Ellen Namyslo after a wild animal accident: Only a heroine helped the injured driver!

Ellen Namyslo after a wild animal accident: Only a heroine helped the injured driver!

Ellen Namyslo from Egarsee had an unpleasant encounter with the wildlife world on July 7th when a fallow deer suddenly jumped in front of her car. The shocked driver was on the way to Templin and had no time to react. Instinctively, she didn't swerve to avoid further accidents, but the collision was inevitable. The deer hit the hood of her car and flew to the side of the road. The airbag deployed and Ellen remained trapped in the car while the driver's side door would not open. Fear spread as hundreds of other drivers passed the scene of the accident without stopping and helping.

But then a young woman, Anne Perleberg, came into play. She stopped, looked after Ellen and called 911. As ambulances, fire departments and police arrived, there was great relief. Fortunately, Ellen was uninjured, but her car was totaled. Jörg Namyslo, her husband, was visibly grateful for the first aider's active support and took the opportunity to criticize the lack of helpfulness of other drivers. “A situation like this shows that we should be there for each other even in critical moments,” said Jörg. This is a stark reminder of how important it is to act in such emergencies.

The dangers in road traffic

Accidents involving wildlife are a common problem in Germany. According to the ADAC, around 265,000 wildlife accidents involving motor vehicles took place in 2022, which corresponds to one accident every two minutes. In many cases, deer or wild boar are the main actors. Every year, over a million wild animals die in such accidents, which not only puts a strain on wildlife but also poses a significant threat to road safety. The highest risk of colliding with wildlife occurs in the evening and early morning hours when the animals frequently cross roads.

In order to avoid accidents involving wild animals, it is necessary to drive with foresight. Paying attention to traffic signs such as “wild crossing” is essential. In the event of an accident, experts also recommend turning on the hazard lights, putting on a safety vest and securing the scene of the accident. Unfortunately, common emergency braking assistants are often unable to detect wild animals in time, which increases the risk. Even though technology is advancing rapidly, additional measures are required to ensure safety on the roads.

Prevention measures and statistics

In Baden-Württemberg, experts are working intensively on effective measures to prevent accidents involving wildlife. To date, over 76,000 wildlife accident data have been collected. This enables targeted analysis and helps develop specific recommendations to avoid accidents. The statistics are particularly alarming on busy traffic routes. Around 13,268 wildlife accidents were registered in 2021; In 2022 there were already 18,569, and in 2023 the number rose to 22,275. Deer are particularly prone to accidents, followed by wild boars and other animal species.

One of the challenges is that many drivers often underestimate the dangers of wildlife crossing. Experts agree that greater awareness among road users is necessary. This is the only way to raise awareness of the risks in areas with high levels of wildlife. With special measures based, among other things, on the analysis of collected data, the foundation is laid for a safer road traffic environment in the future.

The dramatic circumstances of Ellen's accident tragically illustrate how unexpected such an encounter can occur. It is not only a reminder to be considerate among road users, but also a call to have a good hand in dealing with nature. Because no one wants a careless moment to endanger the safety of people and animals. Stay alert!