First, let me say thanks for all the kind words and prayers..You guys and gals are my family. Second, let me apologize for posting what I did in this forum, as I broke my own rule about sticking to aviation topics... I was deeply depressed last night, and I am still an emotional wreck today..I debated whether to reply to the PMs I got asking what happened, and in the end decided to post the situational details publicly, as it is only right that you know the whole story.. Yesterday afternoon, as I headed south toward FL, I got behind a motorcycle. It was a nice bike to say the least, with its owners care apparent in the way it sparkled in the sunlight. I was impressed that the rider was smooth in his actions, and obviously a very safe and experienced biker.. A van passed me and swerved abruptly for the off ramp of the exit we were passing at the time, hit the cycle in the rear, knocking the rider off. The bike and rider went under the van and were tumbled before coming out from the back of the van, whose driver had yet to use his brakes... I locked up my brakes and slid to a stop only fifteen feet from the crumpled rider, who lay in a heap on the road.. The van, meanwhile, had attempted to run, but was forced to the median by some cars who had witnessed the crash. I ran over to the man, as did two other men, and we tried to what we could for him. His entire body was crushed... He was bleeding out quickly because his legs were almost torn off of his body. I used my belt, and one of the other guy's belts to apply tourniquets to his legs to slow the bleeding, but it was no use. When I ran to him, he was still conscious, and he said to me in a cracked whisper, "I'm bad, ain't I?" I tried to console him by saying he would be alright, but his skin started to turn an ashen gray, and I knew he was going into shock. He was still trying to speak, and I knelt down and took his head in my hands to try to comfort him, and listen to his words. He rasped out,"Tell my wife I love her." Those, as far as I know, were his last words. The paramedics came and began working on him at this point, and he quit breathing, and went into cardiac arrest. They were still doing CPR on him as they put him into the medevac chopper.. I have not been able to find out if he died for sure, but I don't think there is any way he could have lived.. Every inch of his body was either skinned, cut, or broken. After it was all over, I got physically sick and vomited until only green bile was left. Even after the rescue guys cleaned me up some after the chopper left, I still had his blood all over me until I was able to take a shower later..... I will never forget his eyes as he looked at me.. It was as if he knew... I told the helicopter crew what he had said, and told the Trooper who was investigating the cause exactly what I saw.. I was heartened to see many other motorists who witnessed this tragedy lining up to give a statement to this Trooper. I keep playing out the wreck and especially its aftermath over and over in my head. I hope that I did all I could for this man, and I am so angry that this had to happen to him.. No fault of his own... I thank you all for your prayers and support, and I ask you to continue to pray for this man and his family...
