I'm glad to say the following story i can look back on and laugh. I couldn't for a few years. Then i grew up and got over it
Back in 2004 i drove a large enclosed delivery truck working as a sales rep for Smiths Chips. I parked my truck on a rather steep hill (the steepest one in a town of steep hills) in gear with the handbrake on just as i did every week i delivered to the particular motel i was visiting. The owner stuffed me around and couldn't decide what they wanted which delayed me from getting their order from the truck. When i finally came out to get thier order, my truck was not where i left it. Whilst inside, my handbrake decided it didnt like doing its job anymore, which then put so much pressure on the gear box it shattered and then the whole truck rolled backwards down the hill. Looks like my subconcious new something i didnt, and i had put the front wheels on a slight turn into the gutter which made it so when the truck rolled down the hill, it hit the gutter which sent the truck over to the other gutter on the other side of the road, then it hit that gutter, swung around so the cab was now facing down the hill, then the front hit the gutter, and my truck went to sleep on its side. Where it landed, about 1 metre behind it was a powerpole which it didnt touch, and where the top of the truck now layed, a fence was still in perfect condition about 50cm from the roof. Ans about 3m in front of the truck was an intersection. The only damage was to the truck and a slight dint in the gutter and some tyre marks.
Thankfully no one was hurt and to this day i do not know how it did not run straight down the hill through one of the busiest intersections in town, crossing the highway which on the other side was red rooster and supercheap and no kids were walking past on the foot path it was laying on (it was about 2.30 / 3pm on a monday). Phew!
The next part of the story shows i grew up in a close community. Growing up, My dad used to work for a very popular softdrink company, who used to pick up his machines and stock from the local NQX / QRX Depot, so i knew everyone there too. Everyone knew what my truck looked like (it was the only one like it in town). One of the QRX guys drove past just after it happened (not knowing if i was in the truck or not), and rang dad immediately. Also, word got back to the QRX depot pretty quick, and my partner worked with the boyfriend of one of the girls in the office there, so he quickly found out too. All in this time, i hadnt even have enough time to ring anyone yet! Before the police had time to turn up, my dad and my boyfriend both came screaming to where i was (both in separate cars but i think both of them were on 2 wheels going around the roundabouts on the way). We decided not to tell mum until she got home as she was away for work. No one was hurt we figured.
Unfortunaltey for me, on that particular day, the local newspaper happened to be doing a story at the pub that was also over the road, and came running over taking pictures. A little frazzled - i did the most obvoius thing and told them to get F#$%^& and to F@#$%^ Off! So in the paper the next day, i think i was called "clearly distraught young woman".
Now the worst part of the story comes next! I made the dreadfull phone call to my boss(which was based in another town about 1 hour away), then they sent one of the other guys down in the spare truck and another in a car to pick him up, and then they made me finish my day's run! Funny enough i refused to drive! (I was so dirty i wasn't allowed to just go home) But in hidsight, it was a good thing to get back on the horse that day and finish my run, as i was left with the other truck for the rest of the week. (which was still used up until the day they got rid of the trucks all together as mine was a write off!).
For those that are from Gladstone QLD, you may remeber this story. Yes
I am the one who rolled the Smith's truck on Far St without being in it! LOL
And no, i no longer work for that company. lol
