*** On 4/18 there were two posts posted at a point in time together that the total amount of kilometers logged is not correct. I have made adjustments, and we are actually 13.7 km closer than previously reported ***
Rather boring ride, except for the aftermath of a pretty ugly car accident... outside of a Boomers funpark
(think mini race cars for kids and adults and maybe a mini golf course and other stuff)
It was two Indian guys (from India) in their new Mercedes (SL r230?), with an unknown casualty in the backseat receiving medical attention, against a Dodge Caravan with a Mother, Father, and at least one sub-10 year old son. From what I could deduce from the damage to the vehicles, it looked like the Mercedes was leaving the parking lot at the same time the Dodge was in, or going into the turn lane in the middle of the road.
The Mercedes plowed into the drivers side mid to front section of the Dodge, effectively pinning the male driver in the Dodge in his seat. The Dodge suffered pretty major damage on that side, but the van itself may be salvageable. The mother was wheeled away in a neck brace, with hemorrhaging from the face. The boy was on the stretcher, and was able to move his arm. They had to use either the Jaws of Life, or a motorized cutter (maybe the same thing) to pry the sliding door on the passengers side open to extract the boy. The father was still pinned in the front seat with a yellow sheet over him to probably keep him warm. Arm movement was visible from the street.
The two guys in the Mercedes looked to be okay. The entire front of the Mercedes was smashed in or torn apart. The car itself does not look to be salvageable. They were standing outside the car, and taking turns checking in on an unknown passenger in the backseat. They were able to talk to the police and help with one of the EMT who was on scene giving medical attention to the backseat passenger.
In total there were about 5 squad cars on scene providing support, or traffic assistance. Three separate ambulances were on scene, and possibly one to two more additional. Two fire trucks, one standard, one ladder, were on scene as well. Luckily, or unluckily as you may see it, the fire station is two and a half blocks away by street, less than half a mile.
Todays contribution = 36km
Total self contribution = 256+36 = 292km
Total distance = 998.6 + 13.7 + 36 = 1048.3km
Distance towards Anchorage from Fairbanks = 192.4 + 13.7 + 36km = 242.1 (329.1 km of 571.2km to go)