Rode through bad accident scene - glass in tires.

[mojobreakfast]

I figured I'd take a quick spin today just around the local streets. Saw a few bikes out, including a yellow dual sport which rode beside/behind me for a few miles along the shore in Swampscott and Lynn. Then I peeled off and headed out over the causeway to Nahant.

About 4/5ths of the way across the guy in front of me begins braking pretty hard. Looking around him, there was a Mercury Mountaineer pointing right towards us, facing the wrong way... this ain't right

As I slowed to a stop it and soaked in the scene it was apparent I was facing a catastrophic and serious accident that had just occured. In the distance about 50+ yards beyond the Mountaineer (which had apparently rolled?) was a car that appeared to have been run over by a tank and a huge field of debris between the two vehicles; glass, plastic, exhaust parts, front and rear bumpers, personal belongings, the works.

This had just happened probably about 10 seconds before I would have occupied the same space. Nahant Causeway is two lanes in each direction, with hard median separating directions of travel, and a wall on each side. Both vehicles appeared to contact at high speed and roll and ping pong along.

Vehicles behind me came to a stop and I observed (some) occupants of the vehicles ahead emerging and pretty well freaking the f*ck out. One woman was already on a cell phone. I knew I was of little utility to this situation, and I couldn't backtrack on this road, so I did a dick move and slowly navigated the minefield of debris, hoping there were no bodies along the way (there weren't) but there were very seriously injured people in both vehicles as I glanced at each along the way through.

I am sure I looked like a major douche pulling this stunt but I knew I would be trapped behind this for a very long time.

Anyway, when I got to the other side of the accident I pulled over and surveyed the scene and gathered my thoughts, and within a few minutes Nahant PD & EMS rolled on the scene. That's when I noticed my front and rear tires had collected chunks of glass like flypaper. I spent about 10 minutes brushing off and prying out chunks with my fingernails (ow). Larger pieces left chunk impressions and cuts in my tires and some much smaller pieces are embedded there and there is no way I will be able to get them out. The tires have 1100 miles on them. I rode carefully home without any apparent air loss or anything so I don't think I have any punctures but I'm wondering if it is safe to continue on these tires. The tires looked a little better when I came home, like most of the chunk-craters closed up, but there are still little pocks everywhere.

Your sage advice appreciated.

Besides my selfish interest in my tires, I hope everyone involved in this situation survived and recovers.

[OreoGaborio]

How deep were the bigger chunks that you pulled out? Were they stuck in there further than the grooves in the tread are deep?

If not, I wouldn't worry about it too much. As long as they didn't reach the cords in the carcass you should be alright.

[mojobreakfast]

How deep were the bigger chunks that you pulled out? Were they stuck in there further than the grooves in the tread are deep?

If not, I wouldn't worry about it too much. As long as they didn't reach the cords in the carcass you should be alright.

The bigger chunks were corn kernel sized and very sharp. They were either wedged in the grooves and slightly penetrating the rubber inside, or actually jammed straight into the rubber up to 3/4 of their overall size. I guess since I didn't ride very far before noticing them, they didn't have a chance to really get hammered in there. There weren't a lot of those, but there were/are a ton of much smaller slivers of glass that are now embedded in the rubber and I can't possibly get out.

I figured it was probably not too big of a deal but I'll admit to being a noob and still learning surprising and not-so-obvious things about motorcycles, so I thought I would ask. Thanks.

[noxin]

See, this is a sign that you should have stopped to see if you could help.

Karma's a bitch.

[mojobreakfast]

My last first responder training was CPR in 7th grade science class about 20 years ago. Short of putting gravely injured people 2-up on my bike, what could I have done? I do actually feel slightly bad about it all so I'm having a beer right now.

[R7]

My last first responder training was CPR in 7th grade science class about 20 years ago. Short of putting gravely injured people 2-up on my bike, what could I have done? I do actually feel slightly bad about it all so I'm having a beer right now.

Unless I knew the person or recognized the vehicles, sadly I'd have done the same thing you did. I say sadly because this is america and you'd risk getting sued if you tried to help

[bostongixxer]

Hey Damon...that's scary. I sometimes take a cruise out the causeway. The thought of an accident like that is frightening. Take your bike over to Eastern Cycle. Gito or Phil will check the tires for you. Let's ride one of these days. I went out toward Groton today. Too many cages clogging the roads.

[mojobreakfast]

Hey Damon...that's scary. I sometimes take a cruise out the causeway. The thought of an accident like that is frightening. Take your bike over to Eastern Cycle. Gito or Phil will check the tires for you. Let's ride one of these days. I went out toward Groton today. Too many cages clogging the roads.

Yeah, twas scary.. the realization that I could have been in that space seconds earlier only set in once I got back home. I do hope everyone is OK. I think you'll probably read about that accident in the local papers.

Anyhow. Yeah, we never sync'd up last year. Soon as we have another decent riding day, we'll ride. I still have your info. I'm snowboarding next weekend, but after that it's all motorcycle.

[out thumped]

Ya, sounds very scary, with only 1,100 miles,
those tires were almost brand new.

I would try to get the dead peoples insurance to pay for your tires.

Thank God for motorcycles!
OT

[Awesome]

Unless I knew the person or recognized the vehicles, sadly I'd have done the same thing you did. I say sadly because this is america and you'd risk getting sued if you tried to help

There is a good samaritain law that protects you.

