2 of 2

Write now Article Tools

I sometimes wonder when you see an accident, did a passerby anonymously make a call to the police or did they actually pull over and see if they could be of some help?

Why do people choose to go on about their business instead of lending a hand? One of the reasons is fear of being held accountable for something, second I would say they may either be squimish or afraid they may contract some kind of disease if there is blood.

Being in the nursing profession I have heard other nurses say, "I would never stop." Funny how they can just so easily say that. I however have stopped at several in my time. Never once has anyone not accepted my help or been anything but very thankful for me being there.

Accidents are a scary time in ones life. Whether it is a major accident, to a simple fender bender to someone falling.

Today is one of those days that I did indeed stop to help someone who had fallen. We have been having terrible weather here in the northeast. With all the snow and freezing rain, then the warming temperatures things can get very slippery.

I was at the post office and as I was backing out I happened to see a lady walking from the other parking lot going to the bank, I saw her fall, and when I did not see her get up I quickly drove to where she went down and called for an ambulance. She was conscious but, crying and her ankle was indeed broken.

I stayed there and calmly talked to her trying to keep her mind off of it and reassuring her that everything would be okay, and that I had already called for an ambulance. In the meantime, I had asked if there was anyone she would like me to call for her. She had her cell on her and in between sobs she called who I believe was her husband. As I pulled up her pant leg cause I did not want to have it touching her ankle so that there was no pressure whatsoever on it she was crying and saying how much pain she was in. I just made sure she was a comfortable as she could be sitting on the wet cold ground. I would not allow her to move.

So had this been you would you have stopped? Would you have stopped to assist her or would you have stopped just to be nosey? If you aren't going to stop to help out those in need do all the emergency personnel a favor and keep going. You stopping to stare and say oh my god how awful, just makes those involved more aware of how serious things are and you are just in the way.

It is funny I didn't think twice about helping this stranger, that happened to turn out to be someone that I knew only because she worked at my bank. One other person stopped, and actually stayed as well until the ambulance got there. One person from the post office came over to ask what had happened and if I needed an ambulance called. Once I said that it had been taken care of thanks for checking, she left. She was very pleasant but knew she did all she could and went about her business instead of making things worse by just staring at the poor lady.

Learn more about this author, Jadey Bayless.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Memoirs: Helping strangers in need during accidents?
We want to hear your view. Write now!