Finding out about the victim of a serious accident?

[RooRooCooChoo]

Apologies if this is the wrong place to ask this.

I recently witnessed a very serious road traffic accident. I have had first aid training (quite a while ago!) and so administered first aid until paramedics arrived and took control of the scene. The police attended and took my a statement.

The whole event was pretty shocking and gory but as the memories start to settle I am left with a lot of concern for the victim. I would like to know what happened to her.

Is there a mechanism through which I can find out? Are the police likely to contact me following (what I sincerely hope is) a non-fatal accident? Can I call them and ask? And will they even know this soon after the incident?

I doubt they'd tell you any personal information like that, but you could try.

You’re probably right. Obviously I know it’s not about me at all, but I’m finding the intrusive flashbacks of the accident and aftermath quite hard to deal with and wonder if it might all recede a bit if I could find out if she survived. Thanks for the comment though.

Do you know the persons name? I’ve seen people being found after things like this on social media

I only got her first name, which was very common (as in, frequently used). But worth a try I suppose. Thanks

If you know what hospital she went to you could ring there, they won’t give you any info but they might at least tell you if she survived or not. Or yes, call the police, again they’ll not give any more info but I think they’d at least say if she was alive. Regarding the flashbacks - do go to your GP, you sound like you need some trauma therapy for PTSD. Or go private if you can afford it. Thankyou for all you did

Thank you for your concern. I’m honestly fine. The flashbacks are fading in intensity and reducing in frequency. I can feel the narrative “settling” if you will. I suppose I’d just like to avoid always wondering what happened to her. Maybe I’ll try the police on Monday.

I found details about the incident in a local newspaper when this happened to me.

Not to be too morbid, but I'd assume a fatality would have been reported in the local press.

I was in a serious accident when I was younger, the hospital staff mentioned that people who had been involved/witnessed had rang them a few times to check if I was okay, but that they couldn’t say anything. I told them to tell them I was fine, but they maintained that they couldn’t.

I remember thinking in my addled state how pointless it was that they told me this.

I think you are more likely to be able to read about it if there is a serious outcome. No news is good news, usually.

Cross-post, this

The police might agree to pass your details to the victim/their family if you ask. They won't be able to give you any information though.

Ok, thanks for this everyone. I think I’ll go with the no news = good news approach and try to put it out of my mind. Knowing that the information isn’t out there waiting for me to find it is very helpful.

As you were a witness, I would assume you will be contacted to provide a statement to the police. Maybe, you could find out more information then.

I gave a statement at the scene, but not sure if that will be it.

I helped at the scene of an accident and had to give a police statement. I have been informed of the fact that the driver pleaded guilty to charges and will be sentenced.

To find out how the passenger, who was badly injured, was doing, I had to rely on friends of friends etc telling me vague details. It was local so not hard to get an idea of how she's doing but I don't know exact details.

The police wouldn't divulge any details, although it was obvious by the charges that she hadn't died, otherwise he'd have been charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Fatalities will nearly always be reported in the press and / or on the 'news ticker' on the police force's website.
If you witnessed the accident taking place (as opposed to just being first on the scene), it's also possible that the police would need to take a further statement from you for the coroner if the person involved in the accident subsequently died.

I was in a similar situation last year (as a witness to an incident that led to a fatality) - the flashbacks took about 2-3 weeks to subside and now, 6 months on, I don't really suffer them at all. My daily commute takes me past the scene (no alternative route) and although this was very difficult initially, I think that being at the scene everyday helped me to process what happened and come to terms with things).

Do you know what police station attended the scene. Obviously they won't give personal details but Im sure they could let you know if the person survived their injuries. It's a difficult thing to go through and when you are involved it's not like on tv where everyone just goes off again without giving it a further thought. My aunt was in a very serious accident (thankfully fine now) and a young employee of a neighbouring business ran out and helped her and he was more traumatised in the coming weeks than my aunt was as it was a blur to her.

The police might give you an update. I have a witness statements before and I remember having to confirm it a few times. The police updated me when things were going to court as I might need to attend. The perpetrator pled guilty so I didn’t. I got a letter in the post with the outcome from the police.

Thank you for these subsequent posts. @elevenplusdilemma I am in a very similar situation and, you’re right, passing the scene twice a day has forced me to process it all directly. Replaying it has dulled it.

I really appreciate all the suggestions and am sorry for all those with similar experiences. Wishing you all well.