When a Transporter Truck (and its cars) Crashed into my Apartment Block!!

It was Saturday morning and I had decided to have a chilled weekend. Hence, was just sitting in my apartment and relaxing with a good film. Suddenly there was an almighty bang and then the entire room shook for a moment. This was immediately followed by screaming, which went on and on without stopping. I quickly grabbed some shoes and ran to the restaurant on the ground floor of the apartment block, as I was expecting to find something heavy had fallen over and maybe that somebody was trapped/injured.

As I entered the restaurant through the staff access door inside the apartment building, I saw customers and staff shaking. They were literally trembling with shock and sheer fear! I have never seen people look that scared before. I asked everyone if they were OK, expecting to be pointed to someone hurt or trapped ... still thinking that something large had fallen over. Then, as I entered the restaurant, the scene unfolded before my eyes.

I saw the street-side front window had been pushed in. The nearby tables were strewn across the room and a car was still partially in the window (although it had clearly rolled back a bit). As my vision focused upon the window, I then noticed the smoke outside and panic still unfolding. Ambulances were pulling up (they really got there quick!!) and firemen were already getting ready. It was like a scene from an action movie out there.

I cautiously walked out the front door, not sure what horrors I might find. Once outside, I realized we were trapped in the restaurant area, as we were pinned in by two cars and a toppled truck. Standing there for a moment, my eyes panned across the scene, my mind flittering over the basic first aid I had learned years ago. The driver of the truck seemed injured, but paramedics were dealing with him. So, I ran to the back of the building to exit out the back and run up the side passageway.

My god, the site that met my eyes left me standing still for a moment. SIX cars had been involved in the smash and some looked seriously banged up! Flattened would actually be a better description of their condition. Now, fortunately I am not too bad around blood, but when you see some of the cars (pictures below), you will understand my caution. I started to peer into each car, to see if there was anyone needing help inside. This is where something quite shocking happened, all these cars were severely damaged and yet, as the scene unfolded, I couldn't find anyone injured. Only the truck driver with the paramedics seemed to have suffered injuries. On a busy Saturday afternoon, cars and a truck had flown across a major junction of a dual carriage way and hit a restaurant, with only one guy getting injured. It was unbelievable luck on a small miracle level.

Now that I was sure no one was seriously hurt, I started to take in the scene more and decided I should record this unique experience, as it is not exactly something that happens regularly. The pictures below are a full record of the crash. Some of the cars are completely flattened and the truck had stopped just 50cm before ploughing straight through the very popular and busy restaurant next door. It had slammed into a strong electric pylon slightly before it would have caused some serious casualties in the restaurant. The video on the right is of the police doing an amazing clean up job, the whole wreckage cleared in only 4 hours. The teamwork they managed with these two cranes was really impressive. The video clip is of the truck's removal, taken from as close as I dared stand - although you will see me edge back when the truck swings in my direction! I have not included sound, as it was very NOISY! But, even with out sound, you an see the weight and impact as the window explodes.

This indecent I have taken as another reminder that you never know what is coming next!! So make the most of the day you are in :-).

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