911 and Fishing
Monday, September 23 was going to be like any other day fishing at the lake just a
short distance from the house and who would know that I would be calling 911.
I've read articles in Bassmasters magazine where an emergency pops up, but
this just shows it can happen to you.
With the Pickwick Lake trip less than two weeks away, now is the time to test
everything to ensure no problems when I get on the lake.
Got a call that the boat was all tuned up, check list gone over and now ready for me to pick it up. Wanted to check
some rods and reels out so off to the lake that never fails me.
Being a blue bird day and not a cloud in the sky, the fish did not want anything in the kitchen sink because I
threw it all. Made almost two laps around the lake not a
single spot we missed where we caught some nice fish. The fish won today but not saying we did not catch any.
We did manage to land 5 or 6 before heading to the ramp to load the boat.
We got the boat out of the water and was in the process of locking it down when a
silver Honda went flying past and entered a curve on the nearby street. Anyone that knows this street knows to pay
attention to the speed limit and I guess this driver did not see the notorious bad curve coming up.
The little Honda did not make the curve and left the road. All I heard was this loud bang and saw the leaves up
top going everywhere as I started toward the sound through the woods around the lake. My fishing buddy was
also making his way on the street.
As soon as I made it to the street, I saw the Silver Honda between two trees down
in the woods with steam coming up from the front of the car. It was well off the road but I saw real quick
there was a person in the front seat slumped over. Then I saw a baby seat in the back seat upside down that put a
knot in my throat not knowing what I was about to see.
The windshield was smashed and yes,
I was trying to get 911 to answer. I explained that I need police/fire rescue/ambulance; all emergency responders.
I could not get any door open. I told the 911 operator that the female driver in the in the
car had a pulse and the lady was breathing. I am thankful there was no child in the car seat.
By this time, all the folks were showing up to see everything. An off duty Shelby County Fireman and a Shelby CO
Sheriff arrived and was in control now and I hung up from 911 operator. The hardest thing was listening to the
operator trying to decide if it was city or county. It seemed like it was taking forever to get any emergency
responders there.
My fishing buddy and I asked the officer if we were needed any more and he replied
he has it and thanked us. I started back to finish hooking up the boat as I thought about how long
it would have been before someone would have discovered the wrecked car in the woods if we had not
gone to see what happened.
If you were not looking for the car you would have not have seen it at
all, and no telling how long it would have been before the car was discovered.
This is a good example of being alert to what is going on around you. It just
might be me or even you needing help. Get involved! You could save a life, and it does not have to be on the
water.
Keep The Hooks Wet
Steve McGoldrick
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