Drama on the German A4 motorway. On Wednesday evening, just before midnight, a 22-year-old Polish citizen, driving the Ford Transit bus, lost control of the vehicle as a consequence of a alleged second-sleep. A minute of indiscretion led to a series of collisions which had tragic consequences for passengers and paralyzed traffic on an crucial communication artery. The 27-year-old Pole, who fights critically for life in a hospital, was the worst victim.
The accident that occurred behind Gotha is another reminder of the fatal danger of being tired behind the wheel. Emergency services, including fire brigades and a medical helicopter, immediately moved to the scene to assist victims. The A4 motorway towards Dresden was completely blocked for over 2 and a half hours, generating a four-kilometre traffic jam and immense handicaps for drivers.
"One-second dream" – invisible enemy on the road
The phenomenon of "second sleep", besides known as microsenses, is simply a short, involuntary sleep lasting from respective to respective seconds. It is highly dangerous, especially erstwhile driving, as the driver loses control of the situation on the road. According to the findings of the German services, this abrupt failure of consciousness was the direct origin of Wednesday's accident involving the Polish bus.
It takes a fraction of a second for a vehicle, moving at advanced speed, to drive 10 meters without any control. Drivers are frequently unaware that they have fallen asleep or belittle the first symptoms of fatigue, specified as yawning, dense eyelids, or difficulty concentrating. This accident is simply a tragic example of how fast sleep can turn into a disaster, with serious harm and material damage.
The course of a dramatic accident on the German A4
According to detailed service arrangements, a 22-year-old Ford Transit driver, after losing control of the vehicle, has yet to effort a bypass maneuver. Unfortunately, it was besides late. Bus hit the left rear corner of a semitrailer driving in front of it a German truck. The impact force was large adequate that the Polish vehicle was pushed to the left of the highway.
There, with momentum, he hit a steel barrier separating lanes. The wreck of the bus only stopped on the left lane, completely blocking the passage and posing a immense threat to the incoming vehicles. The German truck driver suffered no injuries, but the harm to his semitrailer was significant. The full event took place in a fraction of seconds, confirming how small time there is to respond to microsense.
Tragic consequences: injured Poles and rescue action
The most tragic consequences of the accident affected passengers of the Polish bus. 27-year-old Polish citizen was stuck inside the vehicle and required immediate intervention from the fire department. Rescuers, utilizing specialized hydraulic equipment, had to get an injured man out of the wreckage. His injuries proved serious adequate to decide to transport him to the nearest infirmary by helicopter. presently Pole is in critical conditionAnd the doctors fight for his life.
Two another people who were travelling by bus were besides injured in the accident – both 22-year-old Poles. They were transported to close medical facilities. 1 of them suffered serious injuries, the another was somewhat injured. The driver himself who fell asleep behind the wheel besides suffered injuries and went into medical care. The scale of passenger injuries clearly indicates the impact force and the danger of driving under fatigue.
Highway paralysis and massive financial losses
The consequences of the accident were felt for all travelling on the A4 motorway towards Dresden. The road stayed completely blocked for more than 2 and a half hourswhich caused the formation of a giant four-kilometre-long cork. The movement was redirected to Gotham's node, which further extended travel time and frustration of drivers.
During this time, the emergency services carried out intensive activities – from first aid, by extracting the victims, to removing the wreckage of vehicles and clearing the carriageway from residues and operating fluids. Preliminary estimates of material losses are immense and are EUR 46 000. This is another costly lesson, recalling the crucial function of remainder and awareness of your own limitations during long journeys by car.
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The Pole fell asleep on the A4 motorway. Passenger in critical condition, road blocked