09:52:48 28-03-09 MFS: *CFSRES INC029 28/03/09 09:52,RESPOND Vehicle Accident,MAIN SOUTH RD,YANKALILLA MAP 0 O 0 TG144,SINGLE VEHICLE BLOCKING ROAD,YANK19 MYPN00 CFS/SES Yankalilla Response
09:56:43 28-03-09 Y81 Cat2 Main South Rd, Myponga
On Saturday morning I was travelling back to Adelaide from Yankalilla after dropping my wife & boy at a Scout/Girl Guide camp.
At 7.5 kms (measured on OziExplorer maps after I got home) from Yankalilla towards Myponga, I came across a small car verses guard rail accident.
The young lady driver in the accident, who was a P plates, was traveling towards the same camp. Unsure what happened, because I was second on the scene. The first on scene was another person heading towards the camp.
No injuries, but driver was in mild shock. So I suspected maybe soft tissue when shock wore off. I was unable to complete a casualty check because she refused. Passenger seemed fine. SO I did not use my first aid kit which is in our car.
I have a fold up reflector triangle sign in my car, so I set that up. I also switched on high beam & hazard lights. But I drive a dark blue Commodore wagon, so did not place in fend off position. The other two cars were on side of road, off main roadway. They had hazard lights on.
Interesting that all others on the scene were wanting to leave the damaged car on the roadside & transport the people / gear to the camp. The parents could deal with the damaged car later.
It was pointed out this was a dangerous corner. A quick car check showed damaged radiator, reservoir bottles, plastic front bumper bar completely removed & on other side of road. This was small bubble Toyota, so suspected front wheel drive damage.
000 was called to notify SAPOL so a tow truck could be arranged. RAA Towing was suggested by others, but it was pointed out that RAA is a breakdown service, not car accident.
During the telephone call to the SAPOL operator, the location was described as Yankalilla to Myponga Road, 3 to 5 kilometers from Yankalilla towards Myponga. My distance guess was out.
The request was for a SAPOL patrol to coordinate tow truck because car was in a dangerous location.
The pager messages are above.
I then positioned myself on a corner at the other side of the accident location (from the reflector triangle sign) to slow/flag traffic down. Luckily I was wearing a white T-shirt so this gave me visibility on a dry / sunny day.
In very prompt time,
* a farm utility passed with flashing lights from the Yankalilla direction. They positioned themselves on the other side of the accident location from me, to slow traffic. They had a dazzle jacket with them. I suspect they were CFS volunteers heading to collect the Myponga 34. But they stayed to help protect the accident scene.
* a crash / car repairs utility with yellow rotators on roof from the Yankalilla direction. I suspect that the driver inspected the car with SAPOL then left to get the tow truck.
* SAPOL patrol from Myponga direction.
* Myponga 34.
* Yankalilla Rescue with CFS striping & uniforms.
* SAAS from Yankalilla direction.
It was interesting that all emergency vehicles arrived with all lights running, but no sirens. This helped maintain a calm professional attitude at the scene.
At this time, I left the accident scene because it was very crowded with vehicles. Myponga CFS had a slow/stop sign person deployed and rescue were setting up the same.
After I had left the scene, I passed a two truck on its way from Myponga direction. I would guess it would be 10 minutes before it was at the accident scene.
Information later from my wife at the camp is that the driver was taken to hospital for a complete check & the passenger was delivered with the gear to the camp.
Thank you to everyone who responded, it helped me to know that professional assistance was quickly available.
Now to go & buy a few more replacement fold-up safety triangle signs. Someone ran over the one I had.
