h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

On the subject of the driver - well, here's the rest of the tragedy.

She was distracted and driving badly for a reason. Her husband had killed himself four weeks before. Her eleven-year-old daughter was in the car with her.

It can't get any more grim, can it? It's like a bad screenplay.

Traveller in Time buckled up
"The girl is ok ? "

How horrific. And she is now in psychiatric hospital? So the poor kid has had all this trauma & now has to cope without mum or dad.

for unknown kid.

zdt

As far as I know, the girl was unhurt. I'd like to think she's with her grandparents or an aunt or someone, but I have no information on this. I wish I did.

Oh god, that's dreadful. Really awful. I don't know what to say. Stumped for words for a change. Life's a bitch sometimes, isn't it?

That's a fair summary...

I cannot imagine how anybody could come back from that. No wonder she's needing help.

After died I was really struggling to do day to day things and I can completely understand how she could simply not realise that lights were red. I did many things which were very very irresponsible in hindsight, but which at the time I had no idea I was doing. I sawed a very large (and dangerous) hole in my hand. I failed to turn on my car lights and backed out of a parking spot straight into the path of another car. I went out on two evening occasions in slippers and pyjama bottoms. I constantly couldn't figure out if the things that were in my head had made it out of my mouth.

Thank god I didn't kill anybody. But - trust me - I was perfectly capable of it. I really feel for this woman.

Yes, Ivan, I feel for Moira and I mourn the loss of Vinnie too. I guess I understand the driver more than most

After Dad died, Mum was quite easily confused and distracted for a while; she'd have been dangerous behind the wheel. Fortunately, she doesn't drive. I'd hate to think what might have happened if she did. The thing is, she ended up in that state after an event we knew was coming. We had nine months to get used to the idea. So I can only guess at the state the poor driver was in, and I can't bear to think about the state she'd be in now.

I had five months warning too... so you're right to be really concerned for the driver.

There are no more words inside me ...



Fb

I know what it's like to be "dangerous" behind the wheel of a car.

After I passed my test and got my car (this was whilst I was ill), I do remember just fazing in and out whilst driving and not concentrating. Fortunatly, I'm much, much better now, but I can see how it happens.

So tragic

I have lapses of concentration from time to time. It's one of the reasons I've never bothered to learn to drive. Can't face the thought of what could happen.

Do you still feel like you need to be *doing* something, to help everyone?

Not so much. It's easier to see that there's nothing that can be done. Things are as organised as they're going to get in the short term.

(Right now, I'm off in search of sleep...)

Nighty-night. Hope you have a better sleep this time.

I'm still here following along, it's just hard for me to comment after what you shared about the driver... having been involved in a wreck several years ago, where another passenger in the vehicle with me was killed, and the fault of someone who was impaired/distracted enough that he shouldn't have been driving... I'm finding it hard to sympathize with this woman much. But I don't want to rant about it and cause you more pain, so I am going to keep my mouth shut. I just wanted you to know that I hadn't blown this conversation off, and that you are still in my heart and my thoughts, even if I can't comment much without dragging up bad feelings for everyone here.

I don't want to do that, so- *zips lips*

I admire your restraint.

This morning, I'm feeling almost back to normal. Still sad of course, but the anguish is gone and the rest of life is reasserting itself, up to a point.

Like a good boy, D let me know that he made it home safely. Come to think of it, technically he didn't. There was a message about being stuck in Sydney traffic, and another one about being in the pub across the road from home. I'll settle for that; it's close enough.

I'm glad you're feeling closer to normal today. I've been really concerned about you these past couple of days- as I can understand how difficult a time this must be. It's good when regular life stuff begins to reassert itself, as you say.

I'm relived to hear that D has arrived home safely. Across the street from home is definitely close enough!

Have a peaceful and relaxing evening, dear.

Will do - in due course. It's 6:30am here now. On the bright side, it's Friday.

It's also Remembrance Day, which fits my mood if not the actual circumstances.

Is it a Public Holiday there? ie: do you get the day off? That would be useful if so, catch up with sleep & wind down.

zdt