It all happened so fast.

Time : 9.10pm, Friday 4th March 2005.
Location : Crackley Lane, Kenilworth

I had just picked my brother up from London and we were on our way home (to my house in Coventry). We had only 4 miles to go.

I drove round a left hand bend and saw a white car come the other way. As the road was narrow, I pressed the brake to slow down. My wheel(s) hit patches of ice on the road and the car began to slide immediately into the direction of the oncoming car. While my brother realised what was going to happen and prepared himself for the crash, I struggled to control my car and I hit the car at about 40mph - my car having not slowed down at all during the time.

I remember the loud bang. I remember being thrown into my locking seatbelt. I remember seeing my bonnet jerk up and the airbag hitting me in the face and throwing my spectacles off. I then saw the beaming headlights of the other car staring me in the face.

"Josh, are you okay?"

I walked out of the car in a daze. It was pitch dark and freezing cold.

The driver of the other car was fine, and there were no passengers. The cars, however, were both wrecked. My gearstick was (and still is) stuck in 3rd gear and the clutch was nothing more than a springy pedal. My front wheels are misaligned and the engine has bits broken off. The other car refused to start.

This is what it looks like.



I called Redha (he was at Wei's birthday dinner) It was all of 15 minutes before the police arrived at the scene, and another 10 before Redha, Adeline, Perng, and Jon showed up. Jon took my brother home, while Redha & Perng rejoined Wei's party. Adeline and I rode in the tow truck - with my car strapped on the back.

Even though a lot of people think I'm crazy, I'm very upset about the Rachel (my car). She was my pride and joy. I consider her my first proper car. I saved up for months to buy her, and insurance is not going to cover repairs that need to be done, and they will cost too much for me to do myself. To add to the pain, I had a conversation with a potential buyer few hours before the accident, who agreed to pay me £1500 for her in July. OUCH OUCH OUCH.

However, I refuse to be completely stupid. I could have died in the accident, as could my brother and the driver of the other car - but instead I've walked away with mild internal bruising and shock, and the other two with nothing at all. Like my brother said, God was (and still is) on our side, and he has greater plans for me than for me to die at 22.

Praise the Lord in every situation.

Many thanks to all those who have helped me directly and indirectly, esp. (in no particular order)

Adeline
.. for leaving the party and keeping me company - and being so absolutely wonderful..

Redha
.. for leaving the party to come to the scene of the accident..

Jon
.. for coming to the scene and all the post-accident driving..

Perng
.. for leaving the party.. and coming to see me after..

Danial
.. for coming to see me after the party..

Qiu Jhin
.. for running me to the hospital and police station at absurd times..

.. and all those who have shown concern in one way or the other. I appreciate you all very much.

I will post more pictures of the accident when I can.

For now, please let me get over it first - seeing my car in its' current condition is nowhere near easy for me. For this reason, PLEASE don't ask any questions in relation to the car, repair, or insurance (which won't cover my car). I'm sorry to have to say it, but it just doesn't help.

Highlight Of The Day
In the current circumstances, highlight of the day will be on hold for now. However, I do have a Big Band gig tonight which should be AWESOME.