27th February 2015, 13:51
| #46 |
| Team-BHP Support   Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Madras
Posts: 7,341
Thanked: 20,691 Times
| Re: Team-BHP Meet @ Mamallapuram: 21/22 February, 2015 Ah I see that Raaj had also attended the meet. Hope he had shared his amazing experience with the VW Polo Cup with you folks.  |
|
|
28th February 2015, 17:24
| #47 |
| BHPian  Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Punya Nagari
Posts: 195
Thanked: 933 Times
| |
|
|
|
2nd March 2015, 12:14
| #48 |
| BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bangalore
Posts: 361
Thanked: 35 Times
| |
|
|
|
5th March 2015, 09:35
| #49 | |
| BHPian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Munich
Posts: 352
Thanked: 244 Times
| Re: Team-BHP Meet @ Mamallapuram: 21/22 February, 2015 Quote:
| |
|
|
|
8th March 2015, 16:33
| #50 |
| Distinguished - BHPian   Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore
Posts: 5,194
Thanked: 10,178 Times
| Re: Team-BHP Meet @ Mamallapuram: 21/22 February, 2015 Hello All, This is the summary of the meet for me. It was a fantastic overnight trip and would have been the best TBHP drive for me(if not for the accident). The resort is absolutely beautiful and even though it's quite expensive, I can say it was worth it for me. The weather was also very pleasant. The drive to Mamallapuram was a bit tiresome but nothing too bad. The accident occurred in front of the L&T factory near Kanchipuram. I was cruising at around 80-85 kmph (estimated as I dont keep tracking the speedo). The road was narrow and just 2 lanes. Alan Parson's Project playing on the stereo and all in all I was happy to be where I was. Then all of a sudden, a swift in front of me braked hard and I instantly stood on my brakes. The distance started to grow until I heard a thud and saw something flying over the Swift to the left side of the road. The Swift had become 100% stationary and I ended up ramming the Swift from the rear. Thankfully, I was at a slow speed and the sudden braking had slowed me down further. My car didnt suffer any structural damage and hence, the airbags also didnt deploy. I was perfectly fine and moved my neck around to check for any injuries but nothing. I went to the Swift and saw the driver sitting in shock looking at the road ahead. His daughter in the passenger seat and his wife in the rear seat. None of these 3 people were wearing seatbelts. I tried to open the passenger door to check on them but it was jammed due to the structural damage. I managed to pry it open a bit and enquired if they were ok in my broken Tamil and English. They seemed fine. The man eventually came out and started yelling at me that it wasnt his fault and a cow had run onto the road. I had seen the whole thing happen so I didnt blame him and calmed him down. After that, he was quite cooperative as he realised I didnt have any aims of looting him or blaming him. A little behind me Raaj was driving and he saw me and stopped. Soon, the entire convoy stopped to help me. I can say this was just an amazing sight. All my friends, my driving partners and my buddies queued up by the side of the road to make sure I was ok. I was a little shaken up looking at the damage and realising I wouldnt be able to drive. I also dont know Tamil and if I was alone I would have been a nervous wreck. These TBHP guys immediately surrounded me. We checked the car and realised the Radiator has been broken. So, no chance of driving the remaining 200+ kms to Bangalore. Mohan(tilt) and Raaj immediately took over and spoke to the other driver and helped me out. The other driver and me signed a piece of paper saying that the incident was an accident and we dont blame anyone and have no claims against each other. After almost 1.5 hours, once all the paperwork was settled, everyone left with the exception of Mohan and Ravi (rsudarsanan). They stayed back with me to wait for the Flatbed and drive me back to Bangalore. Pics attached for reference.          The moment they loaded the flatbed onto the truck, my heart just broke. It was physically painful to see my car like that. Now that the car is back, I would like to formally thank everyone even though these bunch of guys are sweet enough to say "No need" Sincere thanks to Mohan for translating everything. He waited with his wife along the side of the road for the flatbed. Constantly on the phone with the flatbed driver giving him directions and keeping me company. He even woke up the next morning early (even though he got home at 2:00 am) to speak to the truck driver and inform me. I have no words to thank him and express my gratitude to him and his wife. Equally sincere thanks to Ravi. We have called him Captain as he has organised many meets in the past. That day I realised Mr. Ravi is truly a captain and a leader. Without any hesitation he decided to stay back with me and ensure I reached home safe and sound. He had come with his daughter and I feel really guilty for making 2 women wait by the side of a National Highway for the flatbed. Both women were very sweet and never once complained. Raaj for being a translator and warning me when the locals were trying to interfere and confuse the Swift driver. He kept his ears open and he kept us updated with all the nonsense the locals were talking. Jayanth, Tillu, Dr. AD, Kiloalpha, KarthikK, Zebo, Rohan Shetty: You guys were awesomely patient and very supportive. Kiloalpha happened to be with his mum and she was also extremely patient waiting by the side of the road with us until we got things sorted out. I of course hope and pray that no such incident occurs to me or any other TBHPian but if it has to, I will also wish that the unfortunate driver has a support team like what I had. Outwardly I was very calm (at least I hope so!) but inside I was quite tense and feeling really guilty for delaying the whole group and especially Ravi and Mohan who reached home around 2:00 am!! Being in TN without any knowledge of Tamil would have been a nightmare for me if not for these guys. |
|
|
|
8th March 2015, 20:06
| #51 | |
| Distinguished - BHPian  | Re: Team-BHP Meet @ Mamallapuram: 21/22 February, 2015 Quote:
I frequent this route on my drives to Chennai and have seen some nasty accidents enroute, though any damage to ones car is heartbreaking I feel the lines I quoted above along with the helpful bunch of TBHPians saved your day. Should like to add, your car looks good as new in the last pic  | |
|
|
|
8th March 2015, 20:57
| #52 | ||
| Senior - BHPian  | Quote:
I would say you are lucky that the swift driver agreed to not pursue this further. No matter what the other driver did , the one who rear ends is always at fault. Drive safe Quote:
How wouid ABS or having wider tires have prevented him from getting rear ended ? Hope you aren't trying to say the civic wouldn't have rear ended the swift if it had wider tyres and ABS in it  Last edited by Samurai : 8th March 2015 at 23:36. | ||
|
|
|
9th March 2015, 09:01
| #53 | |
| BHPian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Munich
Posts: 352
Thanked: 244 Times
| Re: Team-BHP Meet @ Mamallapuram: 21/22 February, 2015 Quote:
| |
|
|
|
9th March 2015, 10:27
| #54 |
| Senior - BHPian  Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Cubicle
Posts: 1,622
Thanked: 3,102 Times
| Re: Team-BHP Meet @ Mamallapuram: 21/22 February, 2015 Couple of bits of trivia on this incident. 1. Notice pics 3 & 8 (attached and annotated) - the point of impact between Nikhil's car and the Swift is evident. 2. Traffic did not slow down for the first 20 minutes after the accident, it continued to flow smoothly. Then, a NHAI pickup truck came along, and parked a few yards behind us, taking a look at what had happened. At that point in time, there was a mini jam, created by people slowing down to take a look! I guess they all saw the NHAI pickup parked on the side and decided that there must be a sight to see  |
|
|
 |
Most Viewed