Ray Gordon was a passenger in rear of this Toyota Sequoia Limited with a professional driver carrying three key members of a World Bank related mission in Nigeria. Ray is the Urban Designer for the mission.
During mission trips, there are always several stops in different cities in Nigeria. Usually the transport is by air, but sometimes needs to go on the road. This team was traveling from Kano to Kaduna when the right rear tire on their Toyota Sequoia vehicle collapsed. Ray was sitting above that tire.The professional driver did everything possible to bring the car under control. But with the collapsed tire, other things on the car then failed and the car flipped 5 times in two different directions.
Ray was sitting above the wheel that collapsed and took the worst brunt when the car came to rest on its side, before bouncing upright.
Fortunately one of the best hospitals in West Africa was just 10 – 15 kilometers via dirt road away from the scene of the accident in Zaria. This is the ONLY hospital in the region. It is Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital. The police arrived within minutes and after arrangements were made, provided transport to the hospital. The team was able to contact the local World Bank office with one of their cell phones recovered from the crash site so that they could be picked up from this remote hospital.
The accident happened at 3PM today. They were at the hospital from 4PM to 9PM, then were transported to their hotel in Kaduna and Ray was able to settle into his room by midnight. That is when he called me through iChat audio.
Ray was examined and treated at the hospital. What we know for sure is that he has two fingers badly broken on his left hand and he is very beat up in general but nothing else appears to be broken. When you see the photos of the car, you know that they are all lucky to be alive.
In situations like this, it helps to be in good condition and Ray was in good condition when it happened. In retrospect, a major factor in survival was that the car didn’t hit any other cars, buildings, boulders, retaining walls or trees – which could have happened at any point along that highway. It was rather rare to have a stretch of road and time with no obstructions or cars.
This trip was to have lasted until February 27 but the accident cut it short and all members will return home. Ray said that it is traditional for people in that part of Nigeria to gather around an accident to say “I’m sorry” (to see your trouble) so you will see some people gathered in the photos. Ray said that about 100 people stopped to pay their respects.
Ray took took the photos below with his iPhone 3Gs.
Chronicle of My Husband Ray Gordon’s Car Crash in Nigeria and Medical Treatment with Photos
In a situation like this, friends and family are eager for updates so I provided them in one place with a link I could send them to.
February 22:
Ray is safely back. The xray shows serious bone damage to his fingers. Cuts, bruises, can’t use left shoulder. His whole right side including his shoulder is very bruised and sore. He is feeling very, very glad to be alive.
This hard eyeglass case was crushed but protected Ray’s eyeglasses during the accident.
Surgery is set for Thursday update
Februay 25:
Ray is back from surgery. Dr. Shin did what needed to be done including putting two titanium screws in the pinky finger and three in the ring finger. There is post-operative pain and he is resting. It is good that we were able to get the surgery done relatively soon after the accident. No public post surgery photos yet but I’ll at least add the new cast (our third) when I can.
When he is awake, I bring in my laptop to show him your well wishes and they are much appreciated. Thank you!
Hand is throbbing worse today. Ray says that is to be expected since the nerves are beginning to mend and send electrical impulses. More aware that the other fingers on the hand are badly sprained. This third cast finally reveals the other fingers so we can see that are swollen, with limited mobility. Other body parts are feeling a little better than before.
Please see Post Surgery Update February 26 for photo of new cast.
February 27
Post surgical throbbing in hand is reduced somewhat. Feeling better this morning. Thank you so much for your comments of concern and encouragement here as well as on Ray’s Facebook page and Twitter. If you are not yet connected to Ray on Facebook, you can ping my Facebook and I’ll provide an assist. I expect Ray to be back on-line within the next few days.
March 3
Fourth orthopedic device applied to Ray’s hand, this time a removable splint so that rehab can begin.
March 5
Stitches were removed and the FIFTH orthopedic device was put on. It is a hand brace to support and protect the two fingers.
Surgical incisions are healing well but the fingers are still very stiff and all the joints need to significantly increase mobility before Ray can effectively use this hand. There is still significant swelling in the joints.
The left shoulder has very restricted range of motion. That shoulder was taped to offer additional support. Ray has begun a number of therapeutic rehab treatments to regain range of mobility and strength in his left shoulder and arm.
YIPES! Very scary. Thank God he’s safe.
Very frightening news. So incredibly relieved to hear he survived rolling over 5x. That’s going to be some ride home. Thinking of you, Ray, with love.
Thank God he is okay. Amazing
Thank you so much for your caring comments. Ray, his family and friends will be seeing them.
