FordExcursions.com Forums
CTdave
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• Greenwich, CT, USA |
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• Registered on 8/13/2008 |
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• 6 posts |
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 Posted:5/28/2009 22:49 |
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On Tuesday morning I was traveling on Interstate 95 (three lanes each way) in my '05 Ford Excursion. Traffic was light & I was going my usual 72 (ish) mph in the middle lane.
I-95 had a slow bend to the right & as I quickly approached a tractor trailer, without thinking much about it, I glanced in my mirror and started to change over into the left lane. I checked the distance of the truck again and then looked back at my mirror for a second glance. Just as I started to look forward again I was about half way into the lane & I saw a flash. WHAM! (understatement of the century) There was a car, broken down and stopped in the fast lane.
I tore the car almost in half, shot across the three lanes, smashed into the steel guard rail, was shot back out onto the highway where I was hit hard by a tractor trailer. My Excursion didn't give up easily as it then took the concrete/steel center divider head on. In one last breath my Excursion broke the divider and came to a rest.
As smoke poured out of the hood & in the car, I heald my head while listening to tires skreeching & I thought I was going to be nailed AGAIN. Next thing I knew, a guy looked into my windown & said "my god, your alive"? I remember yelling "get out of here, your going to be hit". He was ok though, he was driving a truck & watched the accident & veered across the highway to block me from on coming vehicles.
My head was bleeding and my legs/toes were tingling. I thought I broke my neck. EMS and fire rescue extracated me, strapped to a back board and wheeled me to the ambulance. Interstate 95 was closed in both directions. On the way to the ambulance it hit me. I said "oh my god, there was another car. Was there anyone in it"? The EMT said "yes, they are cutting them out but we haven't been to that part of the scene, we came up 95 the wrong way to get to you & there are other units attending to them". My heart sunk. I felt sick to my stomach. I thought I might have killed someone.
It wasn't until about 4 hours later when a State Trooper came into the radiology dept at the hospital to ask my story of the accident. I had a great sigh of relief when he said the two girls in the other car were being treated for only minor injuries and would probably be released. The driver was given a summons blocking a lane on the highway. WHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, I have several staples on the top/back of my head (still not sure what I hit, top console or top of door/window frame?) & three cracked ribs. I have a nasty bruse showing exactly where my seat belt saved my life. No big deal, I'm still here. I'll never forget the look on my wife's and my 4 and 7 year old kids faces when they came into the ER.
Over and over at the scene and in the ambulance, the EMT's, State Police and Fire Rescue repeated over and over as they shook their heads, "I can't believe you lived through that". If I was in a different vehicle, game over. If I didn't have my belt on, game over. I wouldn't be typing right now. You all have heard the stories about some poor guy who kissed his wife & kids as he went to work on a beautiful day & was killed going down the road.
Please folks, you never know when it's going to happen. Wear your seat belts!
I am the luckiest man alive!
This photo doesn't give a great overall picture but believe me, WOW. The hood is into the dash, the front bucket seats are pushed up & crooked, the engine is into the firewall, ball joints, steering & most front end components are broken.
The insurance Co. said "total loss" & it's a good thing I have gap insurance. They shower book value at $18560 & I still owed $28,000 +- WHEW!
Yesterday I bought another '05 Ex with only 22,000 mi which is down at a dealer in FL. It's getting shipped next Monday!
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topls68
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• maywood, IL, USA |
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• Registered on 2/8/2009 |
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• 18 posts |
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Posted:5/29/2009 09:32 |
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Thank God for another day of life. |
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WesTausend
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• Bismarck, ND, USA |
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• Registered on 4/11/2009 |
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• 11 posts |
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 Posted:5/29/2009 22:24 |
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Thanks for the reminder, CTdave. Glad you are alright and vividly telling the story. Our foresight only does us good when we can pre-see the events unfolding.
Wes
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E. Long
 
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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LANDYOT
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• Subscriber since 11/23/2003 |
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• Newport News, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 7/15/2003 |
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• 1,110 posts |
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Posted:6/1/2009 19:15 |
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OMG! 
Very glad to hear you're OK.
Wow! |
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vudu
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• Los Angeles, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 5/19/2009 |
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• 7 posts |
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Posted:6/7/2009 01:58 |
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Three words... WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!!!! First of all i would like to say "Amen", because your angels and by the looks of your photo, Christ Himself HAD to be your co-pilot!!! No doubt. There aint no luck involved, you're BLESSED to be alive!!! But what a testament to OUR Excursions, she took a fatal beating, but protected her most valuable cargo, YOU. I'm an Excursion Virgin myself, i just took delivery of a 2000 limited Ex, on 6/1/09,in MINT condition, and i'm absolutey obsessed. I truly feel that cliche-ick "truck/man" connection. Anyway, just wanted to chime in on an incredible story,and because it was so riveting, i'm sure others will agree, your ordeal will make us even more alert and conscience drivers. Good luck with your new '05. Post some flicks when you get her. |
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David Rush
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• Greenville, SC, USA |
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• Registered on 4/11/2004 |
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• 233 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:6/16/2009 11:17 |
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Man--good the hear you're OK--don't think you would have survived in too many other vehicles! In respect, we should have a moment of silence for the fallen "X"!............  |
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DReaux
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• H-Town, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/14/2009 |
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• 18 posts |
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Posted:7/15/2009 10:27 |
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Dude that's an awesome story... damn near tragic for those involved, yet awesome.
My wife is now convinced the X I'm buying this week is THE safest vehicle for us and our 7 month old twin Boyz...
Cheers and glad you walked away from that one...
DReaux
Founder & President of
The H.L.M.F. Syndicate |
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