The Icelandic Transportation Safety Board has published a report concerning a fatal car crash which occurred on the ring road near Norðurárdalur, North Iceland, on March 1, 2013. The board particularly noted in their report that bystanders’ lack of reaction and desire to help in serious emergencies such as this one is of great concern, visir.is reports.
In this particular incident the driver lost control of the vehicle when it was hit by a strong gust of wind on a wet road, resulting in the death of a twelve-year-old boy who was sleeping in the backseat of the car. The boy was wearing a seatbelt.
Another passenger stood by the side of the road after the crash and signaled passing cars for help, but several of them drove by without stopping.
“When serious accidents happen passersby are often the first to assist and treat the victims at the scene. General knowledge of first aid can then prove invaluable, while the injured await police, paramedics and doctors,” it is said in the report.
Numerous examples exist of bystanders’ assistance and application of first aid making all the difference in regards to the prognosis and even survival of the injured.
