Accidents happen.

[Derelict]

Not many of you probably noticed but I haven't been online for a few days, which to be honest is a bit unusual for me. Well, there was good reason. I was in a car accident while camping on Saturday. A friend of mine was thrown from the vehicle and hit his head on a rock. Another friend and I managed to stop the bleeding with our shirts and did the best we could to save him. The paramedics worked on him at the scene but we were told later at the hospital in town that he didn't make it. His name was Evan Stewart and I've known him since the first grade. We weren't the greatest friends up until about 2002, in grade 6. We've been tight ever since and I never thought something like this would ever happen. Even after Bevan, who I'd only known for a couple years, committed suicide just over a month ago I figured I'd never have to go through it again. Now I've lost another very good friend and honestly I don't think I've cried more in my entire life.

Eight of my friends and myself decided to go camping on Friday. We hopped in our cars and headed out. Around 3pm on Saturday Kris decided he wanted to jump off the bridge nearby into the lake. Kris hopped into Luke's car with Kyle because he'd never driven it before. Luke hopped in Kris's truck with the other six of us in the box. It was only a 2 minute drive so we figured what could go wrong. On the way back from Kris jumping in we were coming around a sharp corner when the truck hit loose dirt and went off the road. The edge of the road is basically a small ditch with a bump and then ten feet or so of steep dirt and rocks before the big rocks start. The truck flew over the edge and hit a tree which turned it sideways into the lake.
I was at the back of the box and managed to jump out and only sustained some bruises on my leg and ribs. Nick was right at the front and flew straight into the water and was unharmed. Luke, who was the only one in the cab, bumped his head a bit and was able to swim out the open window before it filled with water. Cody landed a few feet away from me on his back and bruised his kidney. Kristi landed in the shallower water and broke one of her legs. Evan, my friend who died, pulled Lori on top of him so she wouldn't land on the rocks. Lori scraped her head and bruised her ribs but Evan managed to save her life. Unfortunately in saving Lori, Evan cracked his head on a larger rock and badly damaged his chest. As soon as I landed, seeing I was the only one with a level head and relatively uninjured I sent Luke and Nick back up onto the road to wave down Kris and Kyle, who by then had noticed we were no longer following them and turned around.
Both Kris and Kyle got out and let Luke and Nick drive Luke's car to get help. I sent Cody to help Kristi out of the water and sent Lori up onto the road, because she was freaking out pretty bad. I pulled off my shirt and put it around Evan's head to stop his bleeding. Panic had set in for everyone when we crashed, and especially so when shock sent Evan into several convulsions. We were sure he would die right there.
Kris came down from the road to help with Evan until the professionals showed up . Two guys drove up with a few other people and two nurses who were staying in a campsite nearby. They made Evan comfortable until the ambulance arrived about 45 minutes later. The paramedics sent Kris and I onto the road to get checked out and then the rest of us were sent to the hospital. They were preparing to fly Evan to Vancouver but he died before they were able to take off. Everyone did the best they could, but it just wasn't enough.

Most have already assumed that alcohol was involved since it was a bunch of teenagers out camping, but as I've already stated it was only 3pm and none of us had gotten around to doing any drinking at all. I'd had a beer earlier at lunch and so had Evan, but other than that there was nothing.

I've pretty much just been feeling pretty empty for the past few days. I don't much care about how I feel, though, because I can't begin to imagine how guilty Luke feels for being the one driving, or Lori for having lived so Evan could die, or even Kris for letting Luke drive his truck. In the end none of it matters because it was no ones fault. Accidents happen.

Well, I just wanted to share a bit with you guys. I hope some of you can share some feelings you have about similar situations. Of course spame is going to call this a "giant circle jerk with tears as lubricant", but ignore that.

TLDR, right?

[Far]

I had wondered where you'd been the last few days. All I can do is offer my condolences to you and your friends.

Thankfully nothing like this has happened to me or my friends and I consider myself to be extremely lucky.

