Have you ever had a close call, like a plane crash? / LJWorld.com

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Asked at Massachusetts Street on January 17, 2009

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“A car hit me from behind; I flew up in the air and rolled over onto the grass.”

— Anna Waskowski, unemployed, Chicago

“I fell off a cliff once … about 35 feet.”

— Benjamin Scheve, student, Dallas

“I was thrown out of a GMC Jimmy that rolled … and woke up on the road.”

— Glen Mies, screen printer, Kingman

“There was a ‘pop’ and the plane dropped. … We made an emergency landing … and part of the landing gear didn’t come out, so we landed sideways.”

— Kat Murphy-Andrus, unemployed, Kansas City, Kan.

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George_Braziller 5 years, 3 months ago

In 1989 I nearly drowned while swimming in the Pacific off the coast of Mexico. Got caught in a current that pulled me under. At the last moment my foot brushed against a submerged rock I could wrap my legs around so I could keep my head above water. Scared the crap out of me. I was sure that I was going to die.

ariadne 5 years, 3 months ago

only with automobiles.very lucky in the mid 90's on a two lane highwaythat a collison was averted.

pelliott 5 years, 3 months ago

I was once working on a high building and the ramp tilted and as I looked down, I was in mid air. There was nothing between the pavement and me, about four floors down. A man working beside me reached out , grabbed my arm, pulling me back . He said, "hey, don't do that". Thanks Larry.

rantor 5 years, 3 months ago

Christmas eve, I was traveling south on US 83 just outside of Oakley, KS. It was about 6:30 PM, and the sun had already set. I was driving without my lights and I decided to veer into the other lane and try to hit an oncoming car...( I couldn't resist)

Deja Coffin 5 years, 3 months ago

There was the time my husband tried to give me a dutch oven....but I don't want to think about it. Still gives me nightmares. Say no to ham and bean soup!

Clint Church 5 years, 3 months ago

I once drove between two KU students. Now that was scary.

RedwoodCoast 5 years, 3 months ago

Christmas eve, I was traveling south on US 83 just outside of Oakley, KS. It was about 6:30 PM, and the sun had already set. I was coming up over a rise, wondering if the headlights I was seeing down the road were far enough away that I could flip on my high-beams. Suddenly, something caught my eye in the oncoming lane. I saw a row of orange reflectors such as those that large industrial trucks have on top of their cabs. As I continued up this rise, a very large dumptruck-type truck emerged from below this rise. It had absolutely zero lights on, even though it was completely dark outside. As I came over this rise, the truck began veering into my lane. I had a few choice words to describe my thoughts on what was happening. The truck kept veering into my lane and it became very obvious that I needed to take evasive action. I was traveling about 60 mph when I veered onto the shoulder, my tires squealing as my car slid around on the road. For a second, I was sure my car was going to roll.I finally got my car stopped safely on the shoulder of the highway. I looked in my rearview mirror and saw absolutely nothing. I don' think that truck had any functioning lights on it whatsoever, not even brake lights. I took a second to collect myself and called 911. The dispatcher relayed the info to the two law enforcement officers in Logan County. I knew this guy was not going to get caught, unless he either went off the road himself, or he smashed into another vehicle. I drove about a mile back up the highway in the direction I had come from, but I neither saw any skid marks from the truck nor any signs that the truck had left the roadway.This incident was so bizarre that I began wondering if it really happened. I was still pretty shaken up, but I was the only person to have witnessed this idiot driver driving a very large truck down the highway at night with absolutely no lights on. Thinking back on it, I should have whipped my car around and caught up with the douchebag and reported him.So if you know anyone in Logan County, KS, who was driving a dumptruck north on US 83 south of Oakley, KS, with no functioning lights at about 6:30 PM on December 24, punch them in the nose for me. Make sure it hurts, too.

Chris Ogle 5 years, 3 months ago

Nope, but I fell off the turnip truck more than once.

autie 5 years, 3 months ago

I did ride in a car with charliejohnson when I was a kid.

rantor 5 years, 3 months ago

notnowdear,Thank you for your replies. They certainly cleared up any ambiguity that might have been there for other readers; you're definitely an idiot

Fangorn 5 years, 3 months ago

I going to defend Notnowdear. Immediately after a heavy snow, it's not common for both lanes to be clear. Heck, it's not even common for one lane to be clear. But if one lane is snow-and-ice-packed and the other shows some road surface - whether from the work of a plow or simply from the passage of more cars than the other lane - then that's the lane you use. Not necessarily slowly, but certainly steadily without large or sudden changes in speed and direction. I don't know why Iowa red was in such a hurry, but I bet he wishes he'd been more patient. Trying to stop to go back and help in such circumstances can create more danger for other drivers. I was...admonished (politely but firmly) but a state patrolman for doing just that. Better to call 911, he said. Someone coming from behind the accident has a better chance of being able to stop without creating an additional hazard. Even if you would have made a different decision, that's no cause for calling someone an idiot.

