Jess' Blog

Oblivious to the plans my mother had made to celebrate my 18th Birthday, feeling somewhat determined, I made my own plans to go hiking with a close friend of mine, Andrew. Although I was at the height of sickness with the wide and fast-spreading flu, I was determined not to let the “Happy” slip out of my birthday. And I never gave up that attitude.

My day began at 5:30am. I woke to the sound of my alarm. My head was aching, my whole body felt hot and heavy. My chest felt like it was burning, so did my eyes. My cough felt like someone was karate-chopping my throat and my voice was terribly hoarse. It was a burden to speak. Nevertheless, I was eager to attend Seminary. I love the words of Isaiah. I couldn’t miss this lesson at Seminary.
I arrived at Seminary at around 6:25am. The Seminary class ran as per usual. They sang “Happy Happy Birthday” to me, gave me a witty birthday card, which they had all written beautiful and somewhat humorous messages in. Seminary finished as per usual. Jack Prebble gave me a birthday present before I left the chapel. It was a brown leather-style photo album. The message he wrote on the inside cover really touched me. It was the first present of the day and I loved it.
Mum sent me a text message asking what I was doing for my birthday. I replied explaining what I had planned; a hike with Andrew up Marion’s Peak at Cradle Mountain. She called. I was soon to discover she had planned a special surprise day out for me! Full of pampering (massages, luxury lunches, movies) and a surprise birthday dinner (with a big birthday banner, poppers, expensive cakes, balloons and more!) was too good to pass up. After all the effort that the family was putting into this special day for me, how could I have said “no”? I cancelled the hike with Andrew. He didn’t mind so much and graciously understood.
It was 8:20am. I had to pack some clothes and toiletries for the weekend ahead, get myself ready and presentable to be in public and leave as soon as possible, seeing as I had to arrive in Deloraine by 9:00am to leave for this grand-planned day. I left Launceston at 8:40am. Driving at 80km/hr, there was no possible way of arriving in Deloraine by 9:00am. I told mum this. But I drove on anyway.

I was driving along the ‘Old Highway’ heading to Home, in Deloraine. I was just moments outside of Hagley. Rounding a corner on the top of the hill, I guess in the haze of sickness I was driving too close to the edge of the road.
I vividly recall the next 3 minutes. They replay over and over in my mind. I glanced down for only one second. But that was all it took. The front left tire grumbled on the gravel alongside the road. In a reflex action I jerked the wheel right – too quickly.
After a whole day and night of solid, heavy rain, the road was wet and slippery. I drifted along the highway over into the other lane. I turned the wheel again in an attempt to get into the lane I was supposed to be in. The car slid on the slippery road and fishtailed. The back left tire hit the gravel on the side of the road and gripped, only slightly, but it was enough.
It was at this point that I knew I was powerless to change what was about to happen. I don’t know how I knew what to do, but I got the instinctive feeling to push against the steering wheel and pin myself against my seat, stay calm, and don’t tense up.
And that’s exactly what I did.
I heard the seatbelt lock me into place.
The car flipped up the side of the blank. It rolled in the air.
I watched the world spin upside down.
I looked out the front window screen at an upside down paddock scene over on the opposite side of the road, the road I was supposed to be on.
It hit the bank on the passenger side of the car, rolled again on the ground. I watched the grass and dirt pierce through the glass.
It rolled 3 times in total before stopping.
I watched the splintering, glittering mess of glass, dirt and grass exploding around me. It was like being in a tumble dryer with glass and dirt.
I felt the roof bump down on my head as it rolled the first time.
I remember every roll.
Its true what they say, you know... When its happening, you percieve it in slow-motion. It only took three minutes but it went slowly.
When the car finally stopped rolling, I was upside down. I was still holding the steering wheel. I was still sitting in my seat. The CD player was still playing Leona Lewis’ song Homeless. The car was still running. Everything was as it usually would be if I’d just parked the car –only it was crushed and it was upside-down. I turned the CD player off with the remote. I turned the ignition off. I unclipped my seatbelt and crawled out of the smashed window. It was a tight fit. I cut my hand and hip on the glass.
The nose of the car was poking over the side of the bank, covering half of the lane on the highway, the rest of the car was in the ditch before the bank.