Again I'm terribly sorry for your loss, especially so soon after your other friend.

[John Travolta]

This is just like my thread minus the gay sex.

It seems like everybody you touch dies, Derelict. Sorry for it.

[Derelict]

Sure seems that way doesn't it, Copyright.

[John Travolta]

It's pretty horrible that it happened in broad daylight. Another fact of life, that death is totally non-discriminatory and it's a very leveling fact that it could happen in an instant.

[Matt]

I'm sorry to hear about your tragic story. Your friend must have cared deeply about all of your friendships. To pull Kristi on top of him like that was incredibly brave. To think of others before yourself in a situation like that is rare.

The best thing I would think you can do right about now is to let his parent's know how wonderful of a son they had and how much you all cared for him.

[Derelict]

We spent all of Sunday at his house with his parents and younger brother. I couldn't believe how stoic they were being. Clearly it was for our sake, but it really helped us deal with it knowing how solid they were.

[Besh]

Sorry for your loss, and I'm probably one of two people who read the whole thing.

[Rob]

Sorry to hear that. Stay strong for your friends, and for Evan's family.

[JonC]

Whoa man, thats horrible. I didn't realize you hadn't been on until, well, you mentioned it in this thread. I know it isn't going to change things, but I hope you feel better and whatnot. I mean, this may sound cliche or something, but sometimes, when its time for someone to go, its time for htem to go. Though, i do believe freak accidents happen, which this could be one, or it may not. Its hard to exactly classify it.

Maybe with this happening, you could get the city to try to fix that road you were on, so this doens't happen to anyone else in the future. Ya know? So maybe his death, won't necessarily be in vain, it caused a fucked up road to be fixed or something.

Hope you and the family feel better dude. (and it wasn't that long, I think I have typed longer than that ;) )

[HappinessMan]

Derelict, I'm sorry for your loss. Two good friends in a short amount of time, that's horrible. Evan is a hero for saving Lori, and that final good deed shows he was a good person, even though I did not know him. May he rest in peace.

[Kenneh]

Aww man, I couldn't imagine suddenly losing 2 of my friends in that short period of time. You should feel pretty horrible by now. Sorry for your loss dude, accidents could happen at anytime.

And the story, it was an interesting read. He sacrificed himself for another person to live, now thats a hero dude. I don't think many people would do that in a situation like this, but if he didn't pull her in top of him then maybe both of them would die. Quick thinking.

Best of luck in handling this situation.

[Besh]

Derelict, I'm sorry if this sounds crass, but perhaps you could have someone engrave the fact that he sacrificed his own life for someone elses on his tombstone, he certainly deserves it.

[Derelict]

Maybe with this happening, you could get the city to try to fix that road you were on, so this doens't happen to anyone else in the future. Ya know? So maybe his death, won't necessarily be in vain, it caused a fucked up road to be fixed or something.

It was a dirt road pretty far out of town. I doubt anyone is going to do anything about it.

[Kevosk]

Dude, I'm really sorry for you and your friends' loss. I mean like, it's one thing to lose a friend in an accident but to be there when he's dying, I mean, fuck... I guess you just have to remind yourself that he died doing one of the fucking bravest things I've heard, and that thankfully there was a lot of water nearby and no one else from your friends were seriously injured.

I live in victoria and haven't seen any of this in the news yet, do you think the family plans on releasing the story?

[Derelict]

Dude, I'm really sorry for you and your friends' loss. I mean like, it's one thing to lose a friend in an accident but to be there when he's dying, I mean, fuck... I guess you just have to remind yourself that he died doing one of the fucking bravest things I've heard, and that thankfully there was a lot of water nearby and no one else from your friends were seriously injured.

I live in victoria and haven't seen any of this in the news yet, do you think the family plans on releasing the story?

There were reporters from A channel there as we were being taken away in an ambulance. I'm sure sometime this week you'll see or hear a report about a car accident involving some teenagers with several wounded and one dead. I don't know how detailed the report will be, but there's a chance you'll come across it somehow.

