A Jewish man is in critical condition after his own vehicle fell on top of him, early Friday morning.
It happened just after 2:00AM on the NY State Thruway, when the young man was traveling with his wife and children from Montreal to New York. His car suffered a flat tire at around mile-marker 33 (between Kiryas Joel and Monsey), and he began changing the tire on the side of the road. For reasons unknown, the car jack slipped, and the vehicle fell on top of him, pinning him under the vehicle.
Hatzolah from Kiryas Joel, Rockland (Monsey) and Catskills all responded. Rockland Chaveirim was called as well, who was on the scene in minutes. Chaveirim and Hatzolah members were able to lift the vehicle, with the assistance of a passing truck driver and another Jewish driver.
The man was found unresponsive, and a chopper was requested to airlift him to a trauma center. A Medevac arrived and landed on the highway, and the victim was flown to Westchester Hospital, where he is listed in critical condition.
Sources tell YWN that the victim suffered chest and shoulder injuries, and remains sedated in the hospital.
Please say Tehillim for Nachman ben Hinda Sara Zisel.
B”H
No details, but you need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions EXACTLY when lifting a motor vehicle and removing the tire.
Refua Sheleima.
That includes using jack stands instead of tire jacks to hold up the car.
Tire jacks are hydraulic devices meant ONLY for lifting a car, they are NOT meant to continuously hold it up. Hydraulic devices can easily fail, and when they do, it can be catastrophic.
Jack stands are the only things you should use to hold a car up, not even bricks, bricks can actually crumble suddenly under the weight of a car.
Use jack stands and use them in accordance with the manufacturers instructions, enough of them and under the correct lifting points, on a flat surface.
Only good news
May the young man have a Refuah Shelaima – besuros tovos with Moshiach Now
Obviously not passing judgment here but a good tip is that as soon as the flat tire is removed, place it on its side, under the frame of the car. Should the jack fail, or car wabble from a passing truck, the tire will keep it lifted, enabling you to reinsert the jack