On the road: losing an axle

[janestarz]

Yesterday evening I was on the way to Hilversum and just cruising along at 100kph. I was behind a family car (the size of an Opel Zafira) and on the phone with my stepbrother. Don't worry, I was using my bluetooth handsfree earpiece.
Thank the Gods for that.

 

Suddenly, I saw a shower of sparks of nearly a meter high rise up from behind the silhouette of the family car in front of me. The family car jammed on the brakes, and so did I. Everything happened really fast. Something bounced onto the shoulder of the road: two wheels, connected by an axle. *gasp*

 

The canoo trailer in front of the family car had  lost its axle, and it was dragging over the asphalt. The car and trailer steered onto the shoulder and while still jamming the brakes I signed with my warning lights to the traffic behind me. The car with the trailer turned onto the shoulder and the family car stopped behind it. Another car that had been overtaking the trailer pulled up in front of them.
Lucky for all of us, nobody was hurt. The three cars stopped on the shoulder and the rest of traffic passed them by. 

 

After retrieving my heart from my throat, I continued my journey and conversation on the phone. But jeez, what a trip!
It makes the guy glued to the left lane on an empty four lane highway look like nothing...

Posted via LiveJournal app for Android.

Comments

[anemoona.livejournal.com]

Thank God (or anybody else who is overlooking this big ball of dirt) nothing happened!

[nachtvisser.livejournal.com]

We often wonder why some derailed car drivers undertake the most dangerous moves to get where they want to go, but experiencing an event like yours , Whow. Lucky for you/us your guardians look out over you.

[muizenstaartje.livejournal.com]

Scary. It's one of those things you think will never happen to you, but when it does, it's really scary. I'm glad to hear this tale ended well with nothing but car damage and raised heart rates.

[fiofiorina.livejournal.com]

You were all very lucky indeed!