As I was driving my daughter to school, we witnessed a horrific traffic accident. As I turned into Aurora Boulevard from P. Burgos street, we saw a speeding motorcyclist smash into a bicyclist as he tried to overtake a the bicycle. The fellow on the bike was able to roll and minimize his injuries to a large bruise to his right hip. However, the couple on the motorcycle didn’t fare as well. The man driving the motorbike was dazed and very beaten up, with large bruises and scrapes on his arms, legs, and face; the lady passenger was knocked out with a large gash on her right foot as it was crushed under the motorbike as it skidded on the hard asphalt, and a very large laceration to her left temple caused by her cheap helmet visor cutting into her head as she hit the road. A certain Dr. Roxas and I stopped our cars to care for the victims, as I saw the bicyclist limp to the side of the road. Soon other people started to give aid, from the local ‘tambays’ helping direct traffic, to another motorcyclist volunteering to call the police and an ambulance. I called out to the crowd asking for any cloth that could be used to arrest the bleeding of the woman; and a young nursing student, from a nearby university, opened up his bag a brought out his first aid kit. In a few minutes, we heard the sirens of an ambulance wail, and I focused on clearing the area, while Dr. Roxas stayed with the two victims. The ambulance took several minutes several to get to the scene, as gawking drivers slowed down to get a gander to the bloody sight. When the ambulance finally arrived, Dr. Roxas tried to brief them on the situation, and asked them which hospital they would bring the patients. The EMP replied, “We are private service, who will foot the bill?” #^($)%&*@#)$(&(*%)(%$(*!!!!!! It took Dr. Roxas more than ten minutes to convince the EMPs to take the victims to any nearest hospital and put the bill in his name. It is hard to formulate a single solid opinion on what has transpired, because of the many factors that arose in this situation. From finding who is to blame for this horrific accident, to lauding the many kind souls who helped these people, to condemning the government for letting go of its responsibility to the public by not providing a nationwide free EMP service, and to pity for the EMPs who follow their bosses’ directives rather than their conscience. When we saw the EMPs tending to the victims, my daughter and I decided that we were no longer needed, and I bade farewell to the victims and Dr. Roxas. As we drove off, we discussed the situation and my daughter concluded that there are still many good people who will take time to help those in need.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 23:58:00 +0000