Anyone who works or lives in a busy city will be familiar with hearing the sound of emergency vehicles dashing about on a regular basis.
Working very close to an international rail link/underground services/a bus station/a busy main road and a large shopping centre (Westfield - Stratford), I have become used to the noise and the flashing blue lights...however, yesterday late afternoon, there were far more than usual and when a helicopter started circling very low overhead it became obvious that this was something a little out of the ordinary.
Everything seemed to be heading towards the station/shopping centre so we all got up to go and have a look out of the window.
There were emergency staff clearing the buses out of the bus station and the helicopter was coming in to land - it was an air ambulance. I wasn't quite quick enough grabbing my camera because as you can see...
..it had landed...
...boy those pilots are good - that isn't exactly the largest of spaces when you consider those rotors whizzing round.
Emergency vehicles were arriving every few moments...
...and gathering along the approach to the station...
...and up by the main entrance.
All sorts of emergency vehicles...
...police, paramedics, ambulances and even a few fire-engines.
At this point it still wasn't know what the problem was...
...but the engine on the air-ambulance started up...
,,,and up it rose.
This was probably the best photo that I managed...
...the helecoter showing up clearly against the office block over the Westfield centre.
It rose higher...
...hovered for a moment or two...
...and then it was off.
We subsequently discovered that someone had been hit by a tube train but was sadly pronounced dead at the scene so the air-ambulance left.
I also discovered today that this was the second death at Stratford station within the space of a week.
Stratford is an extremely busy station - especially during the 'rush-hour' - and there are times when some of the platforms get very, very crowded. It can be quite frightening at times when people push their way forward and stand so close to the edge of the platform. A bit of pushing & shoving and the unthinkable can so easily happen...
If you commute or travel on a fairly regular basis it can become very easy to get wrapped up in the 'need' to get wherever you are going...but please...do take care....................................................
5 comments:
So sad to think someone lost their life, whether intentionally or accidentally. You managed to get some great action shots of the unfolding event though.
I must admit, I always find it sad when you hear someone has lost their life via the train or tube. Even if it's a choice they've made - its so sad for their families and that poor train driver.
You're right, you get so used to hearing police etc., you don't often look.
What an awful situation
very sad but think you did fabulously with your photography and your post tells the sad story so well
Hugs Kate x
Amazing photographs, such a sad situation though :(
Debbie x
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