I wasn’t afraid. I wasn’t shocked.
The moment I lost control of the car, I just accepted that this was happening to me and dealt with it as it happened. Why fight what was inevitably happening to you?

I sat on the road, looking back at the crushed hole I’d crawled out of. I looked at the mangled car and thought, ‘Dad is going to be so mad at me. I’m in so much trouble right now’. My next thought was, “Well if I’m thinking this than I must be ok. What did I learn to do next? That’s right, check if I’m hurt” I checked myself over, I seemed to be fine. Nothing was hurting.

I stood up to find my phone amongst the rubble, to call 000. I knew what to do. It was at the time I stood up and collected my phone that Amanda Cox pulled up in her Ute and told me to stay calm and sit down. “Stop walking around” she kept telling me. She called 000.

I took advantage of this, and raced off and picked up my phone.
By this time many people had began to pull over to help out.
I just wanted someone to let me call mum and tell her what happened, but they all kept telling me to “Keep still”, “Stay calm”, etc...
To everyone’s surprise, I was not in shock.
More to their surprise, I was alive.
There were people rushing around me everywhere. There were so many nice people, genuinely concerned about me.
I was ushered to Amanda’s Ute. I had a towel wrapped around me. Lisa Colgrave gave it to me. Sally Cowan knew first aid and gave me a check over. She kept on checking my eyes. She was amazed that I wasn’t in shock.
Sherry Fisher was directing traffic.
I called mum. She thought I was joking when I said, “Hey Mum? Ahh, I’ve just had a car crash. The car’s a wreck. They keep saying its a miracle I’m alive...” Amanda Cox, Sherry Fisher and Sally Cowan were all shaking their heads and frantically signing for me not to tell her that! I laughed at all their gestures. Mum thought I was joking. Sally took the phone off me and reasonably explained to mum what was happening.
The next 2 hours were a mess of questions and different varieties of people coming and going.
The volunteer fire-fighters were first of the ‘officials’ to arrive on the scene. The medical guy of the group came over to the Ute and gave me the check-over. He was amazed at how well I was dealing with it all. I was making jokes and chatting with the random, various people who were around.
Like I said before, I wasn’t afraid and I wasn’t in shock.
I remember Gary, the Ambulance driver/ Medic. He checked so many different things. He kept looking at my eyes over and over again, amazed that I was dealing with this so heartily. His diagnosis was, “You’ll have a few bruises and scratches…” He looked at the car and then looked at me, “You’re a very lucky girl. It’s a miracle you’re even alive, let alone walking away with only a few scratches and bruises”.

I heard that phrase so many times that day.
“It’s a miracle”
And it was.

The Policeman was the last of the ‘officials’ to arrive. He had to come from Evandale! (Poor guy - that would’ve been a pretty irritating drive). After questioning, he was talking to mum. Later Mum tells me the Copper was explaining just how amazing it was that I was alive… I’d missed any Large rocks hidden in the bank, crashed in between two of the telephone poles, cleared the fence, there were no other cars on the road at the time and I had no passengers.
Somewhere amongst the mess of people, Amanda had got a huge white bag and began collecting up some of the scattered papers, clothing, etc.
Before the tow-man came, Bekah and I were given that large white bag. We had to gather up the scattered contents of the car.
I can’t quite describe the experience of crawling into a upturned, crushed car to pick up clothes, shoes, makeup, CD’s, books, paper, etc.
When the Tow-man came and turned the car over. It was clear just how much of a miracle it really was. The whole front and top of the car was crushed in everywhere except for a slight spot on the drivers side, where my head was. The cop said he’d never seen anything like it, it was amazing to him.
The tow-man looked at the car and in bewilderment looked at me, shaking his head in disbelief. Later, at the wrecking yard, the wrecker and the tow-man explained to mum that they’ve seen cars in far less worse conditions where the drivers hadn’t survived. And judging by the state of the car they both told mum: it’s a miracle I am alive.

