A couple of Saturdays ago I was on the A11 heading towards Royston, to help my niece and her boyfriend move into their first new home. Radio on. Presents, cards and champagne on my front seat.
It was raining. The road was fast and busy. Close to the Barton Mills roundabout, traffic stopped suddenly and brake lights stretched ahead in both lanes. I stopped in time. Next to me, in the outside lane, others didn't.
The sound of tyres skidding and metal crunching is horrifying. Dozens of thoughts happen in an instant. How bad is this going to get? Am I going to be next?
After the noise, comparative silence. It's interesting what adrenaline can do. I have a bad back. I can't run. But now I could. Fast. Just me, three wrecked cars and the people in them just sitting staring. Alive or dead? Is that smoke or steam?
Explosion and fire was my immediate terror. Shouting. Shouting. Get out if you can. Get out! A young couple had also stopped. They dialled 999. The crash victims started to emerge from their crumpled cars. They were moving in slow motion. Shock is so disabling. Six adults dazed, unable to compute what had happened, unable to answer simple questions. Is there anyone else in the cars?
Holding their heads, shaking, muttering and crying with cuts and bruises from airbags and seat belts. Thank God they were all walking wounded. Some started picking up scattered belongings with 70mph traffic kicking up spray on the other side of the central barrier. So much danger, still.
Shouting. Shouting. Leave your stuff. Walk away from your cars. Come with me. Pulling them by the arms. Forcing them to comply. Our crocodile of soggy, bemused strangers crossed to the grass verge and east bound traffic started flowing again.
We were all damp, jelly-legged and nauseous and there were many more tears as loved ones were called. My dog's car blankets and a couple of spare coats kept people warm until the paramedics and police officers from both Norfolk and Suffolk arrived, all of them so kind, courteous, helpful and reassuring.
Every couple of years I go on a first aid course with St John's Ambulance and I would urge others to find a way of getting similar training.
Thankfully, I didn't have to deal with life threatening injuries and I know I didn't do everything by the book. But I did feel confident enough to take control of an emergency and give the medics the information they needed on arrival.
There was a happy ending. One of the drivers in the crash was on her way to her best friend's wedding, only a few miles from Royston. I was able to deliver her to the church door just before the service started.
She was bloodied, bruised and tear-stained but she got there on time.
Now that's one hell of a way to upstage a bride!
For more on Save a Life September visit the website www.sja.org.uk/sja/support-us/our-campaigns/save-a-life-september.aspx
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