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Original poster

How to thank someone for avoiding a major accident

46 replies

newnamechangeforthisone · 13/06/2023 21:35

My son was hit by a bus yesterday, he's ok, escaped with minor injuries and severe concussion. Was a case of my child's brakes failing and he came down the hill and off the pavement and onto the bus. The bus drivers reactions must have been pretty instant given how close he came to being under that tyre. I didn't get to really speak to him as he was being interviewed by police and air ambulance arrived and we had to leave.

How do you thank someone for not running your child over? He must have had a huge shock! Poor man.

OP posts:
MeinKraft · 13/06/2023 21:37

Not making a complaint to the police will be gift enough, but you could speak to his employer and make it clear how grateful you are to the driver for his quick reaction,

wlapsbnm · 13/06/2023 21:39

MeinKraft · 13/06/2023 21:37

Not making a complaint to the police will be gift enough, but you could speak to his employer and make it clear how grateful you are to the driver for his quick reaction,

What would she complain about to the police, didn't sound like the bus driver was at fault in any way 🤷‍♀️

Newnamefor2021 · 13/06/2023 21:40

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

johnnydeppsslipper · 13/06/2023 21:42

What a refreshing thing to read @newnamechangeforthisone

I hope your son is ok and has got over the shock bless him and you of course

I would try to get hold of the bus company and maybe send an email and ask that your details be sent to the driver as you would like to thank him for his quick reactions etc.

That kind of near miss can completely derail a driver and I have seen first hand the guilt it can eat at someone so contact from yourself would probably make the world of difference to the driver right now.

Keep us updated on if you manage to find him

Original poster
newnamechangeforthisone · 13/06/2023 21:43

@wlapsbnm Exactly. He has absolutely no blame and frankly even if he did, I think he's pretty amazing to have handled that bus and the situation so quickly. It was just an accident by my son. Bus driver was amazing.

OP posts:
wlapsbnm · 13/06/2023 21:45

I'd send a thank you card to the bus company.

Original poster
newnamechangeforthisone · 13/06/2023 21:48

johnnydeppsslipper · 13/06/2023 21:42

What a refreshing thing to read @newnamechangeforthisone

I hope your son is ok and has got over the shock bless him and you of course

I would try to get hold of the bus company and maybe send an email and ask that your details be sent to the driver as you would like to thank him for his quick reactions etc.

That kind of near miss can completely derail a driver and I have seen first hand the guilt it can eat at someone so contact from yourself would probably make the world of difference to the driver right now.

Keep us updated on if you manage to find him

Absolutely. Will do. I've heard via the grapevine that he is in shock and off work, which is unsurprising really, id hope he was at least given some time off to digest it, not sure how exactly accurate things are because there are just as many rumours my son was in a body bag but given the sheer volume of emergency services it's not surprising either.

It was a horrific scene, even the police and ambulance staff said so, so it must have been so awful for him being questioned and having other people interviewed around him about what their saw. They have CCTV and police said he was very quick to react. Also said it was terrible watch. I really feel for him as everyone is so shaken, I can't image how he feels and he won't know the outcome.

OP posts:
Hellocatshome · 13/06/2023 21:49

Contact the bus company and ask them to pass on your thanks and an update on how your DS is doing. FIL is a bus driver and unfortunately hit someone through no fault of his own it was not knowing how the person was doing/how injured they were that caused him the most distress.

Original poster
newnamechangeforthisone · 13/06/2023 21:49

MeinKraft · 13/06/2023 21:37

Not making a complaint to the police will be gift enough, but you could speak to his employer and make it clear how grateful you are to the driver for his quick reaction,

There wouldn't be a reason to make a complaint and even if there was I wouldn't, it was an accident, driver was fantastic from what I understand, it could have easily been so much worse if it wasn't for that man.

OP posts:
wildfirewonder · 13/06/2023 21:53

I would let a bit of time pass for now and focus on the shock and your son.

Also you do not actually know whether the bus company think he did everything right. If you still want to in a bit you can send a card but just for now focus on the priorities.

TheFallenMadonna · 13/06/2023 21:54

How are you?

Careerdilemma · 13/06/2023 21:55

Personally I'd contact the bus co pay straight away to put the poor man out his misery wondering how your son is and whether you blame him. I'm sure it will make a great difference to his mental state to know.