After everyone had left the scene, only dad, mum, Bekah and myself were there on the side of the road. Then a thought hit me. I frantically scurried through the contents of the white bag. I had to find Jack’s present. I was distraught that it could potentially be ruined. I found it. It was in perfect condition. I was relieved.

I arrived in Launceston at around 11:20am. Mum dropped me off at the Terry’s Home where I’ve been boarding all year, while she and Bekah went to sort out registration and wrecking, etc.
I had to pick glass out of my body in the shower. It stung a little.

Belinda Terry looked after me. She kept me warm, gave me soup and hot chocolate. Talked to me, kept me busy. It was what I needed.

At around 3:30pm, we went to watch Kayla’s last netball game on Hobbler’s Bridge road. It was then that the emotional rollercoaster hit me. One moment I was numb, the next I was fine, the next I was tearful and then the cycle would repeat itself. But I was still determined to have a “Happy” Birthday.
I still wanted a special birthday dinner. The only issue with this was I couldn’t make decisions. I’d say yes to a suggestion, and then moments later change my mind. I still can’t seem to get my head straight.
I just don’t care about whether or not we eat tea at home or eat tea at a Thai restaurant; I’m just amazed I’m alive. I don’t care if we have Starburst Lollies or Naturals Confec. Co. Lollies for my very late and random birthday dinner; I just want to enjoy being alive because I very nearly wasn’t.

Dinner ended up being steamed vegetables (Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots, Asparagus), mashed Sweet Potato, and fish (Smoked Blue Grenadier, and Salmon Cutlets). My birthday cake was a cookie-dough centre, caramel fudge droplet ice-cream cake with a chocolate coating. It was delicious.

My birthday present from the family was an opal necklace. It’s beautiful. The family card was beautiful too. They had such sweet messages in it. It made me cry [happy/ grateful cry].

There were random messages and phone calls to/from many loved ones (friends, as well as family). A memorable phone call of the night was from the Launceston East/West YSA. They called my home and sang “Happy Birthday”, the moment I knew it was them [how could anyone mistake Dale Prebble’s booming voice?] I turned them on loudspeaker so my whole family could hear. It made me laugh. Tears kept swelling in my eyes. It’s a beautiful feeling to know so many people care. For this, I am very grateful.

A Special “Thank You” To…:

*Mum: You came when I needed you. Your unfailing love and devotion for your children has always shown. In you I can always trust and I KNOW you will always be there for me, no matter what! Thanks for always looking after me, thanks for holding onto me. I needed it. I love you.

*Dad: Thank you for not being mad at me, even though I totalled your car…

*Bekah: Thanks for helping me ‘pick up the pieces’. I dunno where I’d be without you sis. You’re my rock!

*The Ambo’s, the Firemen, the Policeman, Amanda Cox, Sally Cowan, Sherry Fisher, Lisa Colgrave (I’ll return your towel soon), and all other people who stopped and expressed concern.

*Aunty Belinda: You kept me warm, fed and busy. Thanks for looking after me.

*Andrew Beer: I’d be a lost cause without you in my life. You are the truest friend I’ve ever known. Thank you for everything you’ve ever done for me (and you’ve done so much). Love you to bits!

*Dale: I’m grateful that you could put up with my hopeless sobbing and hoarse voice over the phone. Thanks for being there for me when I needed you most, even if it was just to talk it out.

*Lisa Prebble: Your concern and compassion means a lot to me. Thank you for always caring.

*The Launceston East/West Young Single Adults and Kelvin & Annette Clark: Although your singing abilities may need just a little work, your effort to make my birthday a little better really touched me. You put a smile on my face and made me laugh. Thank you all!

*Thank you to ALL who have expressed concern and offered help. I appreciate it.