Witnessing death.

[Xeros]

How old was the woman?

I'm not sure. My best estimate would be mid 50s.

EDIT: According to the news report, she was 54.

Random, trivial question to the OP: Did you do anything to help the woman?

There was nothing to do. A large chunk of her skull landed right next to me, and I saw the brain matter coming out of her head when I glanced at the body. Not to mention all of the people that were rushing over to the body, and considering I have absolutely no medical knowledge whatsoever, I figured I'd just stay out of the way.

I haven't, but it isn't right that it didn't phase you 'one bit'. I can understand if it didn't traumatize you etc, but didn't bother you one bit? You saw her and wasn't shocked or scared, you didn't go home and think about what you saw? You don't feel sorry for her?

I thought about it all day, but as to feeling shocked, or scared, or sorry, no, I didn't. I felt no different than before it happened. I like to think I'm not without compassion, but I don't know if my sympathies, or condolences mean much if I don't actually feel sorry. Quoting Alucard 11189:

if it was a friend or a loved one, you might feel differently.

and he's right, I definitely would feel differently.

 

[Ajna]

Simple question: Have you ever seen someone die with your own eyes? How did you react?

While walking to my friend's house yesterday morning, I watched a woman get hit by car, fly 10 feet in the air, and slam into the ground. This happened not even 5 feet in front of me, and the piece of her skill with her hair attached to it landed even closer. My friend's and I have made countless jokes, and mockeries on the subject of death. In fact, it was one of the ways I'd coped with the death of my best friend. However, until now, I'd never witnessed death with my own eyes. Surprisingly, and even somewhat worryingly, it didn't phase me one damn bit.

Worryingly my ass. I don't give a fuck about death, though I try to pretend to for the sake of people who do.

My dog died while sitting next to me. I saw a guy get his head run over by a car tire from about fifteen feet away, and I saw a chick who was known for having mental issues dive in front of a car on the highway (not sure if she actually died, but I think so). I also saw a suicide live on a webcam, but don't know if that counts.

In the words of Reggie Watts: I. Just. Don't. Give. A. Fuck.

 

[Anaklusmos]

My brother watched a cat get run over, he was 10 or something, for days he couldn't stop talking about how it's eyes popped out of it's skull. I haven't witnessed anyone dieing, but I did watch the events that led up to a death. Some children were throwing snowballs at cars, one dude was driving to get a chip in his windshield repaired, one child made a snowball with rocks inside of it, he threw it, the windshield smashed, guy swerves crashes into the school gate. I think he survived, the driver, but he ran over a child who was rushed to hospital and died.

 

[holy_secret]

I haven't seen anyone die...

But, I witnessed the accident that killed my first girlfriend. And I reacted by going crazy...

EDIT: I really need to find some cheery threads to post in...

It's okay. I promise.

I heard a plate breaking. She was washing it. I freak out every time I hear plates break.

 

[Tdc2182]

snip.

I think we all wish we had the kind of balls to get through that like you.

I'm sure I'd be a giant wreck about it and not take care of my family like you did.

OT:Can't say I really have. I've been kind of lucky so far with family deaths, none of my immediate family have died.

I volunteer at the Ronald McDonald house, and I'm often around really sick kids. A large handful who don't make it.

Sometimes it really does kinda get real over there.

 

[Tdc2182]

Saw my dad die, but it was in a hospital bed and he wasn't going to be waking up. It was a case of turning off the life support and being there for his last few moments. I've come across a couple of people who have hated what I did.

Fuck em. You did the humane thing.

 

[Dango]

I once watched a dear jump on to one of those spiked metal fences. Poor thing was bleeding all over...

 

[Stasisesque]

Depends how much detail is required to class as witnessing someone die. I've seen two plane crashes, a total of three people die, and I've seen an old woman literally run over by a bus.