Original poster
newnamechangeforthisone · 13/06/2023 21:56

wildfirewonder · 13/06/2023 21:53

I would let a bit of time pass for now and focus on the shock and your son.

Also you do not actually know whether the bus company think he did everything right. If you still want to in a bit you can send a card but just for now focus on the priorities.

I feel a huge amount of responsibility for the man's distress. I don't really care if the bus company think he did everything right because frankly his reactions saved my sons life.

OP posts:
SixOClock · 13/06/2023 21:58

Lovely thread. I'm glad your son is OK and good luck finding him OP.

autieawesome · 13/06/2023 21:58

I'd contact the company and ask to send a card. They won't give his address obviously but should pass it on

Original poster
newnamechangeforthisone · 13/06/2023 22:00

TheFallenMadonna · 13/06/2023 21:54

How are you?

Shocked! It was awful. When I arrived at the "scene" I had no idea what to expect, I thought he has just fallen off his scooter and possibly broke an arm or something, but I knew that the boy he was with was crying and distressed. When I turned the corner and saw all the people, police and ambulances with blue lights and then the bus i honesty thought he was dead. I live in a lovely community and people grabbed he as I felt my knees go and got me to him to show he was alive. It was awful.

Everyone was shaking, really sense of dread but thankfully he's ok. Lots of cuddles and monitoring but he should be fine.

OP posts:
greenstrawberry · 13/06/2023 22:00

Yes, contact sooner rather than later. Send a card and maybe even include your contact details in case he'd like to chat to you for some closure and reassurance that your son is ok (if you feel you could deal with it!). I would think your swift contact would help him feel a lot better sooner rather than later.

Original poster
newnamechangeforthisone · 13/06/2023 22:02

Careerdilemma · 13/06/2023 21:55

Personally I'd contact the bus co pay straight away to put the poor man out his misery wondering how your son is and whether you blame him. I'm sure it will make a great difference to his mental state to know.

Will do, police are going to give me his name and bus details etc, I suspect they need to check it's ok? Not sure. But as soon as I do I'll contact them. Although thinking of it, there probably isn't that many incidents that they wouldn't know if I explained what happened.

OP posts:
FuckStonewall · 13/06/2023 22:03

MeinKraft · 13/06/2023 21:37

Not making a complaint to the police will be gift enough, but you could speak to his employer and make it clear how grateful you are to the driver for his quick reaction,

What?

wildfirewonder · 13/06/2023 22:04

newnamechangeforthisone · 13/06/2023 21:56

I feel a huge amount of responsibility for the man's distress. I don't really care if the bus company think he did everything right because frankly his reactions saved my sons life.

Show quote history

You have no responsibility at all.

I understand you are shocked but I think you need to try to focus on your actual responsibilities - your son and yourself.

Take some deep breaths and just let your system process the shock.

You are flailing, understandably, but that man has his own family and friends to care for him.

BitOutOfPractice · 13/06/2023 22:07

Glad your boy is ok op.

a bus driver once did me a really good turn (not as dramatic as you but he acted as a witness in a case I was involved in). When it was all settled I took a card and some chocolates and a few beers ti the bus station and asked them to pass it on which they did.

Original poster
newnamechangeforthisone · 13/06/2023 22:15

@wildfirewonder - I don't think worrying about someone else's welfare impacts or negates the responsibility I have to myself and my son. I am focused on my son, but that doesn't mean I can't feel for someone else's situation too.

OP posts:
qlpeom · 13/06/2023 22:17

newnamechangeforthisone · 13/06/2023 22:15

@wildfirewonder - I don't think worrying about someone else's welfare impacts or negates the responsibility I have to myself and my son. I am focused on my son, but that doesn't mean I can't feel for someone else's situation too.

I agree with you OP, if someone had just saved my kids life I'd want to thank them too

Jifmicroliquid · 13/06/2023 22:24

I’d definitely let the bus company know your son is ok, so they can let the driver know. He must be in a right state of shock about it and it might help him deal with it a bit easier if he knows your son is going to be ok.
I hope you are ok too, what a dreadful shock you have had aswell x

MeinKraft · 13/06/2023 22:25

@wlapsbnm I know that, but some people will still try and get a claim in.