Latest Update: I was able to communicate with Ray very briefly when he woke up Saturday morning (our Friday night) at the hotel in Kaduna. He hurts badly EVERYWHERE but that is to be expected.Dr. Mark Weiss, our excellent podiatrist/foot surgeon, has recommended the best hand specialist to see.I have not yet gotten word on when his flight will arrive but I am assuming some time Sunday. He thought that he could get out of Abuja Saturday night Nigeria time. The team had to first travel from Kaduna to Abuja where there are more frequent international flights. There is always a transfer in Europe (probably Frankfurt, maybe London) and then home. Internet access at the airport in Frankfurt is always poor, so I may not get an update until he arrives but I’ll let you know if I do.
UPDATE:Ray eked out an email:———still awaiting flight info.flying out of Abuja thus evening at around 11pm… will arrive in Frankfurt around 6am….I believe flite will leave Frankfurt a few hours later and arrive in LA in early afternoon… I will try to contact you from Abuja Airport after check-in.Must head to check out in a couple of minutes…everything hurts today… right side of entire body, both shoulders (can’t lift left) hard to do anything, even lay down… thing that hurts least is fingers… go figure!Type to you later,lotsa love,Ray
What a scare. He is so lucky it wasn’t worse. Our thoughts are with you and we will all await his arrival home to recover. It’s hard enough with an accident close to home, but being so far away makes it worse. Hugs to you and to Ray.
Thank you so much for letting us know. Rick and I thank God Ray is safe and on his way home! How amazing and what a miracle that he was not more severely injured. It is brutal to have to travel with the pain he is in. We will be praying for him that he will be able to rest in comfort and even sleep on the flight and that all transfers, luggage, etc. will be smooth. Love and hugs to you both.
Just read the news – so sorry to hear about the accident – but so glad to hear that you are OK and coming home today. We send lots of love and best wishes your way – hope to see you next month as planned!
I look forward to meeting you on your return and helping you towards a speedy recovery.
I believe in Gratitude and luck – Ray has both now, for sure!
Unbelievable! Both that it happened and that he survived!! We hope to hear more good news. We’re worried, but hopeful.Love, Irene
Ray, You will do anything for attention. Joy riding in Africa? Almost as bad as nearly losing my eye in India. Play it safe for a little while will you? We love you and don’t want to lose you. Next time you get in a vehicle … check the damn tires. Welcome home brother. Call me when you are feeling up to it and stay home for a while.. we (me) miss you here in LA. Glad you are in one piece! and P.S. "yes, Linda I do need help with my spelling" xxx b.c.
Oh my-so sorry to hear about the accident and I send Ray loads of healing energy! From the looks of the car, they were all very, very, very lucky! Again, send Ray my best and a hug for you ’cause I am sure you were worried!M.
thank you everyone for your kind wishes. so glad to be home. every time i look at the pictures i can’t believe all 4 of us walked away from this.
Hi Ray, Cathee and I are delighted you are OK and look forward to your returning to LA where you can relax and heal for a while. Maybe some good home cookin?
spoke with Ray this evening via Video IM. Glad to see his is not in too much pain and is as light-hearted as ever
Ray, I am so grateful that you and your associates are safe and home. Pleased to hear you have the best specialist taking care of you. Wishing you speedy recovery.lots of hugs, Clara
@JasonGordon @RayJGordon is always lighthearted. You know he did stand up comedy right?
Ummm, was it the middle finger by any chance that was badly broken? Y’know that’s a pretty important finger, hard to be without….hope it heals quickly and can get back to some serious usage soon!Seriously – you gave us all a scare. So relieved you are ok. -matt
To all of you asking me to give Ray a hug for you – I would love to. But right now the only touchable place on his body appears to be his nose. I am kissing the top of his nose frequently. We need to get more x-rays but feels like his ribs are cracked.
Linda, Jim and I are so sorry to hear of Ray’s accident, but so happy to hear he’s on the mend . Given your last comment I won’t you to give Ray a hug from us, and giving him a nose kiss from us seems a bit too odd, so please just give him our best wishes for a speedy recovery. Hugs to you!
So glad Ray is home and working his way to mending!
Let me get this straight.Ray flies half way ’round the world to crash his SUV – NASCAR-style?He could’ve done that right here in SoCal on the 101/405.Gimme a call next time Ray, huh?
Back from surgery and in more than a little pain but @RayJGordon sends his thanks and appreciation for your comments.
So thats what you have been up to….. Thankfully you made it out of there. Let me know how you are feeling! We need to catch up!