Tragic Accident
Yesterday was a horrible day here. My next door neighbor, her 13 year-old daughter Julie and my daughter Lauren have been best friends since we moved here six years ago.
Julie's 7 year-old sister was killed in a go-cart accident about a 100 yards from our driveways yesterday afternoon. The 8 year-old boy who was driving the go-cart is in critical condition and not expected to pull through. They were coming down a small hill in a wooded area near our road and ran out in front of a pick-up truck who was passing by. The driver of the truck had no way to stop in time and all but flattened the go-cart. The little girl was killed at the scene.
My daughter is taking it really hard too. All those girls (there were six kids - all girls) next door have been like sisters to her. I feel so horrible for their mom. She was given a sedative and I didn't get to see her at all yesterday. I did get to talk with their dad and he's blaming himself for telling the little one "no" when she asked to ride into town to pick up building materials for work.
The little girl and one of her sisters were at my house only two hours before the accident asking for Lauren. I can't get the thought out of my head that I'm so grateful Lauren wasn't home and in town with one of her other friends when it happened....or she would have probably been with them or maybe IN the go-cart.
My husband and I sat on the front porch and watched the news crews and family members gather in droves. We let whoever needed use our drive to park their vehicles. We watched the flatbed tow-truck haul off what was left of the go-cart and it was a horrible mangled mess! We cried for hours and sat with Lauren while she cried most of last night.
No...the driver of the truck was not speeding nor was any alcohol involved. The poor guy is beyond distraught said his grandmother, who lives next door to the little boy. The guy was going to visit his grandmother.
Re: Tragic Accident
Thanks. No word on the little boy yet..still critical with massive head trauma. My daughter is over there now with Julie and to help with the other little ones. It was horrible and still is. I just don't know what to say, except to offer any help I can to them.
Re: Tragic Accident
Showing your friends how much you care for them.. offering your help where you can , showing them in your own loving way that you are there for them, whenever they need that. Be what you always have been and still are.. their loving and caring friend...
Mery.. thats really the only thing you can do right now.. Its not always by our words we show our love and care.
Sometimes just to let peoble know you are there for them.. is so much more worth....
I can imagine how difficult this must be for you...(((((HUGS)))))))
Moderator & Shadow Walker
Posts: 1573
(3/16/03 6:11 pm) Reply
Re: Tragic Accident
Mery this is such a tragedy. When no words seem to be enough to ease the suffering the love of your actions are able to speak volumes. I feel so badly for the loss of that family and the feelings that you and your family must also be going through. Keeping you all in thoughts and prayers.
Moderator & Castle Maiden
Posts: 1817
(3/16/03 9:28 pm) Reply
Re: Tragic Accident
Merey I am so terribly sorry. This is so tragic for everyone involved, and the pain you are all feeling right now must be unbearable. By just being there for your friends, to listen when they need it and the support and love you will give, is the best you can do. Keep the communication open with your daughter as I'm sure this is terribly hard for her to comprehend. My prayers are with you and this family. ((((((((((((((mery)))))))))))))))). Hang in there hun!!
Re: Tragic Accident
Thanks everyone....all the warm encouragement is much appreciated right now. Megan's funeral is Wednesday morning. Lauren spent almost the whole day with her friend Julie yesterday. I haven't even got to see their mother yet, she's not doing well.
We finally heard some more of the details. The little boy, Tanner, died Saturday night. He was an only child too. I don't know his family, but we're sending flowers, because the kids all knew each other. This tragedy has affected every kid in our neighborhood. They all know each other and all hang out together.
The poor guy that was driving the truck...we found out... was Tanner's uncle!!!!!! Tanner and his mother had moved into a small trailer house next door to the grandmother's house. I can't even begin to imagine what he's going through.
My neighbor's home has been filled with so many family and church members that there's hardly room to move. Once the crowds fade a bit, I'll go to visit her.
My heart is breaking for both those families. I can't help but feel a twinge of guilt, because the first thought that ran through my mind when I heard what happened was "thank God Lauren wasn't here, she would have been with them or may have been the one in the go-cart". I've been told that's a normal reaction, but I can't help feeling guilt and relief at the same time. My daughter is having a hard enough time dealing with it as it is. I can't imagine what we'd be going through if she had witnessed it.
Moderator & Castle Maiden
Posts: 1825
(3/17/03 9:04 am) Reply
Re: Tragic Accident
Mery it is natural to feel the guilt, and it is ok. You will work through it. I'm so terribly sorry about the passing of the little boy also. This is so extremely heartbreaking. I know your neighbour has lots of support right now and I'm sure she will appreciate your visit once things have calmed down a bit. Your support then too will be very comforting to her I'm sure. This is so extremely difficult for everyone to understand. I'm glad your daughter is spending time with her friends. They can help each other through this time as well. My prayers are with all involved, and that little boys uncle I can't imagine what he is possibly feeling like right now. Hang in there Mereyna, our thoughts are with you now.
Queen of The Haunts
Posts: 4674
(3/17/03 12:03 pm) Reply
Re: Tragic Accident
Mery I am so sorry to hear all of this, my prayers goes out to everyone whos involved. and I also think that feeling the way you did is natural. I would say what spry says. Be with her when everyone is gone, she will need your support. (((((((mery)))))).
Re: Tragic Accident
(((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))
I'm so sorry, this is a horrible loss. You just do your best to be there for your daughter and her friends and the family. I couldn't imagine losing one of my children. And that poor man, how do you deal with killing 2 children. Those families need all the prayers they can get right now.
Re: Tragic Accident
Thanks everyone! It's getting better. Lauren is having difficulty dealing with all the talk about it and the other kids bombarding her with questions, but I think she'll snap out of it pretty soon. Keeping her home from school again today though.
Yesterday was the funeral and memorial services. The pastor did a wonderful job at keeping it light and upbeat, not dark and somber like so many I've attended. The school principal also spoke and did such a gracious job.
Overall, it was a very nice ceremony. This Saturday is going to probably be very tough on the mother.....it would have been Megan's 8th birthday. She was killed exactly one week from her birthday.
The driver of the truck has been hospitalized from a nervous breakdown. I heard he's doing better, but not released yet. Both sets of parents have been to see him and let him know that they don't put blame on him.
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