ABC News - New Orleans truck attack eyewitnesses recount 'a lot of screaming'
Paul and Anakah, visiting New Orleans from Seattle, describe waking up to gunfire and an explosion on Bourbon Street. Initially disoriented, they witnessed police with guns drawn and chaos outside their hotel window. Despite their backgrounds in emergency preparedness, they felt helpless as they could only observe the scene, which included wounded and deceased individuals. Anakah recounts the emotional impact of seeing a wheelchair-bound victim and the prioritization of care in such emergencies. They note the role of a cherry picker in stopping the truck involved in the attack, potentially saving many lives. Their account emphasizes the shock and helplessness felt during the incident, despite their training.
Key Points:
- Paul and Anakah were eyewitnesses to a violent attack on Bourbon Street, hearing gunfire and an explosion.
- Despite emergency preparedness backgrounds, they felt helpless and could only observe the scene.
- An emotional account of seeing a wheelchair-bound victim highlights the tragedy and chaos.
- A cherry picker inadvertently stopped the truck, potentially saving many lives.
- Their experience underscores the unpredictability and emotional toll of such incidents.
Details:
1. 👥 Introducing Eyewitnesses from Seattle
- Guests from New Orleans visiting Seattle for holidays, offering unique perspectives on the city's atmosphere.
- Eyewitnesses share their experiences at the scene in Seattle, highlighting key observations and interactions.
2. 🚨 Experiencing the Incident: Sounds and Sights
2.1. Sounds of the Incident
2.2. Sequence of Events
3. 🔍 Assessing the Situation and Ensuring Safety
- Upon hearing an unexpected crash, immediate assessment of the situation is critical, including checking visibility and confirming safety of the environment.
- Officers were visible and armed, indicating a high-risk situation, necessitating immediate safety measures.
- Prioritize personal safety by avoiding exposure to potential danger and waiting for confirmation of a secure environment before taking further action.
- Specific actions included maintaining communication with authorities to receive updates on the situation and identifying safe exits in the vicinity.
4. 🙏 Bearing Witness and Emotional Impact
- Individuals with backgrounds in emergency preparedness, including search and rescue and being an Eagle Scout, were present, prepared to assess but restricted from intervening in the incident.
- The scene was strictly controlled, with only the wounded, deceased, and officers allowed, highlighting the severity and the controlled response required.
- Their primary role was to bear witness and offer prayers, suggesting that their presence was not for intervention but for moral support, in accordance with the restrictions in place.
- The emotional impact of the incident was profound, causing significant distress, mental replay of the events, and sleep disturbances, indicating a lasting psychological effect.
- The incident abruptly interrupted a celebratory moment, emphasizing the sudden and distressing nature of the event and the emotional dissonance experienced.
5. 🦽 Witnessing the Aftermath and Emergency Response
- Emergency responders prioritize immediate life-threatening situations in triage, which can delay care for individuals who are alive but not in critical condition, as seen with Jeremy Kersch's case, highlighting the complexity of triage decisions.
- Responders must make rapid decisions in chaotic scenes, balancing critical care with the needs of stable patients, which can be challenging due to the disorienting nature of such environments.
- Initial scene confusion is common, exemplified by the misidentification of a wheelchair as a motorcycle, underscoring the need for improved situational awareness and training.
6. 🍒 The Cherry Picker's Role in Preventing Further Tragedy
- A cherry picker played a crucial role in stopping an electric truck that posed a threat to hundreds of lives.
- Electric trucks possess significant torque, making them challenging to halt once in motion.
- The cherry picker was initially seen as an obstacle, but its presence was pivotal in averting disaster.
- The situation required quick thinking and strategic placement of the cherry picker to effectively stop the truck.
- Understanding the mechanical capabilities and limitations of electric trucks is essential in emergency scenarios.