Matt's Murmurs - the continuing misadventures of a bridge engineer

...or, at least of an engineer who sometimes works on bridges. Well, if you read my previous posting about how I was confused with a terrorist, and I know that there's probably 2 of you (Kristi and someone else), then I have another one for you. I am now working on another bridge.

This time, I was confused with someone needing serious medical attention. Apparently, 911 received 'several' calls about how there's a gentleman who is suffering a heart attack under the bridge. How do I know this, you ask?? Well, a City of Tualatin fire'lady' walked up to me in my car while I was on the phone and asked if I was o.k. She then explained how she recieved the numerous phone calls from concerned citizens. So, I recreated the situation in my mind.....I have a heartattack while driving....I pull over, put my Jeep in 4-wheel drive to get through the mud, carefully back around the shoulder barrier and position myself directly under the bridge (you know, so as not to be seen).....then, I take my magnetic flasher and place it on top of my car being certain to connect it to it's battery. I then, put my reflective vest and hard hat on in case someone wants to drop a brick on me while I'm in cardiac arrest. I must have missed this section of the Oregon Road Code for what to do while suffering a heart attack during driving.

So, now, as a Public Service Announcement for the 2 of you who will read this...people work on bridges. The fact that someone is parked on or under a bridge with a flasher on their car with traffic control equipment does not necessarily mean that a tragedy is about to take place. Please remain calm.