 

[dfphetteplace]

I am a paramedic, and have seen some pretty bad stuff over the last few years. A few weeks ago I had a 10 year old girl that was hit by a car. When we got called we didn't know it was a small girl. We found her in a pool of blood, there was no way she was going to live, but when I put her on our monitor she had pulseless electrical activity and I had to start CPR in the street for a victim that was not going to live. We worked her for about 30 minutes and ended up calling her time of death. Every bone in her body was broken and she was completely smashed up. I didn't sleep for a week.
It is my job and I deal with death all the time, but sometimes it is very hard. When it is an older person it can be a lot easier, but I still think about it for a little bit. People need more respect for life. It is very fragile and can be taken away at any moment for any reason.

 

[dfphetteplace]

Saw my dad die, but it was in a hospital bed and he wasn't going to be waking up. It was a case of turning off the life support and being there for his last few moments. I've come across a couple of people who have hated what I did.

You did nothing wrong.

 

[emeraldrafael]

a few times. actually, more then a few. Most were people that died after a particularly rough fight, and didnt want to die alone while the ambulance was one the way. Its not a pleasant thing really, but its somewhat... fulfilling, to know that you stayed with someone so they didnt die alone.

Though probably the only death i'm glad I never saw was my friend when he committed suicide. Had all 12 of us over, and while we wiated int he other room, he shot himself in the head and stabbed himself at near the same time. But then again, he was suffereing from some kinda cancer, and there wasnt much hope. His life was always pain, and the cnacer made it worse,s o we were just glad that he could do soemthing on his own terms.

 

[Klarinette]

She was outside your monkey sphere, don't worry about it. Your not a monster for feeling nothing, now if she was your mother and you feel fine then I'd start worrying.

Hmm... good answer. Forgot all about the monkey sphere.

OT: I've watched a pet die, and that definitely sucked. I watched my grandmother have the plug pulled on her. She pushed through another twenty hours, but it was still an awful feeling.

 

[Davey Woo]

I've not seen someone die, but my cat died recently, and though I wasn't there when he did die, I had to deal with him afterwards.
I've never held a dead creature in my arms before, and it was really difficult...

 

[pauseandeffect]

I have watched my uncle die while holding his hand and had my dog fall asleep and not wake up in my arms. The feeling of life leaving a living thing is like nothing else I have ever experienced. It's a humbling ordeal and one that I hope I won't have to go through anytime soon.

 

[SckizoBoy]

It's okay. I promise.

I heard a plate breaking. She was washing it. I freak out every time I hear plates break.

I know the feeling, I freak out every time I hear brakes (or at least I used to)... I managed to 'stop' that reaction, and now it's just finding the source vehicle and checking that everyone's OK, even if passively.

'smile': never know whether to smile or cry (or both) whenever I hear a woman say that... *sigh*

 

[thecatsme0w]

I will never forget the sight of my stillborn daughter. She was so tiny and beautiful. She'd have turned 11 this spring and I still remember her. I think I always will. The day she died is 2 days after my (living - born 2 years later) daughter's birthday and that makes it kind of a rollercoaster few days emotionally.

I was also with my dog when she was put to sleep but that was really peaceful. The vet came to our house and gave her the shots there and then just quietly left. We spent a good hour with her body, just petting her one last time before burying her in the yard.

I've seen a few open casket funerals too, mostly grandparents and the like.

 

[viranimus]

Well, its been my experience that seeing death is a lot easier to handle than having your choices being directly related to someones death. That sticks with you much longer and is a hell of a lot harder to handle.

Personally I try to not let such things phase me but even the most stoic are not fully immune.

 

[Jedoro]

Been up close to a dead body at a funeral, but never actually witnessed a death.

 

[Jewrean]

No but I've seen numerous animals needlessly tortured. It's sad because I care about all living things. The worst was merely a mouse, but it had been dipped in lighter fluid and lit on fire... and when the fire went out. It was relit. Again and again. Until the mouse stopped squealing. Humans are capable of great evil.

 

[Biosophilogical]

Everyone else died when I wasn't looking.

That sounds almost poetic. Like "Life happens when you are busy making other plans", except saying that the opposite holds true as well.

OT: I've never seen anyone die. My mother didn't let my brother and I go see my grandmother in the hospital when she was dying because she wanted to protect us from it. She saw it though, and it hit her pretty hard ... anything more than that is more than I feel comfortable sharing.