I called 911 immediately, then went to the porch to eat my taco salad and watch the hooplah.

Don't get me wrong, the accident looked serious...a green Ford SUV on its side in 5th Street and a white compact in the middle of 5th Avenue with its hood crumpled. But there were plenty of people on the scene today and having been up all night, I thought it best to let them perform first aid.

A man, a musician I think, judging from the equipment in the back of the SUV, was trapped in the front seat. The vehicle was lying on the driver side, but he was conscious and communicating with the folks helping.

Rescue Co. #11 and Engine Co. # 1 were there right after the police...prepared to contain the scene if the gas tank had been ruptured, which it had not. Police started taking statements and directing the traffic on 5^th Avenue.

Cabell EMS was on their heels and started working with the rescue company to get the man out of the SUV. The white car had been moved to the south side of 5th Avenue by this time. The awkwardness of removing the driver from the front seat and ensuring that his spine was not unduly moved took several minutes. They moved him out the back of the vehicle after removing the seat and the music stands. A man with a shoulder-carried video camera came down 5th Avenue, probably from WOWK since it is just one block away.