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TOMMY47's avatar
TOMMY47
Explorer
Aug 14, 2015

STRANGE OCCURRANCE

A horse stepped in front of my van camper, right in front of me. I began to swerve and brake but hit its head at about 50mph.
I felt the impact. However, my next memory was the smell of smoke in the van. I was puzzled because I didn't believe the van was burning based on the type of impact. Turns out the airbags deployed and were smoking.
Here's what's strange. I did not see the airbags deploy. They didn't reach me because I sit far back. I also drove out of the swerve and safely onto the shoulder of the road. I also have no recollection of that. I could not have been unconscious. Airbags deploy in 80 milliseconds or so. I'm also not sure how long I was sitting in the van before I noticed the smoke.
Also had a red, swollen welt on my left wrist which disappeared later that day.
Anyone have a clue where that memory is hiding and how I was able to very successfully bring the van to a stop? I'll consider almost anything as plausible.
BTW, the horse didn't survive.

46 Replies

  • coolbreeze01 wrote:
    Sorry for the horse. Did you have to pay for it?
    Typical American response whom seem to show more care for animals than they do for humans. Who cares what happened to the horse?
  • Glad you're okay.


    Endorphins are probably the answer to why you don't remember it all. Your brain is capable of doing things we don't even understand yet
  • Oh, btw, sorry about your camper and the horse as well. But glad the bump on your wrist is all you got out of it. Coulda been much worse.
  • Yeah, when the bag hit you in the face, the blow blanked your memory. If you sit so far back the bag couldn't hit you, it was the shock wave from having it waved in your face. Blows to the head do that to people.

    It wasn't enough to knock you out, but it was stunning enough.

    The welt on your left wrist is probably where your wrist hit your head. If your left hand was above about 9 o'clock on the wheel, the air bag probably blew your hand into your head.
  • Suggest you see a doctor immediately. May have head damage that you don't realize. Could have a stroke at any time. Don't drive till you are checked by a doctor.

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