Accident while chasing

[Stan Rose]

I figure ill post this as a cautionary tale. Was chasing in SW OK yesterday--stayed south cause i intended to catch the eclipse in TX today (now im missing it, cloudy here...) As i was pulling out of a gas station heading south on 183 in Clinton, i got hit on my drivers side by a car headed north. Split my head open and busted my finger. Was put in the ambulance while golfball hail fell on me. Spent the night at Clinton hospital and they stapled my head but i need to find an orthopedist for my finger. Im stuck in a hotel in clinton while i figure out how im getting out of here and if my car is repairable. This really sucks, i waited all year for my annual vacation and this is how it starts and ends. Don't let it happen to you--be super careful especially in bad conditions.

 

[Mark Blue]

I'm sorry to hear it isn't going well for you Stan as I'm sure you had hopes for a better chasecation than a car wreck, but I'm glad to hear you weren't injured more seriously than what did happen. Do you need any assistance with getting back to Pueblo? If there's anything we can do to help coordinate getting you out of there just let us know.

 

[Skip Talbot]

Sorry to hear that, Stan. Hope you are back on your feet and rolling soon. Let us know if there is anything we can for you, I'm sure if one of us is in the area we could pitch in.

 

[Sean Ramsey]

Stan if you need anything let me know, I live here in town and will help you out however possible.

 

[Stan Rose]

Hey, thanks guys, i knew this was a supportive group and i much appreciate the support! Sean--ill send you a PM

 

[Jeff Snyder]

Stan -- was this a little bit after sunset? We passed an accident on US 213 a mile or two S of I40 near a gas station on the south side of Clinton, and emergency vehicles were on scene. We were experiencing very heavy rain and 0.5-1" hail at the time. All of us in the truck remarked how crummy of a situation it was given the weather conditions. Regardless of whether that was you that we passed (it sounds like), I'm sorry to hear that you were involved in a collision!

 

[Stan Rose]

Thanks Jeff-yep that was me!

 

[Bob Hartig]

Stan, what a heck of a way to start off your chase vacation. I'm sorry to hear it but glad that Sean is there for you and confident that others in this community who are close by will step in to help as needed. Please keep us posted as you're able.

 

[Bob Schafer]

I'm really sorry to hear that, Stan. I hope your wounds heal well and quickly. I was involved in a no-injuries accident whilst chasing in 2001, but it destroyed my car. There's probably nothing I can do to help you out, but since our homes aren't too far from one another let me know if you think of something I can do.

 

[Bob Hartig]

Stan, I don't know if Jason Persoff's free medical care hotline for storm chasers would be helpful to you, but in any case, it can't hurt to remind forum members of its existence. It's extremely gracious of Jason to offer his services in this manner.

 

[James Langford]

Real sorry to hear that Stan. I hope you are able to get patched up quickly. On a somewhat seperate but related note, we were parked near a tour group (2 vans) just south of Weatherford on highway 54. Just after dark several ambulances pulled up to that group to assist someone with them. Not sure what was going on, but I hope it was nothing serious.

 

[Laura Duchesne]

Stan, I am really sorry to hear about your injuries and vehicle, I hope you heal up quickly and see you out chasing again soon.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Sorry to hear Stan, glad you are OK. It happened to me in 2003, thankfully it was not serious.

 

[Mike Darling]

Stan, I'm really sorry to hear that. My wife and I were in an accident about a year and a half ago, although it wasn't chasing related. She hit her head on the window, and was taken by ambulance as well.

Wanted to mention that it's common for injuries to go unnoticed for a few days until after an accident.

Also, if your insurance company or the other driver's insurance company speaks to you on the phone, assume it's being recorded, and be careful what you say. At least here in Michigan, all the auto companies are awful towards the insured, and will use those recordings against you. I'd even recommend talking to an attorney before speaking with either insurance company, but if that's not possible, just be careful!

 

[Paul Knightley]

Stan - Helen and I were so shocked to read this, having just met you hours before whilst the storms were initiating near Vici. We actually got to that gas station to shelter under the awning from the hail and saw the emergency services on scene already. We (like Jeff) commented on how awful it must be to be in that situation, especially in the midst of a severe thunderstorm. At first we didn't even realise that there were still people in the cars.

We saw someone get taken out on a spinal board (not sure whether that was you), but of course at the time we had no idea who it was. When we read this we were honestly shocked to realise it was you - I really hope you're on the mend.

It was great to meet you and I hope we meet again some time.

Paul.