So,
I went camping this weekend near radium with my good buddy mike, his family, my family, and my in laws.
Mike and I decide to go into town for a few forgotten groceries, ice and beer. On our way west into Radium om the 93, he notices the runaway lanes alongside us and asks me if I have ever seen these things used before?
No, I have not, never heard of it being used either.
As we get closer to radium, we notice a little vw golf in front of us start to veer into the empty oncoming lane, all the way to the shoulder lane (we were going downhill, oncoming traffic had a passing lane at this time). He then accelerates and cuts right back in front of us and HAMMERS it up the runaway lane.
He was traveling faster then we were, 110ish. He made it right to the top as if he had never let off the gas.
Mike and I turn around at this point and head back to see if this had really just happened, and what carnage was to follow?
As we pull up, I quickly tell mike to get out of the way of the runaway lane and park further up the road. As we exit the car and head to the lane, I see buddy and his golf are still intact and he is starting to back down the very steep incline.
Smart idea #2- let's see if we can do a three point turn.
Wtf?
(which has pretty much been my only thought up until this time). He is going to roll this thing rear end over tea kettle! As I try and wave my hands at him, he ends up backing into the trees where his car stops. He then starts waving back at me, asking for help. As I hike up the runaway lane to his car, I see the chunks in the grassy centre where his undercarriage was hitting. He yells down to me "hey, can you back my car down for me?"
No, I cannot.
I can now see he has his cars reared in the ditch on the side of this runaway lane, and had nothing but one wheel spinning. I asked him what he was thinking, he replied with "I wanted to see if I could make it up it".
Ok then.
I explained to this guy that he was not going to be driving his car out and that somebody would have to come get his car out for him.
He seemed puzzled and continued to try and convince me that trying to drive it out would work and that he could carry on to wherever he was going.
I asked him to leave the car alone and told him I would send for help when we got into radium.
I called emergency services when we got into radium and due to the situation, they send out the invermere police.
After our shopping, we return to the "scene" and see no emergency vehicles there yet. As we park our of the way I see buddy ignored my advice and decided to back up futhur into the trees. He is also running down the hill towards me. As I ask how he is doing, he passes me and mike altogether, stops 10' past our car and stares up the empty road.
"Are you ok man???" I ask again.
"Yep, I got the car out of their way now". He replied.
At this point a cruiser shows up, and buddy begins to tell the officer that his brakes felt overworked, that's why he went up there.
Our vw 4x4 driver is quickly escorted into the rear of the police car. I didnt see him get again.
I'm still wondering what the heck just happened.