Hit By An Hgv Truck While On The Hard Shoulder Of The M6

[Pollyandarthur]

We were travelling on the M6 yesterday near the Shap exit and the MH had a loss of power, we made it to the hard shoulder just as it stopped completely. We put on the hazard lights and tried to restart a couple of times but no go. We called the Peugeot line as they give free assistance for the first year, they said some one would be out to help asap. I went to get coats and Mrs went to the bathroom prior to going to wait on grass verge. There was a huge bang, an HGV truck hit the side of the MH taking out the bathroom and shower, in fact the whole corner and most of the side of the MH. How Mrs survived is a miracle. She is sore and very bruised but alive.
At least the driver stopped. The highways authority and the police were involved and we are hoping there won't be too much hassle re insurance. The MH is less than three months old and has not even done 1000 miles. I am so grateful we are both still alive but it feels like we have lost our dream.

 

[DavidG58]

Jeez, so glad to hear you both got out relatively unscathed, I do hope you have no issues with the insurance, very best of luck

I was expecting a video link to some eastern European accident, not one of our own

Bring the bits down to Airmyn next weekend, we will see if we can't 'fix - it', sorry I know its not a joke

 

[pappajohn]

Can you pick my lotto numbers this week.......you are both SO lucky to survive that.

 

[DABurleigh]

Sorry to hear but I'm tempted to say what good luck!

You just make sure you enjoy the rest of your lives after that reprieve!

Dave

 

[Wildman]

What an amazing escape did you have a hazard triangle out? Insurance should not be a problem.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Ethle the wondervan]

Hope you feel able to carry on with your dream once things are sorted.

Very best of luck for the future.

 

[jonsea]

Hi so glad you are both alive and not to injured I hope your wife gets on ok and no ill effects
john and mary

 

[Judge Mental]

Blimey...... count your blessings though!

 

[Robert Clark]

Crikey what a horrible experience

You were lucky to get out alive

 

[Cobweb]

Glad you both survived since that does sound awfull . I hope that you will have no problem with insurance . I also hope that this has not put you off and you can carry on motorhoming after everything is settled .

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Kool Kroozer]

Now thats what you call lucky, glad both of you are still in one piece but don't let if put you off motor homing - just careless HGV Drivers

 

[DBK]

You were indeed very lucky but you should have got out of the vehicle immediately you stopped and called for help standing on the grass bank or whatever was there. A lesson learned for everyone.

 

[Pollyandarthur]

What an amazing escape did you have a hazard triangle out? Insurance should not be a problem.

Hi wildman, no but the 4 way flashers were on. the driver of the HGV said he had to pull to the left as another HGV that was overtaking him and got too close.

 

[big bertha]

Horrified when I read this, glad you are both ok.

 

[carolyn]

Thank goodness you are both OK, have to confess I would have phoned the breakdown services from inside the van as it is so noisy on the verge that its virtually impossible to hear anyone, have tried it and had to get back in van to be heard. Please don't think anyone is criticizing you getting your stuff, it's much easier to think clearly from the safety of the sofa at home!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Adbt]

As a fellow MH and Bailey owner if there is anything I can do to help don't hesitate to ask , so glad you are both OK !

 

[Zains Pops]

Pleased to read your both ok. A lesson to us all, they say the hard shoulder is the most dangerous piece of road any driver may use, I guess the lesson is to exit the vehicle asap,pleased to read the hgv stopped and no doubt his insurance will cover all your costs. Keep a note of all expenses the collision causes and claim every penny.

 

[Irishrover]

Just count your lucky stars you are both alive and well.

Insurance will sort the rest out............Be happy....dont stress...

 

[Baycott]

Wow, what an awfull experience!!!
Glad to hear you are both relatively unscathed.
With luck the insurance will be straightforward.
Please keep us posted with your progress.

 

[IanF]

So sorry to hear your traumatic story . You were so lucky indeed. Hope all gets quickly resolved and your wife quickly recovers.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jim]

Hi Polly and Arthur, glad to hear you are OK. You were right not to put a warning triangle out on a motorway, far too dangerous and against current advice

 

[John.]

Glad your both ok

Things will seem so much better in a few days.

 

[wingman]

I was on the A47 a few days ago and I pulled into a small lay-by for a waz in the rear MH bathroom. As I'm doing the necessary, the vehicle was rocked by each passing lorry and van. I distinctly remember thinking, 'Christ, if anyone hit the rear now, I'm a gonner'

When I read your post, it made me shiver!

I'm terribly sorry to hear about the crash. Always, the reply on here is, it's only metal and bodywork not you! The MH can be repaired/written off. This could have been a tragedy; thankfully, it isn't.

Soon be back on the road again.
Best wishes to you both
James

 

[Mikey RV]

Wow made me shudder reading this. So glad your both ok, the motorhome can be replaced you can't. Hope it does not put you off having a motorhome and the insurance are on the case and deal with it quickly. Good luck.

 

[Welsh girl]

Wow, I'm so glad your both ok,makes me shudder too,I've seem lots of people sit in their cars when broken down and I confess I would probably do the same, sitting in the vehicle to wait for assistance, I won't now though!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[pops]

Glad you are both OK. Lets hope the insurance goes through quickly and smoothly.

 

[sdc77]

You are so lucky. I'm so pleased you're both OK. Hope people are reminded what a terribly dangerous place hard shoulders are

 

[old-mo]

..Scary .... But glad you are ok`ish..

 

[gus-lopez]

Glad to hear that you both came out unscathed , which is a miracle in itself.
I've done the same as wingman before & thought exactly the same as he did.

 

[Gromett]

As I am currently doing my HGV training I took an additional interest in this.

I am really sorry to hear about this and relieved that no serious injury happened. Van's can be replaced humans can't so don't worry about the van the insurance will sort that out.

As for advice, you probably have this figured out now due to experience. But for others. As previously said. The best advice is to get out ASAP and on the other side of the crash barrier. Exit the vehicle from the passenger side. Keep an eye on the road at all times even when on the other side of the crash barrier and be prepared to move if necessary. Forget the warning triangle in this country unless on a country lane after a bend or over the brow of a hill.

As for phoning before getting out. I would strongly advise against this. Get out ASAP.

I broke down in france and immediately got out of the van and ordered my passenger on to the other side of the crash barriers. I had to walk over a mile up the road to the garage. When I came back she was sat in the van saying that it was too hot. I was still about 3-400 metres away from the van when the motorway rescue people pulled up and bollocked her.

The advice about getting out of the vehicle is not health and safety gone mad it is vital and life saving instructions. At most grab your phone, wallet and coat. Nothing more.

As for the HGV driver, I am guessing he may have to pay a visit to the TC to explain himself. Without having seen the collision I couldn't guess. But I could see a situation whereby choosing to clip your van rather than ricochet off another HGV and then hit your van full force may be a viable explanation. Just hope he had a dash cam to back this up.

Just really happy that neither of you were seriously injured or worse.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}