We were at Upper Campbell Lake, by the way.

[John Travolta]

http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/19660719.html

[Derelict]

Quick find, Copyright. It's weird seeing it on my computer screen from another source.

[OoooF4LiFe]

Real shitty situation that their considering the alcohol as a cause. Honestly I don't blame them, if I had their job I would think it too, but it's a pain in the ass pleading a case that they've already made up their mind over. Minus the pending investigation.

Hard to hear about loss, especially hard when your there. My condolences to you and your friends/family.

[Kevosk]

Dude, they ruled out alcohol as a reason; they just listed it as a truck going out of control.

EDIT: What does "Does to appear to" mean?

[OoooF4LiFe]

Oh, well thats good to know. I was just going by the story linked by JT.

[JonC]

It was a dirt road pretty far out of town. I doubt anyone is going to do anything about it.

Well, you never know if you don't say anything about it.

[Spiffy13]

I really think 2008 is the hell year. From what I've seen, read, and what has happened to me, it really does seem like it. My dog just died on Thursday and I'm still not over it. I'm so sorry for your loss, man, and can't even imagine how you feel, since just a month ago another friend of yours died... R.I.P. Evan. He's really a heroic guy.

[natalie137]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss :( I know it's already been said but Evan really is a hero for saving your other friend's life like that.

Seems pretty typical of the report JT posted to say alcohol was involved just because it was a bunch of teenagers, even though like you said it wasn't. Fucking media.

[Inseln]

Wow, that's amazing that Evan could think clearly in a situation and comit a chivalrous action that would save his friend's life. Spiffy's right, he's a hero.

It's really slack the authorities automatically jumped to the conclusion of alcohol. When I was about 7, I was in the car with my mum and a truck ran into our little station wagon and nearly wrapped it around a near by poll. The trucker drove off, he didn't even notice what had happened and for about a week the authorities had thought she had been drinking and driving, it's only until they found the trucker and questioned him that they apologized for false accusations.

R.I.P. Even, he'll be remembered by his actions.

[Assassin]

That really fuckin sucks. There's not much I can say to make it seem better and I'm not going to try either. Just be proud of your friend sacrificing his life for a friend. It may be easy to say "yeah i'd sacrifice myself for my friends too lol" but I don't think many people could actually do it. May he rest in peace

[Putzmeister]

I'm not sure if this is any of the same. But one of my bests mates mum died of Breast cancer.. almost 3 years ago, and recently 2 of my other mate's mothers have both been re-diagnosed with cancer, one who isn't expected to live for longer than 12 months, because the new cancer has spread from her breasts, into her lungs and her spinal cord. I think this all touches a similar on similar feelings with me as 2 years ago i was diagnosed with testicular cancer (yes and let the jokes begin), and have only just "beaten" it if you will. Now i'm fine and have really forgotten about how low it was at times, i mean i am only just turning 17. But i look back at those times as character building. And never really take it to seriously and most often take to the jokes kindly.. i believe those times have made me a better person today.

Enough about me though, but i honestly feel sorry for you. And for a fear of sounding to cliche, but you did all you could, try and not blame yourself, or any of your friends, i hope you get through it, i really do.

[Ziggy St. Valentine]

R.I.P. There is nothing more respectable than somebody who can do something so selfless.

[CnGy]

{{{Derelict}}}

That's all I can say really.

[bizzle]

I'm sorry about your loss. Losing a friend is the worst feeling in the world.

[MSB]

I keep coming back to this thread, thinking I'll come up with something to say, but I can't. So i'm posting to let you know that I read this, and I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. Just like everyone else stated, Evan did the most heroic act by sacrificing himself so Lori could live. Truly amazing.

I hope you find peace through your grieving time. *hugs*

[potolife]

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. It's a shame that someone so brave and selfless as Evan had to die, just because he was trying to save another person. Just try to remember what a good person he was, and talk with all your friends (especially Lori) to help each other get through it. A so-so friend of mine got into a fight and died because one guy pulled a knife, which was totally unexpected since we were in 8th grade. I knew about the fight before hand so I've always blamed myself somewhat for his death, mainly because I never told anyone about knowing. If you all just share memories and stuff with each other, it'll surely make you feel a lot better.

