If Only We Knew...

Tuesday, 29th July 2008 – Day To Remember…

My phone rang at 6:30 in the morning, Able a fellow lecturer was on the line. Joe you coming? What he meant at that point of time was if I was going to follow the UTAR Shuttle bus to Kampar where I was stationed to teach for this semester. “No Able, I will be driving down myself.” I said. This was the week that I have decided to drive down to Kampar just to see how fast and how tiring would it be to drive down. I left my house at 7:00am sharp and reached in Kampar at 8:40am. Not too bad compared to the normal bus ride of two and a half hours.

At first, I was quite upset as I wanted to leave earlier but unfortunately overslept. If I was able to wake up earlier (5:30am) I would or might consider taking the shuttle bus. “Unfortunately” I woke up late. Driving down alone many things came to mind, negative thoughts or wasting money and fuel as I knew I would not be getting any compensation or allowance for the drive to Kampar.

By God’s grace I arrived without getting lost nor did I get stuck in a bad traffic jam. Praise God! Class was the same as usual, had some laughs and saw some weird presentations from my students. Then came dinner, the Front General Office staff has a sport session (not sure what kind) and hey would only be done by 8:30pm. That was the reason Me, Mok, Able and Shanti went one our little tour of Kampar by ourselves hoping to find a good place to eat. Mok took us to this nice little Chinese stall that sold (apparently) the best clay pot chicken in Kampar town.

After two pots of chicken rice, one dish of Kampar’s famous vegetable, three herbal drinks (Able, Shanti, Mok) and five Chinese tea with ice (mine), we were FULL!! (Burb!!!) On the way back to the hotel, Mok our Kampar guide decided to recommend that “oh! The kuih at the Kampar market is great!!”. Me and Shanti being the food devils, decided (for the whole group, since I was driving) that we would buy and eat in the hotel. The story goes that after about RM15 of kuih, we drove back to the hotel. As we neared the hotel, Shanti mentioned “why don’t we sit down at a mamak or shop to have a drink and eat the kuih?”

BLINK! We were all seated at Ghanny’s Corner a popular mamak stall near to our Hotel. As we laughed into the night a group of Able and my students came (TB3) and sat on the table next to ours. Soon both tables were one and we laughed as we watched all the different crazy stunts and class presentations hat we on Kelvin’s computer. That was when it happened…

Time: 11:15pm – BAM!! As I stood up I see a young motorcyclist lying flat on the floor. He had fallen from his motorcycle while sms-ing and making a turn. I do not believe that he was driving fast. Our students and many around rushed to his aid. Lifting the motorcycle up and getting him seated at the road side. Many First Aiders rushed to his aid, with first aid kits from the cars. That moment in time as I recall now was one of the most amazing thing that I have ever noticed. I never knew that there were so many of us walking around. Those selected few whom had the privilege to learn First Aid and in a moment’s notice extend a hand to help others in aid. I saw that there was a few experienced first aiders and I went back to my table and continued some small chatter. Not to brag, but being an officer in the Boys’ Brigade really helped me as I paid attention to what was going on. One of m students came to me and asked: “Mr Joe, can you send him to the hospital” Boink! I sprinted into my car, Mok my colleague offered to come along, but I said no as I needed someone with at least first aid qualification or a friend of the patient in my car. Woosh! We drove off into the nigh towards the old Kampar Hospital.

With double signal and flashing all the way we reached the hospital within 5 minutes (personal record). I asked Kelvin (my student and the patient’s friend) to keep on speaking to him and not letting him slip into sleep as I fear it could have been a concussion as the patient was feeling dizzy and disorientated. Pushed him into the emergency wad and soon the doctor and nurses were addressing him. Within 5 minutes or so the patient’s friends came rushing to the hospital worried. We got hold of the family, however, the parents were not in Kampar but outstation on their way home. The doctor said he was ok to go home without and scans or checks (what could I do, I am no Doctor!). I did my part and told the patient’s friends that they should let his parents know that the situation may sometimes be more complicated that what is seemed (not to undermine the doctor) but we must still understand that dizziness and disorientation and semi-consciousness, could be a cause of trauma, concussion, or sometimes shock. Whatever it might be, I told them to send him back to the emergency room if he feels any different during the night (i.e. vomit, dizziness, sudden pains etc).

As I drove back, it struck me, GOD is at work and He deserves all the Glory! Praise be to the Lord! Who has so perfectly planned the entire event. Woke up late, caused me to drive, without driving I would not have went with Mok, Able and Shanti for dinner. No dinner means we would not have been buying kuih. No kuih, means not going to mamak and parking my car next to the mamak stall. No car means no way or a delayed way to move him to the hospital. God also placed multiple first aiders and a FIRST AID KIT at the mamak stall. If this is not God’s intervention, please tell me how could so many coincidences happen in one day, one night, one place and so many people.

I sincerely, would like to thank the heroic group of first aiders that were on scene and extended their hand to a person in need. This has truly shown to many of us your heart and your real maturity. As I was discussing with the Ms Shani and Mr Able, the students who stood up, acted up and made a difference were those that were laughing and playing around with us. They seemed (no offence) young, inexperienced, cheeky, playful and unserious (when it comes to studies), but when the time came, they raised up, like a flame in the darkness with their hands and hearts of service. SALUTE! RESPECT! To all those who helped and made a difference!

These heroes, then merely, disappeared into the night. True honor! True heroes!

I could only name a few of those who were there, from UTAR Foundation Program Year One Semester One Class TB3: Daniel, Kelvin, Suven and an anonymous first aider that came to the rescue.

Maybe there is hope in the next generation after all… Everything happens for a reason… whatever God puts in your path now is merely a preparation of what is to come. Be patient and you would know that what you have gone through today would help you shine in the future. If this happened to you, what would you have done? Think… Would you stand and help? Saying is nothing, today I witnessed history in the making…

They did it… can you?

Your Life, Your Choice… Choose Wisely – It could make a difference!!

In His Service,
Timothy Chan
Lieutenant - Boys’ Brigade 2nd Subang Jaya Company
Assistant Lecturer – UTAR Centre Of Foundation Studies

P.S.: Moral of the story, do not sms while driving, riding a motorcycle, riding a bicycle, or walking. It could be dangerous.