Asplundh Employee assists at a Car accident site
On the afternoon of Friday 29th October 2010 at about 1.30pm Darren Watkinson was driving his Asplundh ute down the Great Western Highway near Hazelbrook NSW through a Traffic Control work site. Darren looked into his review mirror to see a car that was following him (a late 80's model four wheel drive wagon) being struck by an oncoming vehicle (just having passed Darren) and causing it to roll over.
Darren immediately stopped, then reversed his car backwards and closer to the accident scene. Darren jumped out of his ute and ran straight over to the rolled over vehicle to render any assistance that he could. The vehicle was occupied by a family of five. Mum (who was driving) and Dad and three children, two girls and a boy. Darren describes the scene as chaos with smashed cars and glass everywhere. (three vehicles were actually involved), especially the children in the back of the vehicle screaming and frightened as to what had just occurred. The engine of the overturned vehicle with the occupants inside was still running.
Darren was the first person on the scene even before workers from the work site could rush over to the site. Darren, with the help from the Dad from with inside the vehicle removed the vehicle's sun roof (luckily it had one) and proceeded to pull the occupants, children first, out through the sun roof. Darren then took the occupants away to the side of road to give further assistance as to their injuries and help comfort all concerned until the arrival of the medical and emergency services.
All of the people involved in the car accident have been cleared medically and are Ok.
Darren showed courage and valor in his efforts and actions. Darren thought and acted quickly with humility, dignity and caring towards all concerned. In doing so Darren may have averted more trauma, grief and upset that was already currently at hand.
We acknowledge Darren for his efforts, in this self-less act of helping others when they needed it the most. Thank you Darren.
Mark Mjadwesch, 17th November 2010