budwhysir 5 years, 3 months ago

My alarm clock didnt go off one morning. Does that count? Oh and that was the year they raised my taxes and I couldnt have paid them if I lost my job. Then there was the time I caught a 35 pound flat head catfish and only had 15 pound test line on my reel. Man was that one close. The fellas would have never believed how big that one was without proof

DouglasCountySucks 5 years, 3 months ago

Several years back i was flying with one of my good friends out north of lawrence in a Cub and as we turned west toward topeka a huge gust of wind hit us and shoved us down from 1100 ft to about 350 ft. that scared the poop out of me.He later died in a plane crash, Very sad day. he was an awesome pilot and my best bud.RIP brother.

oldvet 5 years, 3 months ago

auto-rotated down from about 150' in a UH-1... that was one heck of a pilot... we hit hard but all walked away...

Eybea Opiner 5 years, 3 months ago

I was on a plane that was taking off from Albuquerque when one engine shut down due to a "fire" signal (which later proved to be false). We circled and landed with fire trucks rushing along side the plane. Kind of scary, but no real danger and certainly nothing like a crash.A guy who worked for the same company I did survived two plane crashes. One, an airliner in Chicago (the one in which E. Howard Hunt's wife died), and the other a small commuter aircraft in Colorado.

mom_of_three 5 years, 3 months ago

My hubby and one of my kiddos had a close call last year. They were stopped at a red left lane turning left on Iowa turning onto 31st. The light turned green, and the hubby hesitated, as usual - which sometimes drives me nuts. But as they started into the intersection, a car going east runs the clearly red light, and he has to stomp on the breaks and turn sharply out of the way to avoid being hit. Scared them both to death, as well as the other car who had to avoid the red light running idiot. So scared, my kid was in tears. I will never make fun of his hesitation ways again.

gccs14r 5 years, 3 months ago

I was on my way home late one night and just as I approached the RR tracks noticed that one of the streetlights in the distance suddenly moved upward. Turns out the crossing signals were out and it was a freight train under way. There wasn't time to do anything, because I was right on top of the tracks. I looked out my driver's window and had to look up pretty far to see the headlight. By the time I crossed the tracks and looked in the rearview, the third engine was crossing the road. Close. The only thing that saved me was that I was running about 65 instead of 35. Freights out that way were generally already running about 60 on their way out of town, so they would have had to pick me up with a sponge.

1029 5 years, 3 months ago

notnowdear, You should never be driving in the left lane on the interstate unless you are passing another car. I agree that it does sound like you caused this accident."He must have thought this Kansas driver is a novice at winter weather, when, in reality, I am not..." Um, actually, driving in the left lane is the mark of a novice driver, or at least one that is ignorant of how one is supposed to drive on the highway.Then, in defending yourself, you write:"AND since there were like twenty or more car traveling the same path, many many behind me..." Perhaps this is because some idiot was cruising along in the left lane and they wanted to pass you? They shouldn't have to move to the right lane to pass you. It is your responsibility to move to your right and let them go by. If the snow-packed right lane was too scary for you, maybe you should have gotten off the road.

denak 5 years, 3 months ago

When I was stationed in Okinawa in 1988, there was a Tsunami. I don't know how much of a "close call" that was but man that was intense.

coolmom 5 years, 3 months ago

there has been a number seems like they are designed to make you think about your life a bit huh?

RETICENT_IRREVERENT 5 years, 3 months ago

(clears throat)

notnowdear 5 years, 3 months ago

Rantor, I do believe that the people who can read my posts with accuracy and understanding do not believe me to be an idiot. Only those who cannot understand my posts, who have not a level of understanding required to comprehend them, think I am an idiot. Which one are you?Insults usually demonstrate a deficient intelligence in the writer.And again, alcoholics tend to insult the most.

notnowdear 5 years, 3 months ago

"You definitely shouldn't be driving and probably shouldn't be outside w/o supervision. You are by the purist form of the definition, an idiot."And how sweet you are! We all just love you.

notnowdear 5 years, 3 months ago

rantor, on that particular day, the left lane was less snow-packed. What would you have done?AND since there were like twenty or more car traveling the same path, many many behind me, and since it was not wise to jeopardize my life or any other life on the road by making sudden changes in speed or direction, I was left with no other decision.Obviously you drive in the city most, are not practiced a driving in bad weather conditions, and do not make routine cross-country trips. But, in your thoughtlessness, you are allowed to make uninformed, inexperienced judgements. Have at.