[Niki]

I'm sorry, that really sucks. You really don't deserve having to go through all this in such a short period of time, nobody does. Is Lori doing any better?

[Mycroft]

I can only extend my condolences.
It's good that you can talk so freely about your feelings on this forum.
I don't really know you, but know that I care.

[Alcoholic]

That's horrendous, Derelict. I'm truly sorry. I mentioned in someone elses thread on a like topic that I have lost a few friends in accidents like this.

It's never easy, and there is always undue guilt involved. Keep reinforcing to the driver (Luke, I think?) that he is not responsible for anything. Whether he was driving 20 under the speed limit, or 20 over, is inconsequential. The fact is, he is at risk for some serious post-trauma danger. Be the friend you obviously are to everyone involved. You all know he did nothing to catalyze your pals' death, so insure that he knows it.

As far as your situation goes, I definitely feel for you. You and your other buddies did the damned best you could do, especially being untrained EMT's or anything of the sort. You tried, and one way or another, he knows that you broke your emotions while doing your very best to not only comfort him mentally and physically, but that you gave everything you possibly could at the time to try and keep him with you.

It's not a beautiful situation, and a lot of life's scenarios aren't, but like everyone thus far has mentioned - he died protecting someone you all loved. That's spectacularly awe-inspiring.

I've had friends die from accidents, overdoses, gunshots, and things self-inflicted.
Things can like horrible and twisted, but in the end, nothing is out of hand, and you guys still love your friend Evan who was more sacrificial than most people get the chance to be.

[INTUNEevolution]

Derelict, I'm so sorry this happened. I don't know how other people deal with deaths, because I take them very hard, and it seems you do too. Losing a friend is the worst thing in the world, and no one should have to see it happen, but we do and I'm sorry it happened to you.

[Garrity828]

I am so sorry for your loss, Derelict. Evan was a hero and sounds like a great person. I send you and his family my prayers. May he rest is peace.

[Inconceivable]

Man, this truly sucks.
this is hard shit to deal with, hang in there.

[koots]

So sorry to hear about that. It's always terrible when people so close in age and friendship die. It really puts our mortality into perspective.

It's can also be a good thing that they said alchohol is not thought to be a factor. It takes the question out of peoples mind.

[Chaplin]

Death seems to be on your block, ringing doorbells. Be thankful no one else was harmed. May Evan rest in peace.

[PyroOwned]

What a heroic way to go, he'll be remembered as a legend forever. I'm so sorry for your losses Derelict, I hope you and your friends are Ok. <MAN HUG>

[Chaplin]

People seem to disappear on us when we need them the most.

[The Fetus]

People seem to disappear on us when we need them the most.

That's something that needs to be in a book.

Anyway, Derelict, it's been said a million times, and it'll be said a million more times, but I am very deeply sorry to hear that. My condolences to you and your friends and their families. I could never imagine going through anything like that. I hope the best for you and anyone else who was affected in such a tragic event.

Haven't had a friend die on me yet. My friends that seemed to vanish, became dead to me after I had moved. It was like they stopped caring or I stopped caring about being friends. So I started telling people that all my friends were dead. (Motivated from the song.) We stopped being friends after events in their lives. For example, my friend Ryan stopped talking to me after he went in the Marines and my friends Alex and Brantly got in a car accident. We stopped talking after those events.

Reading this makes me never want to say that again.

[InTransit]

Derelict, I'm so sorry for your loss, but at the same time I'm glad that you weren't badly hurt.

Atleast your friend spent his last few moments on this earth surrounded by his friends, knowing he had saved another life.

[Derelict]

Dude, they ruled out alcohol as a reason; they just listed it as a truck going out of control.

EDIT: What does "Does to appear to" mean?

