Just witnessed a crash

[getmeacupoftea]

I just witnessed a crash in a tesco car park. A big range rover lost control and sped into a bollard and completely messed up this other car. The bonnet of the Range Rover was crumpled up and hissing. All very scary, and very lucky that no one was walking in the way. I ran over, as did other people. I noticed no one had their phones out so I dialed 999, asked for an paramedic. Theres this lady talking to the passenger and driver. She then turns to me, starts shouting at me in front of a crowd of people "cancel the ambulance! They dont need one! I'm a doctor! You dont know what's best" I'm trying to cancel the ambulance on the phone with the operator, and this doctor is shouting at me still. She says "give it here, I'll talk to them" and snatches my phone off me. I can appreciate that it's a high stress situation and of course must have been terrifying for the couple in the car. Maybe I feel a bit emotional because I walking just metres away with my baby in her pram, but for some reason the lady shouting at me and the way she was speaking to me as really upset me. Currently sniffling in an M and S cafe. Pathetic, I'm not the victim at all, I know . Did I do the right thing in dialling emergency services? I feel like an idiot now

You absolutely did the right thing and the 'lady' sounds like an arrogant, rude twit.

There was no need to call an ambulance before making any assessment of whether medical care was necessary.

However, I'm sorry you were upset- under the circumstances I can understand, and you must be feeling quite shaken

You did what you thought was right under the circumstances. I think emotions were running high and you were spoken to in a way you didn’t deserve to be but probably by someone who wouldn’t usually speak to people that way either 💐

Sorry, but not really the "right thing" to call 999 before you know there's a need. Better to actually ascertain the facts before a knee jerk reaction.

The doctor sounds a bit deranged but they were probably trying to stop a wasted ambulance call out when they know how stretched they are.

Always better to let a professional take control such as an emergency services worker and let them make decisions. If they want someone to call 999, then they'll tell you to do so.

Please don't let her upset you. You did the right thing. She sounds very nasty to shout at you and snatch your phone away who does that ? Treat yourself to a nice puce of cake.

Of course you did the right thing. You informed the emergency services. If that woman really was a doctor, she wasn’t doing a great job of keeping calm in a crisis.

I appreciate there may not have been a need for an ambulance as such, so I made sure I asked for a first responder. And I thought better to have them on the phone at least. If it were an elderly couple, or children in the car, a minor crash could have had severe consequences. That was my thinking anyway. My mother had a minor crash last year, and she actually had a heart attack and was rushed to hospital.
Also, didn't know there were professionals already on scene.

Op if I was in that situation I'd hope someone would call an ambulance

Of course you did the right thing. You informed the emergency services.

Not if there was no need for the emergency services. Not all accidents/collisions need an ambulance/police.

You didn't know she was a doctor though you now know she was/is rude. Rather than ask for a paramedic you may have been better simply reporting the accident and let the call handler send a police car or paramedic.

Also feel like I should add, this wasn't a little scrape of someone else's car. Screeching of tires, massive banging sound, mounted the walkway and screams. I dont feel like I overreacted. Thanks everyone. 😊

@bigfatliar

That was my intention. But I was being repeatedly asked on the phone what service was needed. I explained that the driver and passenger were completely coherent. Appreciate your point though.

At the very least the police needed to be called, it sounds like it was enough of an accident to have required time to assess fault at the scene, assess injury and make sure that all vehicles and parts/glass were suitably removed.

I would have called 999 too!

I can understand why you overreacted, with your mum's experience on your mind. But having a heart attack is a rare consequence of a low-speed collision and it is far more sensible to actually assess the situation before calling an ambulance. Apart from anything they need to triage the call before sending an ambulance and they can't do that without more information.

Oh OP that would absolutely upset me too (and I'd also be crying). Poor you you were only trying to help she was very rude.

As an aside, as someone who recently had someone go into the side of me on a roundabout and has blamed me to their insurance, please do try to act as witness so that justice is done for the car not at fault. I had no witnesses to mine and I'm being forced to take 50% blame for something I didn't do

Also people are wrong to say you shouldn't have called an ambulance. Sometimes a few seconds really do make a difference, it's always better to call and then cancel if need be

To be fair, I'd expect the call handler to be sufficiently trained to question the caller and determine what services are needed, surely that's their job? I don't think I'd approach a car with a smashed in and hissing bonnet without seeking advice from 999, what if it had caught fire?

The BT operator will repeatedly ask you what service you require e.g. police, fire, ambulance until you say. If they are not sure they will put you through to the police. They are not allowed to make that decision for you. Once you are connected to the service you have to wait for the BT operator to read back the phone number of the caller and the registered address of the line if it's land line.

I think you did do the right thing to ring for the emergency services ... definitely the police and poss an ambulance ... that's for them to decide.

The hysterical Dr was poss drunk or thinking of her no claims discount going up the shoot!

I expect you weren't the only person who phoned.

Also, it's also uncommon to see a crash that serious in a car park, so I would suspect the driver had likely had a medical emergency causing them to lose control of their car.

I’d be really upset too, I get people react differently to stressful situations but it’s not like the doctor was walking around in scrubs, you weren’t to know and it’s better to be safe than sorry in those types of situations. You were doing what you thought was right and I think it was a huge overreaction on the doctor’s part. I’m not sure what I’d do in that situation but I don’t think you did the wrong thing by trying to help. I hope you’re okay, have a sugary cup of tea (helps calm nerves) and distract yourself with some Christmas shopping 😊

In the gentlest possible way - you asked Did I do the right thing in dialling emergency services? so when people are saying no, you should have assessed the situation first because it may not have been necessary, you are responding with I dont feel like I overreacted. I assume you just wanted everyone to tell you that you did the right thing?

You’re shaken and no wonder! And the woman who shouted at you was rude (probably stressed herself). But yes - next time I think you need to pause a minute and work out what is needed before you get straight on the phone to 999 and tie up a line when it might not be required.

To inform everyone, there are now 2 ambulances and a first responder on scene. Thank you all for your responses.

Bloody hell, I'd have hoped a doctor would remain calm under pressure!

@instatwat

I appreciate what you're saying. I said "I dont feel I overreacted" after collecting my nerves and reading everyone's response.
Thanks for your reply however 😊