A Close call with death

The effects of the NDE give perspective on what is essential in our lives and, more importantly, give us enough shock to change our lives accordingly. The victim used to feel so lucky to have come so close but escaped death, especially out of the blue. Later, I realised I understood how fragile life is and how short our time here could be. I love the life I have lived, a conservative, careful life, calculating without minimising physical risks. Nevertheless, I have known two life-death experiences! I still remember everything – how it happened, but I do not understand the “why”. This is the story of the second near death experience.

YEAR OF THE INCIDENT: some time around 1976 I was driving alone in my car Jaguar MkII, from home, E18, Jalan Tasek Lama; reporting to duty at Radio Brunei SW & AM Transmitting Station at Jalan Berakas. Time : approximate 6pm

SCENE OF THE INCIDENT: there was no traffic light, dual carriage way, no carriage boulder on both sides of Jalan Berakas road (now Jalan Menteri) This is the area after the Municipal Building, turning left and heading to the PWD building Section and towards Old Airport Road to(now near the Dental Clinic). If you continue driving on Jalan Perdana Menteri, it will take you to the (now big roundabout near (now the MINDEF HQ at Boikiah Camp,) directly opposite the now Prime Minister’s Office.

I was heading towards Berakas Radio MW and Shortwave Transmitting Station, while the other red car was heading towards the opposite direction – towards me. At this point, I encountered a frightening incident. I was not driving very fast but about 2 metres away from me, it suddenly veered off course – turned about 90 degree sideway and became airborne heading directly towards the left hand side of my car! that I could see it’s undercarriage quite clearly, every part like its exhaust pipe and driving shaft! Its undercarriage, still air borne position,

I instinctively put one arm up to protect my face against impact and broken grass, yet to my surprise, there was no impact! I remember this part as if it was in slow motion – The red car flew over my car and fell down a slope by the side of the left-hand of the road, where some small tree stopped it from hitting the yellow Brunei Government staff quarters. I was terrified but still regained control of my car to slow down and pulled over by the roadside. It took me a few seconds to catch my breath and to regain my thoughts – replaying in my head, the miracle scenario that I was not injured and my car was not damaged. I decided that I must see if the driver of the red car needs help. As there were no street lights at the time, It was quite dark but as I look down the slope I could see beams from torch/flash lights from the residents who lived in the nearby Government Staff housing. They must have heard the red car crashing down hill that stopped about a few meters at their front door. With torch lights they were helping the people out from the red car. I could not go further down through the thick undergrowth. Since I know that the red car has help, I slowly walking back to my car and sat there in the dark, replaying in my head how and why and what had happened in slow motion. Did the red car hit something on the road surface, causing it to become airborne sideways? If the red car would have hit my car in the instance as it was air borne, I would be killed. That isn’t very comforting, though! Was it some divine force intervention? Was there a protective force that shielded to save me? I don’t know, but how do I even begin to process that this was a near-missed accident?

I never found out who was driving that car or its registration! I never saw the person, But I did see the undercarriage of that car fly over me. It has been decades, and I still remember that incident and that scene replays itself in my head. I am not sure if it was a near-death experience or an accident that would have had some physical implications on my health and well-being. It might have been; I might have died; I might have been severely injured and not been able to have the life that I have had. The incident changed me; I drove more carefully and became more aware of other cars around me. I became more aware of my mortality and of the impact on my family if my life was cut short.

I just wonder if there might be more people who have shocking experience Near Death incident and still alive? Please get in touch with me sharing how you have managed to overcome the drastic experience? Did you have to change your life style through medical treatment? At the end of the last page there is Blank space where you can write your comments or questions. We will response therein within 24 hours. We are looking forward to hear from you. With best regards from SK Chong.

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