My dad e-mailed the editor and they changed it. Alcohol was not a factor.

[JonC]

That's good. So now, the people who hear about this know it was just a freak accident, not an alcohol-related accident.

[bizzle]

Well, and no disrespect or anything derelict, but reading about it says that there were a bunch of people in the box of the truck speeding on a dirt logging road. So while it was unintended and tragic, it wasn't exactly a "freak" accident.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_north/campbellrivermirror/news/19725659.html

[Derelict]

It doesn't say anything about speeding. It says the truck lost control and went over the bank, which is exactly what happened.

EDIT: The updated article states that speed appears to be a factor. My mistake.

[jewishjosh]

Man, you can't get a break, can you? I don't have much to add other than condolences to you, your friends, and Evan's family.

I haven't seen anything in the Vancouver newspapers yet but I'll keep my eyes peeled.

[Quadros]

My sympathies Dere. How are you guys holding up?

[AngelRedFlame]

You explained it perfectly, accidents happen, and I don't believe anyone is to blame. I'm sorry for your loss, my condolences to you, your friends, and Evan's family. He was so brave in saving a friend, and so were you guys for trying to help him.

[Graft]

I'm so sorry for your losses Dere. And i know a million people have already said it, but I'm sure he's happy he was able to save a friend. Hope you guys are all doing okay and that shit picks up for you. Hang in there man.

[El Mojado]

I'm sorry for your loss Derelic, just stay strong, not only you but the whole group. I feel your pain.

I'm still mourning for a loss of one of my friends. I knew this guy since kinder, and whats sad is that he died doing what he loved. He wanted to become a Navy S.E.A.L. and was training to go to S.E.A.L training. He was swiming in a river and some how he lost his balance and went under and hit his head on a rock and drowned. This was a few weeks back.

I'm sorry for your loss Derelic. That Evan guy was heroric.

[Derelict]

My sympathies Dere. How are you guys holding up?

We're doing alright so far. His service is next Wednesday, and I'm really looking forward to getting some closure from it. When Bevan died I felt ten times better after the service. Just seeing everyone in one place for the same reason, all feeling just as you do puts everything into perspective. It's freeing in a way.

I'm sorry for your loss Derelic, just stay strong, not only you but the whole group. I feel your pain.

I'm still mourning for a loss of one of my friends. I knew this guy since kinder, and whats sad is that he died doing what he loved. He wanted to become a Navy S.E.A.L. and was training to go to S.E.A.L training. He was swiming in a river and some how he lost his balance and went under and hit his head on a rock and drowned. This was a few weeks back.

I'm sorry for your loss Derelic. That Evan guy was heroric.

It's tough, eh? The first ten minutes after finding out were the shittiest minutes of my entire life (hopefully nothing will top them). It only got easier from there.

[the_truth22]

hmmm i think the only accident to happen on this site is not adding "hurrgh hurrgh" to the end of each and every post. let me guess you're all counterstrike fucks as well? grow up.

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[Krabby]

I'm very sorry to hear it. My thoughts go out to you, your friends and his family.

I call myself very lucky never having a lost a friend due to an accident. Then again, I only just turned 18 and we can only get licenses at 18.

[SealPunter]

Everyone here is talking about how Evan is a hero, and how sorry they are for you. I fully agree, however, I think there is something else that is not getting the attention it deserves.

You, Derelict, even though I don't know you, sound like the greatest friend in the world. Being the only one level-headed after the crash, you managed to get help from your friends and others, and you ran you your dying friends side and gave it your all to save his life. From the way you described it, you barely hesitated in whipping off your shirt and wrapping his head with it, and for that I congratulate, and admire you.

All your other friends are lucky to have you, and were honored to be friends with Evan, I am truly in envy of them.

Rest in Peace, Evan.

[Exodus]

I'm sorry for thread necromancing, and I don't care if I get T.O.ed for it, but doesn't anyone see the hypocrasy in this thread? Same about the drug thread.

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