‘How…? What… oh god.’ He cupped his hand to his mouth and sobbed.

Dani really didn’t know what else to say. She shook her head to regain her focus. First response. She couldn’t just stand there. She had to help. She turned away and walked with purpose towards the group of people from the other vehicles who were busy trying to rescue the occupants of the two more heavily damaged cars.

‘Please stay back!’ Easton ordered the civilians, holding out his ID. ‘For your safety and theirs, stay back. Help is on the way.’

Easton warily and carefully pulled the largely shell-shocked civilians away. Dani moved up to him. Both the male driver and woman passenger of one of the cars were trapped, the front of the vehicle crumpled beyond recognition and their torsos stuck somewhere among the mess.

Dani stuck her head through the broken glass of the passenger window.

‘Can you hear me?’ she asked, putting her hand on the woman’s neck, feeling for a pulse. It was faint, but she was definitely still alive.

‘Go check the man,’ Dani said to Easton. ‘But don’t even think about trying to move him.’

The woman stirred and Dani talked to her quietly and calmly, trying her best to get an understanding of what her likely injuries were, but she really didn’t even know where to start in helping to get her out. A police squad car arrived moments later, then an ambulance, and Dani was thankful to have the paramedics take over from her. Two more squad cars soon arrived, followed shortly after by two more ambulances. Finally, two fire engines hurtled to the scene.

Minutes later Dani had pulled away from the melee and was standing by a police car, the moment when the man had been creamed by the truck replaying over and over in her mind.

‘What the hell happened, Dani?’ Jason said, coming up to her side. When had he arrived? Who had called him?

Dani didn’t answer. She really didn’t know what to say.

‘Come on, why don’t we get you out of here?’

‘No,’ Dani said. ‘I’m not leaving. Not until I know those people are ok.’ She nodded over to where the fire brigade were busy sawing away at the roof of the most crumpled car.

‘It’s not your fault. You were just doing your job.’

‘I’m not even sure that matters,’ Dani said, trying her hardest to hold back her tears.