This is a very raw post, since something tragic just occurred and I wanted to capture it and my emotions as quickly and as accurately as possible.
I’m currently in a beach side apartment in Mauritius (haven’t had time to post about the last city in South Africa yet), and a gentleman passed by with the rental car I’ll be using for the next 5 days.
After the car’s inspection and explanation, he asked to be driven to the bus stop, and we passed by the gas station on the way there. Along the route back, there was a stopped taxi, hazard lights flashing. Thinking he was picking up or dropping off a fare, I started to go around him when I saw a man lying still on the road. Pedestrians were gathering as I reversed the car to a safe position and put on my hazards.
It was clear this hit and run occurred just moments before and everyone was in shock. I remained calm and took action; walking over to the body, I saw someone on the phone and asked (in my poor French) whether he called the police. He said yes.
A lady was caressing the fallen man, trying to comfort him while holding back her tears. I told her to step back, that she could inadvertently make the situation worse by touching or moving him. I also setup a small perimeter around him.
Further examining the area, I noticed a smashed vodka bottle on the road, and based on the man’s clothes and appearance, gathered he was a drunk. His eyes were closed and he was unresponsive, his body convulsing in shock. I looked deeply at him for several long seconds, watching two small streams of blood leak from his head.
There was nothing I could do for him, so I stood up and started directing traffic around the site. Interesting, and sadly, one driver was bitching about the situation, as if his night had been ruined by the delay.
Once the police arrived and took ownership, I returned to the car and drove home. It was only then did I start to tear and become short of breath.
When I was younger, I was afraid of death. The thought external blackness scared me profoundly. I was able to overcome this fear with a rational thought; I had been dead for billions of years before I was born, and when dead, I won’t be aware of the fact.
We each need to face our death alone, but hopefully this man’s life didn’t end tonight.
Update: The local news reported he died 🙁
