Never did I go to see a death or a dead body, but when you are the only person present, and someone is clearly dying, I felt compelled to do what I could to help them, whether it was encouragement, kindness, or what have you. It was hard to do, esp at the age I was doing it (mid to late teens), and it has screwed me up, but it was my sacrifice to those that needed the help.
One thing I saw that comes to mind all to often-
Back in the mid eighties no one took car seats, or seat belts really serious.
I was directing traffic for an accident- the CHP was just arriving, both accident victims were okay, but they were blocking two lanes one north and one south bound. Part of one of the still functioning north bound lanes was blocked so I was trying to keep the rubber neckers moving.
This little girl, about two or three was in the back of a station wagon, playing with dolls and things (the back was made up like a play pen), her Dad driving slow rubber necking as they went past, he slowed a little and the car behind him bumped his bumper. The girl (looking right into my eyes) lost her balance and fell forehead first into the tail gate of the car she was in. She bounced back, her eyes wide, and very white, her forehead looked like a baseball was just under the skin.
The two drivers stopped right there, neither knew what had just happened. Dad was looking at his car when I slammed into the other driver- whom was approuching dear old Dad with a "hay, I'm sorry, was there any damage," kinda look.
"You killed her- did you get a good look at the F-ing accident?" I was out of my mind.
When the CHP tossed me down I was looking at the Dad holding his daughter in his arms, balling, the EMTs showing up for the other accident were there, but she was gone.
I have hated rubber neckers sense. It was perhaps one of the saddest things I have ever seen. There was no reason for her to die, it was just morbid people wanting to see the worst day of someone else's life.
Take care all. Have a good weekend.