Someone up there was looking out for us today...

[C_Dave45]

Not to mention complete strangers who saved my wife's life today.

Heading out to Dinosaur PP for a weekend camping trip with the whole family. We were almost there, when a gust of wind hit us on a gentle curve on the highway. I felt everything lurch, as we were blown sideways and the trailer started to fishtail. It was hopeless after that. Back and forth across the highway and then into the ditch. We rolled several times, and our dog was thrown out the sun roof. I watched the roof caving in with each roll. Finally stopping, I heard my wife screaming. I checked on our boy in the back seat...he said he was okay. I crawled out the sunroof and saw our dog running across the field, she was so scared. Then I could smell the fire. I went to open my wifes door, there was no way. The A-pillar was almost on top of her. Two passers-by crawled in from the back. I reached down and thank God, the power seat still worked, so I lowered her seat far enough where these two guys pulled her out. I couldn't do it. In too much pain and disoriented. I can't believe we're all alive. But we've lost everything.

Home now but I can barely move. Wife can't walk, a real bad laceration on her knee that went to the bone. Spent all night at Bassano Hospital. I can't thank enough all the strangers that stopped to help. I wish I could thank them.

[G-ZUS]

Holy shit, Sorry to hear that Dave. Just bad luck for you lately.

[D'z Nutz]

Holy crap Dave! Glad to hear you guys are okay. Get well soon

[TomcoPDR]

Good to hear you're all ok, given the photos of the aftermath.

[eglove]

Holy crap dude. That is insane. Glad you are okay. First the arm now this. Wow!

[FixedGear]

Were you able to find your dog and is she ok?

[jdmXSI]

Wow... I am glad to hear you are okay and wish your family a speedy recovery.

[project240]

Wow. So thankful to hear everyone was able to walk away with their lives. May have guessed different just seeing photos of the aftermath. Get better soon Dave and Family.

[spikerS]

Glad to hear everyone came away from that relatively ok Dave, that is just crazy!

How's the kid holding up through all of this?

If there is anything I can do to help out, let me know and I will do my best.

[lilmira]

Wow you won the serious accident thread. Good that everyone got out ok.

Good luck on the recovery.

[The_Rural_Juror]

Glad that your family is alive. We are all here to help if you need anything.

[sabad66]

Jesus.... That's crazy. Happy to hear you all made it. Scary stuff.

Looking back would you have done differently? Driven slower?

[benyl]

Glad everyone is safe. This is something you only see on the news or movies. Crazy!

[jdmakkord]

Holy shit!

[jdmsource]

Wow! Glad to hear you and your family are ok. Material things can be replaced. Is your dog ok Dave?

[NoPulp]

Wow wasn't expecting anything this dramatic when opening the thread.

Glad everyone is okay.

[C_Dave45]

Thank you everyone for the kind thoughts and wishes. It really does mean a lot. And after seeing so many strangers come running to our help yesterday, even down to the smallest things...one man ran to his truck and brought back some water and a doggy-bowl for Shadow, our dog.

Yes we did get her. She was running away as in a "get me the fuck outta here" gait, but once my son called her and she saw him, she came back. She only had a pretty nasty cut below one eye. But she came back right beside my wife and laid beside her once we finally got her far enough away from the wreck. Had to move twice because the flames kept creeping closer to where we were.

What could we have done differently? I really don't know. My wife is a good driver, but not in an emergency situation, but I don't know if I would have been able to get control once it started fishtailing or not, especially since one hand is in a cast and I can't maneuver it quickly. We were going under 100 and the speed limit is 110. Like I said, the winds were huge out there. Maybe a bigger vehicle? Our SUV is 7,000 lbs. It's rated for 8,000 lbs towing and our trailer was 26', weighing in at 5800 lbs.

The depression is really starting to hit us though. We go through different emotions, from huge gratitude that we are all alive, to sadness about different "little things" we lost. My wife had a small change purse her Mom gave her just before she died. Her favorite "Guess" purse lol....I know right? Women and their purses. I keep crying about my favorite Scotch and all booze and great steaks we had in the fridge!! $300 worth of booze!!! Wont someone think of the booze?!!!! All our fishing gear and camp gear we've accumulated over the years. I know it's all "stuff" that can be replaced...but it's amazing the emotional toll those little things take.

Have no idea what will be covered. Have to get on the blower today with the insurance company. I'm sure it'll just be a blanket cheque, but doubt it will even come close to covering everything.

But thank you everyone...thank you for the offers of help. My oldest boy and his g/f have lent us their truck and are at our beck and call. As well as my sister. Her husband is a fireman and he could not believe we basically walked away with scratches from all that.

[KRyn]

It is absolutely incredible that everyone made it out of an accident that serious with only relatively minor injuries. Wishing you and your family a speedy recovery Dave. I hope your invariance company is easy to deal with.

[300zxfairlday]

Wow! Glad to hear you are all ok!

[blairtruck]

that is crazy. any before pics of the vehicle and trailer?