MY FIRST NEWS STORY One Lucker Trucker Task You’re an intern with the New York Times Write a 250-word newsflash for the online edition about an accident involving the eighteen wheeler in the picture Follow the editor’s notes below Editor’s notes • • • • • • • • What happened and where? Where was the truck headed? Was anyone wounded in the accident? Were there other vehicles involved in the accident? Quotes from the driver Quotes from witnesses What might have caused the accident? Any damage to the truck? How’s it affected traffic? Task Before writing, read the newsflashes next page about other lucky accidents Borrow at least phrases from it for your story Also, find the words that mean the following: She’s incredibily thankful almost hit sg police are trying to find people who saw the accident I almost got into a wheelchair it was fortunate that they were unhurt it warns us again that … Cycle girl hit by car lucky to survive February 26th, 2009 A TEENAGE girl had to be rushed to hospital after she was hit by a car while trying to ride her bike against traffic on the Stuart Highway The girl, 16, is believed to have suffered a broken leg when hit by a blue Holden ute at the Berrimah Rd intersection at 12.40pm.The Kormilda College Year 11 student was not wearing a helmet as she rode in to oncoming traffic across the Stuart Highway at Berrimah The teen was being assessed at Royal Darwin Hospital last night The driver of the car, aged 19, was interviewed by police but no charges were laid Darwin Watch Commander, senior sergeant Garry Smith said it was a reminder that all cyclists should wear a helmet, particularly children, and obey traffic light directions Traffic was affected for more than an hour as police redirected motorists around the accident http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2009/02/26/35671_ntnews.html Road patrol workers lucky to escape injury 24/02/2009 8:45:00 AM Two road patrol workers were lucky to escape injury on Thursday after an eighteen wheeler hit the back of their stationary vehicle, narrowly missing the two men stood on the side of the Western Highway The road patrol vehicle was parked on the side of the highway facing west about one kilometre west of the Langi Ghiran Bridge when it is believed the west-bound truck drifted on the road, smashing into the vehicle at around 6pm The truck then mowed down the wire barrier and finally came to a stop more than 200 metres down the road The driver of the eighteen wheeler sustained minor injuries The truck was carrying a 34-ton load of alcohol The load was undamaged and after it had been secured the truck was towed to Horsham The Western Highway was partially blocked for around hours LSC Allen said the driver of the truck has been interviewed and police are seeking witnesses to the accident to come forward http://ararat.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/road-patrol-workers-lucky-to-escape-injury/1442057.aspx Baker Feels ‘Lucky' After Serious Accident Monday, February 16, 2009 A patch of ice on Miller Bay Road in Poulsbo nearly changed Haylee Baker's life forever The 17-year-old junior at Bainbridge Island High School, who is a pitcher for the Spartans, was driving to school last Wednesday when she skidded on the icy road near the Poulsbo Marina Baker lost control of her 1999 Toyota Camry and spun into oncoming traffic Baker was hit by another car on the passenger side and the impact fractured her vertebrae at the base of her neck The other driver was uninjured In what seems like a miracle, however, Baker's fracture was at an optimal place that it did not leave her paralyzed Baker will wear a neck brace for a few weeks and is expected to make a full recovery "It's amazing, I could have so easily been paralyzed," Baker said "I got really, really lucky." Baker's close friend, Brittany Wisner, who witnessed the accident, said she's grateful beyond words to have her friend alive and recuperating Baker said she doesn't remember much of the accident, only bits and pieces flash through her mind She doesn't remember driving to school, only her car first starting to slide on the ice as the road curved and losing control She remembers she panicked, but doesn't remember the collision itself Baker is disappointed she will miss the season, but is thankful to be alive and well and is looking forward to her senior year http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/feb/16/baker-feels-145lucky-after-serious-accident/ VOCABULARY KEY she's grateful beyond words to … narrowly missing police are seeking witnesses I could have so easily been paralyzed were lucky to escape injury it was a reminder that bits and pieces flash through her mind was partially blocked