Hi all.
Well I am back from travelling though Africa some 6 weeks early due to needing to get back to the UK due to a bad car accident in my Defender in Senegal. The Defender is gone (110 CSW expedition prepared) but it saved our lives. The whole of the front is gone and the dashboard is touching the front seat. The spare wheel came through the windscreen, never again will I put a spare wheel on the bonnet.
I have to be honest and say that I thought that I was finished when the accident happened on the 30th of January (we hit the back of a broken down lorry at 30 miles per hour at night, lorry was broken down after a bend and had no illumination or warning sign, hitting a lorry is not recommmened). Sarah (7) was trapped in the middle seat by the dashboard but I was able by moving the gearstick to get her out and all she has is a couple of grazes from the glass. Rachael (daughter) has a seat belt bruise and Jan (wifey)some cuts. I think the trauma for all of us will take longer to heal.
The steering wheel had crushed my legs and pelvis and I was stuck in the car. The Gendarmerie and the British embassy thought I was going to die (they admitted in a smaller car we would have gone under the lorry). Incredibly people appeared from nowhere on the remote road and after 15 minutes managed by brute force to push the dashboard back slightly and I was able to release my right leg. However, it took a further thirty minutes before my left leg was released which took the brunt of the impact from the steering wheel. I was also aware that I had damaged my bladder.
When I finally got out I ran about trying to organize our stuff and get the Police and Ambulance and then suddenly collapsed. I am sure I was running on adrenalin. Anyway then began a car drive to Dakar some 25 miles away that was unpleasant. I got to the hospital and there was only a nurse on duty. Took some x-rays and sent me to a hotel. With an appointment to see a surgeon the next day. The British Embassy were fabulous When I went the next day (Tuesday I think 31st) I was told I was too badly injured to be walking about and was admitted straight away. I argued constantly about clean needles. It too me nealry three weeks to get permission to fly.
For me, my left leg at the moment is still poorly and I am told will take six weeks to heal. The top of the thigh is the worst. I can just about get around on crutches. Also bruising to my bladder is fairly painful. Right leg has some damage but is okay.
When you have looked death in the face it changes things forever.
So today we went out and bought a Japanese import Discovery, it's a 300tdi with all the bells and whistles. It has done 60k miles and is an automatic. Not a Defender but more suited to motorway driving in the UK and is a lot comfier while my leg is healing.
If I ever go to Africa again driving I will get another Defender. Driving In Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal was fabulous, just stupidly I drove at night.
Yours
Andy
P Reg 300TDI Discovery