021 WILL YOU LEAVE SOMEONE TO DIE ON THE ROAD?
021 PUBLIC APATHY DURING ROAD ACCIDENTS
One of Sanju's colleague in Nokia Bangalore invited Sanju to attend her wedding in Udupi Karnataka.
In his 30s, Sanju
was recently divorced. he went on a solo trip.
He drove his
car Hyundai Santro from Bangalore to Karwar. He stayed in Karwar Navy quarters in
his college friend’s place whose family was not there temporarily. They were
meeting after 10 years; They had great time talking about many incidents of
college while visiting the nearby beaches. In evenings they used to have black
dog whiskey and then boast about luck with career and badluck in romantic lives.
After 4 days
Sanju bid good bye to his friend and moved on toward Udupi in western Ghats. Scenic road were turning just like snakes famous in that land. Being afternoon,
there wasn’t much traffic in road which was 2 lanes without a divider. Sanju
was putting his driving skills to test and was in car race with himself. Loud western
songs were keeping Sanju’s mind away from thoughts of past. He was driving way faster
than the recommended speed.
Suddenly on a uphill
sharp turn, he had to apply sudden brakes. On the same side, a white Indica taxi
was slowed down instantly. On the other side, he saw a car was standing with its
bonnet completely crashed. 2 middle aged men were helping 3 women to come out
from backside door of the car. 2 mid
aged women were slightly injured but one about 10 old girl child was unconscious
and bleeding from forehead.
All of them
pleaded with folded hands to white Indica taxi driver to take them to hospital.
Even though taxi was empty, he drove away.
They turned to
Sanju.
He didn’t get
time to think, he got down and asked them put the girl child on back seat of
his car. Older lady also sat on the back
seat and had girl’s head on her lap. 2nd lady sat on the front seat
and Sanju drove further.
He didn’t know
the nearest hospital. He tried to read road signs boards - names of cities
further south and their distance was written in large white fonts in green
board. Without knowing where to go and he kept driving forward slowly. He saw a
motorcycle coming, he waived him and shouted “Hospital! Hospital!”.
Motorcycle man
saw the blood in the backseat of car and condition of girl. He didn’t ask a
question and said "follow me".
Motorcycle man
turned and after 5-6 kilo meters they reached a small hospital.
Without asking
any questions, medical staff admitted the girl and started first aid in emergency
room.
Both the ladies
waiting outside in gallery of hospital was still shocked and were crying. Sanju
asked them to call other male members and give address. Their mobile was left in
the crashed car. She remembered the mobile number of male member and Sanju called
him. She then asked Sanju’s mobile to make a call to inform about accident in their
hometown. They were from Bangalore and were on a road trip for pilgrimage. Male
members arrived after 15 minutes. They said that they had head on collision
with a truck. Sanju asked where was the truck. They said truck overturned after
the collision and went into the gorges. And the truck driver? He and his helper
miraculously survived and were being admitted with minor injuries to the same hospital.
Family thanked
Sanju and doctor said “You can go, Sir”.
Sanju arrived Udupi
late night and checked in the same hotel where some of his other colleagues
staying. He asked hotel staff to clean back seat of his car which was full of
vomit and blood.
For a few months, he had a feeling of fear and after thoughts. He was not sure if he was right or wrong.
What do you think is the right thing to do in such a situation?
For more such true stoies:
BORN IN 70'S: BEDTIME FLASH STORIES by Sanjeev Manral
https://amzn.eu/d/54nidlN
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