I was coming home when I found myself following a fire truck heading out to where I live and as I slowed to a stop to join the line up of traffic at Gordon’s Beach, the fire truck went ahead towards Tugwell Honey Farm. This was around 7.45 p.m., on Friday, Aug. 31.
Word travelled back that it was a two car, head-on accident. The details filtered through the line up and made me cringe.
Waiting for news about when the road was to re-open wasn’t happening. It was a cold night and then watching not one, but two Air BC Ambulances circle the ocean, looking for a nearby field to land in, I knew this accident was very serious. Two more ambulances, sped away into the night, lights flashing.
So what was happening during the next four hours of waiting was 50 per cent of the vehicles turned around, boats in tow, campers, row boats on trucks and left. The camper in front of me had their dinner on the roadside. The spirit of the people carried on, waiting, patiently for the road to re-open. Some Gordon’s Beach owners came along to offer their homes for washroom use and even brought cups of coffee out. Very considerate.
This was the scenario. It doesn’t take away from why that accident happened and the victims involved. When the tow truck arrived close to midnight, there was a cheer but as I looked at the crumpled mess of the vehicle go by, I shuddered.
In consideration, I want to thank the fire departments, police, ambulance attendants for the amazing work they did that night. The traffic was diverted at Otter Point Road so people could return to Sooke if they wished to.
I would like to see the other end of Otter Point Road at West Coast Road in the 8890 block re-opened. A proper engineering job to accommodate the flow of traffic in both directions. This night was a crisis and my heart went out to the people in those vehicles.
Pia Carroll
Sooke