Even when accidents are recorded on camera, they can be hard to believe. Such is the case with Cordell Patrick, who was ejected out of an RV going around 60 mph and lived to tell about it.
He and his wife and their beagle were travelling on a very busy freeway in Newhall, Southern California. When Cordell stood up to use the restroom, he noticed that his wife had dozed off and was headed for the median. In an effort to prevent an accident, he tried to grab the steering wheel, but before he could, the motorhome smashed into the center median. The violent force of the crash sent him flying out of the side front window and over the median into oncoming traffic. It only took about five seconds from when he undid his seat belt for all of this to happen.
He was thrown about 170 feet across the roadway. Dashcam video shows a white SUV swerving quickly to miss him. Incredibly, after he landed, he was still conscious! At this point, he was certain that he was going to die. He realized that he was on one of the busiest freeways in L.A. County and that he could easily be hit by a car. He said that what was going through his mind was, “I’ll be dead shortly.”
Severely injured, but realizing that he could still move, he dragged himself to the safety of the median while he waited for help to arrive. Help arrived quickly, and after being transported to the hospital, his injuries were found to be numerous. He had sustained several broken bones, a dislocated shoulder, lacerations to his head, and road rash covering around 60% of his body.
Despite all the pain and discomfort, he looks back with incredulous amazement on his survival. “Yeah, it was divine intervention,” he said. “If you didn’t think there was a higher power before this, something is wrong with you, because there is — because I’m a living witness and I’ve got a living testimony to tell.”
No other drivers were hurt, including his wife. The beagle survived but the motorhome did not, as it was mostly destroyed in the impact.
GETTING BEYOND JUST ACKNOWLEDGING GOD EXISTS
Acknowledging divine intervention and a higher power, God, is good, but it is not enough! The Bible tells us that “the devils also believe, and tremble” (James 2:1919Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (James 2:19)). God has given us proof of His existence through creation. “When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; what is man, that Thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that Thou visitest him?” (Psalm 8:3-43When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? (Psalm 8:3‑4)).
God not only shows His mighty power through creation, but He has shown His care and love for man by sending His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our sins. This is God’s divine intervention on our behalf to save our lost souls. “God commendeth [makes known] His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified [made right] by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath [lake of fire] through Him” (Romans 5:8-98But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:8‑9)).
Christ paid the penalty for our sins on the cross and shed His blood for our sins. Because His sacrifice was sinless, pure, spotless and holy, God was totally satisfied and raised Jesus from the dead. The mighty work was done, and now all we need to do is to accept it by faith. “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:99That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)).
Cordell Patrick isn’t the only one who’s had that helpless feeling of being in danger. Scott Anderson’s terrifying tale can be found in 500 Feet Down.