[Mr Ramsbotham]

Without consulting the passengers in his minivan — "there was no time to take a vote" — Innes kicked into engineer mode.

I'm glad everything worked out, but I might question whether he had the right to risk other people's lives to make a hero of himself.

[fml]

They were his kids, they don’t always get a vote.

[DJ MacWoW]

Maybe but this kind of changes things: He knew a busy intersection was just ahead,

[avacado]

"I'm glad everything worked out, but I might question whether he had the right to risk other people's lives to make a hero of himself."

Given the known physics of what he was doing there really wasn't a risk.

[Pollster1]

I'm glad everything worked out, but I might question whether he had the right to risk other people's lives to make a hero of himself.

Basic physics. If the other vehicle was doing 40 mph and he was doing 35, the relative velocity is 5 mph. The relative velocity doesn't provide enough energy or momentum to kill; it's not even going to scratch his kids. After that, he's braking for both of them, and again it isn't going to kill anyone, since there is no further significant impact. He thought fast, he thought accurately, and he saved the lives of strangers without risking his own kids, just involving them with an up close view of doing the right thing. Personally, I think that's the best thing a parent can do for his kids.

[bigfootbob]

Valid point, but unrealistic under those circumstances. I doubt many who risk their lives like this consider a cost benefit analysis before reacting. Probably a good thing, too.

I doubt if he even considered anything other than trying to end the situation with minimal damage and loss of life. I also would be willing to bet a cup of overpriced Seattle coffee the thought of being a “hero” never once crossed the gentleman’s mind. The way I see it, the situation and how a human reacts is what determines a hero, not the other way around.

I’m certainly glad this came to a good end.

[motoman]

Sounds like his quick thinking was the right decision to avoid certain tragedy given the intersection coming up. Not sure why you accused him of trying to be a hero.

Most people would have simply rubbernecked while being paralyzed at the same time, thinking about a liability backlash.

[VaRepublican]

Some do, and others think about it. gotta love professionals in whatever craft they deal in.

[Psalm 144]

I’m glad everything worked out, but I might question whether he had the right to risk other people’s lives to make a hero of himself.
*********************************

“there was no time to take a vote”

[clee1]

Oh for the love of Christ!

Get a life, FRiend!

[Ben Mugged]

make a hero of himself

Are you only motivated by the opportunity for notoriety?

[Joe 6-pack]

"...I might question whether he had the right to risk other people's lives to make a hero of himself."

It doesn't sound like he did it "to make a hero of himself." I suspect his motivations were otherwise.

[FreedomNotSafety]

Really? Would it have been o’k to risk his own life even if it meant his kids could end up fatherless? Every risk can end up in loss that is why it is called risk. The bigger risk was Daddy doing nothing and letting the kids know its all about them even if it resulted in the death of others.

[FreedomNotSafety]

Really? Would it have been o’k to risk his own life even if it meant his kids could end up fatherless? Every risk can end up in loss that is why it is called risk. The bigger risk was Daddy doing nothing and letting the kids know its all about them even if it resulted in the death of others.

[reagan_fanatic]

I'm glad everything worked out, but I might question whether he had the right to risk other people's lives to make a hero of himself.

A crash at a busy intersection would have been a disaster and could have resulted in the injury/deaths of even more people. He made the right choice.

[BenLurkin]

kicked into engineer mode.

The self-infatuation of engineers is unfailing. They almost make lawyers look like normal people in comparison.