthew, a truck driver, was driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike when his life could have easily been over. As two cars in front of him began to spin out of control, Matthew slammed on his brakes to keep from hitting the other cars. He lost control of his 18-wheeler and finally came to a stop after taking out 30 feet of guardrail along side the highway. As Matthew tried to escape the vehicle, he realized his truck was hanging over a steep cliff and there were tree branches trapping him inside. The smell of diesel put him in a panic as he would not be able to get out of a fire if one broke out.
Fortunately for Matthew, his story took a turn for the best. Another driver saw the accident, stopped, and removed the branches from in front of the door. He was able to grab Matthew by one arm and pull him from the truck to safety. He was not alone however. Eight men had stopped and formed a chain down the cliff to pull Matthew out of the vehicle. Another truck driver, Arlyn Satanek, stopped and snapped a photo of the phenomenal event and sent it to WTAE News. Matthew never got to thank the men because just as quickly as the wreck took place, they were back in their vehicles and on their way.
Stories like these are a great reflection of what can happen when strangers come together for a common goal. Unfortunately, these stories don’t always have a happy ending. Matthew could have lost his life. Though we don’t have the snow to worry about in Florida, we do have many accidents take place due to rain. It is important to be as safe as possible when you are driving in bad weather conditions but often times, crashes are unavoidable.
If you find yourself in a truck crash, give us a call. It is important for you to worry about your health and focus on your treatment. You do not have to go through the stressful process alone. For tips on what to do if you are involved in an accident request the following books on our website, “7 Fatal Mistakes Victims of Accidents Make in Florida,” and “9 Costly Mistakes to Avoid After a Truck Accident,” or give us a call at 1-888-We-Mean-It.
