Last Saturday my daughter and her family (including her 2 & 4 year old) were rear-ended in lane 3 of the M42. They were slowing down as traffic speed fell to 50-60. A van whacked into them from behind going about 60-70. A further car ran into the van but my daughter’s partner brought the Vitara to a safe halt without hitting anything in front. The car is a write off but the rear crumple zone and child seats did their stuff. It was the only vehicle involved that could still move, albeit very noisily, under its own steam to get a safe, short distance from the wreckage behind.

Even a week later they are a bit hazy on the after accident details as they were shaken up. Recovery came after an hour or so probably summoned by their I-phone crash detection service which contacted a call centre. They weren’t aware of any 999 attendance meantime. Until recovery they remained in the car but protected by the two other damaged vehicles that were some yards back and traffic was also down to a crawl so, although very worrying for us to the end of a phone line, they were reasonably safe and warm in the freezing temperatures. Luckily it was daylight.

What was striking was the concern and help from other drivers who were not involved in the actual crash. In particular a Morrison’s female van driver stopped and stayed on site for around an hour keeping them calm. Another driver offered to take them to the services but they preferred to await the recovery service who duly dropped them at Tamworth Services from where we picked them up a couple of hours later.

If I had been passing a motorway accident scene, too late to be a witness, I’d not have stopped to help. I’d assume it was best left to the professionals. It just reminds you that the anonymous drivers around you on include some selfless people.