Freaky Friday
Friday was a difficult day.
I was on my way to work and I got a call from Cheryl Welty. Those of you who know Cheryl know that that she listens to the scanner the way a critic listens to a concert. In our newsroom, we often don’t really listen to the scanner because we know that Cheryl will have heard the call and deciphered the tones before we do. If it is important, Cheryl will tell us.
As I turned onto 42 in Plain City I received a call from Cheryl. I knew what the call was. I didn’t know the specifics, but I knew what it was. For years, about once a month or so I will get a call from her telling me of a crash, a fire, road closure or other situation. She will tell me the location and I will alter my route to get there before I even get into the office.
On this morning, Cheryl informed me there was a crash on U.S. 33, west of 42 and so I headed that direction. Because I was headed west and the crash was on the east side, I parked in the median and prepared to get pictures. I was getting my ID badge and notepad when someone slammed into the back of my car.
My car was pushed for some distance before the other car spun off and into the median. The other driver was taken to the hospital. After a brief statement, a deputy also insisted that I go to the hospital to be examined.
While I feel fine now and there are some legal and financial ramifications to be worked through, it seems like things will be OK.
That said, this has served as a reminder that what I do is not always the easiest or the safest. Often, when first responders arrive at an incident, whether it is a crash, fire or police situation, someone from the newsroom is often there soon after.
I have become accustomed to walking among fire hoses, smelling leaking gas, standing near police, talking with victims, and generally being in difficult situations. The adrenaline is one of the things that drew me to journalism as a young man.
I am also aware that often I am at the scene for one of the worst days of someone’s life. I have said for years the mental toll that takes is what will eventually push me from journalism, but I don’t often think of the physical toll.
Friday, it came crashing down on me and I never saw it coming.
-Mac Cordell is a reporter for the Journal-Tribune.