Tony Kisner 5 years, 3 months ago

Nearly wore white shoes one October day.

milkman_dan 5 years, 3 months ago

Lots of close calls of almost having to go to the board in 7th grade math class

bndairdundat 5 years, 3 months ago

After 35 years driving trucks I have had a few. Once an oncoming dump truck lost it's set of rear dual tires. As it bounced toward my windshield I braced for impact. A freak bounce caused it to leave the road at the last instant. Another time a piece of scrap steel fell out of the trailer ahead of my truck. As I swerved to avoid it, it passed between my windshield post and my rear view mirror, punching a hole in the trailer I was pulling. All in a days work. Have since retired with all fingers, toes and most of my marbles intact. (debatable) No accidents, no traffic violations

The_Original_Bob 5 years, 3 months ago

I ate at Burrito King.

rantor 5 years, 3 months ago

notnowdear,First of all you shouldn't have been riding the left lane.Sounds like you caused the accident.Second, you left the scene and did not offer aid.Then, you post your irresponsible actions.You are what's wrong with this world. You definitely shouldn't be driving and probably shouldn't be outside w/o supervision. You are by the purist form of the definition, an idiot.

notnowdear 5 years, 3 months ago

Last year, a red Iowa truck tried to pass me on I-80 when the road was packed with snow and ice following a blizzard. I was riding the left lane, driving with caution and patience, and alertness, with respect for the road conditions. He, because it is my assumption that red 4-wheel drive trucks are mosly driven by men, got up level with me, in his acceleration mode. He must have thought this Kansas driver is a novice at winter weather, when, in reality, I am not. Suddenly Red was filling my rearview mirror, then Red went off into the median to the left, between the lanes of traffic, and rolled several times.I don't know how I got out of that unscathed. I was left to continue onward, without sudden changes in direction or speed, making an hour-long prayer and then hourly prayers for that man the remainder of the drive.

rantor 5 years, 3 months ago

When her husband came home early

faceit 5 years, 3 months ago

Once dated a girl who missed her period. That almost ruined my 8th grade year.

verity 5 years, 3 months ago

I walked away from a car that was run into and totaled by an idiot running a red light---seatbelt probably saved me from being thrown out into a busy intersection and being horribly injured or killed.Two lessons:Always, always wear your seatbelt.Don't expect people to stop for red lights.

Fangorn 5 years, 3 months ago

I was flying in a C-130 to South Carolina in 1990 when we were struck by lightning. It's a tough little plane though. Designed in the 1950s and still going strong!And in 2000, we were landing in Milano on a commercial flight. We were almost on the tarmac when the pilot accelerated and began to climb again. I started looking for hijackers (this was before 9/11, but still). After we started cirlcing back around, the pilot explained what had happened - in Italian. Once he switched to English, I learned that another plane had pulled onto the runway in front of us. Not good!

grimpeur 5 years, 3 months ago

I purchased a ticket on TWA Flight 800 for July 24, 1996, one week after it went down in NYC, but I had changed my reservation by then. Does that count (two degrees of removal)?The number of close calls with Lawrence's motoring numbskulls, especially those playing with toys while driving, is simply too many to list here.

Purell 5 years, 3 months ago

I touched the handle in a public restroom once; I lived through it, but that was really close

maxcrabb 5 years, 3 months ago

And now, Deep Thoughts... by Jack Handy"When I die, I want to go quietly in my sleep, just like my grandpa. Not screaming and crying like all the passengers in his car..."

hitme 5 years, 3 months ago

Yeah, I had a big bowl of chili the day before my colonoscopy

prospector 5 years, 3 months ago

Exactly, what is like a plane crash, other than a plane crash?I looked down the barrel of a gun on two occasions. An old racist with a shotgun and a troubled teen with a Saturday Night special. The old guy was all blow but the kid took care of his problem. I was fortunate to not be it.

jimjones 5 years, 3 months ago

Yeah, I was lucky, it just killed my family and everyone around me. Between the insurance and the inheritance, I'll never have to work again....er...I mean, I really miss them

tangential_reasoners_anonymous 5 years, 3 months ago

I have close calls, daily.( I hate it when she doesn't pick up. )

Flap Doodle 5 years, 3 months ago

Back in the day, I was riding in the TC hatch of an M60A1 tank when it hit a ditch. I was dang near thrown out of the turret. If I had rolled down the tank's front slope I could have been ground into the dirt by one of the treads. It would have been a messy demise for one as handsome and clever as myself.