[#1 masshole]

I know exactly where you're talking about. I used to ride there from time to time when I lived in Salem, Ma too.
Sounds pretty freaky to think you could have been involved in it. Hopefully all involved are ok and hopefully your tires are good to go.

[spydah]

Here is a good method for removing that pesky glass

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpL00l9X2Kc

[obsolete]

Unless I knew the person or recognized the vehicles, sadly I'd have done the same thing you did. I say sadly because this is america and you'd risk getting sued if you tried to help

I hope this is sarcastic. Otherwise I feel bad for the world we live in. I hope you're never in the need of help in an area where no one knows you.

At the risk of sounding like a complete touchy feely vag... We are all people that need help at some point especially at one of the most frightening time in most people's lives. IMHO to pass by a person in that much trouble defies our nature as humans. Always remember, just as you would want your loved ones helped, the person in that accident is someone else's loved one.

[elissama]

I hope this is sarcastic. Otherwise I feel bad for the world we live in. I hope you're never in the need of help in an area where no one knows you.

At the risk of sounding like a complete touchy feely vag... We are all people that need help at some point especially at one of the most frightening time in most people's lives. IMHO to pass by a person in that much trouble defies our nature as humans. Always remember, just as you would want your loved ones helped, the person in that accident is someone else's loved one.

Very true but sometimes its better if you don't stop. Last accident I stopped at on 93S was 2 cars with one airborne and flipping upsidedown several times before landing on roof. Other car rolled 2-3 times then landed on roof. Probably 20 people stopped to help. Problem was myself and 1 other person were the only ones with basic medical training - we spent the whole time running back and forth telling people to stop moving the people who had been in the accident.
First reaction is to pull someone from the wreckage but when the cars are not on fire best thing you can do is get the person to remain still until someone with real medical training can come to evaluate and take responsibility for neck and spine.
Roads were backed up both sides so it took ambulances a while to get there. I probably spent 15 - 20 minutes with a bloody guys head between my knees and my hands on his neck / shoulders to stop him from trying to get up and walk around (he was in pretty serious shock).

[Rick Lee]

I have never been able to just roll past someone in dire need of help. Even if all i can do is call the po po and keep people from moving that is what i would expect if someone came across something like this with someone i care about involved. Is there anything more important than taken an hour or two to support someone in their darkest hour? WTF!!!

I'm sure your a great guy and i will gladly drink beers with you but please go buy new tires so you feel a pinch for not doing the right thing. you will feel better after some i was a dick penance.

[DucDave]

If I'm among the first to arrive I would certainly see if there was any good I could do without doing more harm. But if there are already people stopped, and helping, my job is to get the hell out of the way and let them do what needs doing...so, in that case, I don't stop.

It seems to me that 90% of the people that stop may have good intentions but add no real value...

....fwiw

[mojobreakfast]

Lynn Item article stated that occupants of both vehicles were taken to the hospital. Driver of the Lexus was traveling at a high rate of speed and lost control, taking out the Mountaineer. Ambient speeds on this road are 50-60 until entering Nahant (a notorious speed trap) so this guy had to have been doing light speed.

Thankfully no fatalities it seems, but the article oddly does not mention the woman who was apparently trapped in the back of the Lexus? It does mention that Nahant, Lynn and state police were swamped with phone calls almost immediately from people walking along the beach. I couldn't have done anything more than was already being done. I don't keep the jaws of life handy under my pillon.

[moose24]

Sounds like a good idea to get some first responder training at your local Red Cross or fire department. Easiest training to accomplish, best knowledge to have when the %&^* hits the fan.

[obsolete]

Sounds like a good idea to get some first responder training at your local Red Cross or fire department. Easiest training to accomplish, best knowledge to have when the %&^* hits the fan.

I agree, especially if you ride in groups a lot. I'm gonna take a helmet removal course as soon as I find time.

[noxin]

I agree, especially if you ride in groups a lot. I'm gonna take a helmet removal course as soon as I find time.

I actually attended a class last weekend. It was rather informative and specifically trained on how to remove a helmet, amongst other things.

http://accidentscene.org/index.html

There's a instructor in Chelmsford if enough people want to actually do it, I'm sure she'd be willing to hold a class, there were 10 people in the class I attended and it was 45/person.

[Honclfibr]

FYI, about the liability if stopping to help someone in need:

http://www.cprinstructor.com/NH-GS.htm

http://www.cprinstructor.com/MA-GS.htm

http://www.cprinstructor.com/CT-GS.htm

http://www.cprinstructor.com/RI-GS.htm

[ChrisNoF4i]

It seems to me that 90% of the people that stop may have good intentions but add no real value...

I concur. That's why if and when I happen upon an accident I just mozy on by. Not because I'm a dick, but because I have no value to add to the situation and I'm smart enough to know that. I've called the authorities and tipped them off to an accident, but that's as far as I need to go. If someone had a life-threatening tax question or was in desperate need of a wicked good martini, then I would swoop in and save the day. Most people that stop at an accident scene are just there for the story and to make themselves feel like a badass. Fuck that... know your role.

[SVRACER01]

youre fucked. you need new tires. try the guys at Boston Moto...they will help you out.

[obsolete]

I actually attended a class last weekend. It was rather informative and specifically trained on how to remove a helmet, amongst other things.

http://accidentscene.org/index.html

There's a instructor in Chelmsford if enough people want to actually do it, I'm sure she'd be willing to hold a class, there were 10 people in the class I attended and it was 45/person.

I need to see if it qualifies for my continuing education. I'm an EMT.

[noxin]

It does qualify for Cont. Ed. Credits.