Utah father hit by car at airport, police say driver lost control of handicap accessible vehicle

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah father is recovering within the hospital after he was hit by a automobile that plowed into a number of autos on the airport.

David Harmer, 60, was at Salt Lake Worldwide Airport renting a automobile Monday morning. As he was strolling to his rental automobile within the parking storage he heard a loud noise behind him.

“I heard this engine roaring and wheel squealing and I rotated simply in time,” David Harmer stated. “I used to be smashed between a 3,800 pound car and a 5,000 pound car. I knew immediately that my pelvis was damaged.”

Salt Lake Police stated the driving force who induced the incident was a rental automobile firm worker who was transferring the car, which had handicap driving accessibility options in it, when he misplaced management. He crashed into a number of parked automobiles and pushed one other automobile into Harmer. Police stated driver was cooperating with the continuing investigation.

“The paramedics estimate that he was going no less than 40 mph and the automobile that injured me was heading no less than going 20 mph,” Harmer stated. “They stated had I been any smaller or much less muscular they’d not have anticipated me to outlive.”

Good Samaritans got here to Harmer’s assist together with a third-year medical pupil visiting Utah from Alabama. He known as Harmer’s spouse, Elayne, who rushed again to the airport the place she had simply dropped off her husband.

“It was horrific, I imply you don’t wish to see your husband mendacity on the bottom with paramedics,” Elayne Wells Harmer stated.

Harmer’s pelvis was damaged in three locations. His restoration within the hospital has been gradual however regular. Harmer stated help from his household helps him get by way of all of it.

“A few the children have even been staying nights together with Elayne so that they’ve been fantastic,” he stated.

By way of this accident, he hopes all drivers will study to concentrate on their environment and know learn how to function the car they intend to drive.

“If that had occurred to a mean buyer they’d be useless,” he stated. “Their household can be planning a funeral.”