Ludolf Miraculously Survives Auto Accident

We just never know when our number might be up and God calls us home. For one Winnipeg artist, it seemed that he'd received that call.

Ludolf Grolle of Winnipeg and friend, Elvis Koblavi from Togo had traveled

North of the city on August 4 2006 to Thompson, Manitoba, which is a drive of about 775 km. The next day, they began the trip back home. When they set out, little did they know they would come perilously close to never seeing Winnipeg – or their loved ones again.

Between the small towns of Thompson and Ponton, the drive was uneventful. It was dusk with intermittent light rain and Ludolf was driving about 110 km per hour. However, about 25 kilometers past Ponton, they came upon a poorly maintained stretch of road with a distinct curve. Then, just for a second, the 53-year-old lost his concentration.

"I hit the gravel on the side of the road and tried to brake," said Ludolf.

That's all it took to send the vehicle into a spin. Although he tried to brake to slow the car down, it spun four or five times on its wheels, skidded about 500 yards and turned into the oncoming traffic lane. Fortunately, no cars were coming but his vehicle was still in uncontrollable motion. It hit the side of the road and it's right wheels landed on a grassy verge. The car continued to slide sideway and then flipped over on the driver's side sending both men flying with their heads hitting the inside roof. While they were wearing seatbelts, the airbags did not open.

Then the car skidded another 20 feet, the driver's side door flew off and both the side windows, both front and rear shattered into a thousand pieces. Then the front window smashed and both the roof and bonnet on the driver's side were damaged. In an unrelenting motion, the car continued to slide, hit something and flipped from left to right the opposite way, rolling twice.

Believe it or not, both Ludolf and Elvis were still conscious at this point and very aware that this could be the end for them.

"I was conscious and heard cracking noises," Ludolf noted.

The vehicle continued in reckless abandon traveling quite a distance across a grassy field and into a nearby stream.

"The car then seemed to fly through the air, take off and land some 10 yards downstream facing north on its wheels."

The next thing Ludolf recalled was being inside the car in about five feet of water.

"I looked at my passenger to see if he was okay and then we both got out (of the car) in mosquito and fly infested water."

The vehicle had landed upright, so the two of them got out and made their way to the riverbank. They were both dirty, wet and cold, not to mention very shaken. They hoped that someone – anyone, would come along to help them. This particular area is quite sparse, with very few homes and little traffic. However, their prayers were answered almost immediately.

"A car met us. Had it not come, we would have collapsed in the cold."

The kind stranger drove them to Ponton. At about 10:30 p.m., the paramedics and Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrived to help them. At this point, Ludolf went into shock. The paramedics put neck braces on both men and placed them on gurneys. In the ambulance on the way to Thompson, Ludolf had his vital signs taken three times. His heart was gently hand massaged as well and his blood pressure, which is normally 125/75, reached 190/120.

It was a 200-mile drive to the hospital and they arrived at about 12:30 a.m. Ludolf was examined for internal bleeding and any possible breaks, including to his neck. During this time, he learned that Elvis had also been examined and was fine. All he suffered was a cut to his hand. The doctors determined that Ludolf was all right as well, except for three scratches on his head, and marks and a cut on his neck where the seatbelt had restrained him. Not one shard of glass was found on either of them.

"Colleagues came at 2:30 a.m. and took us to a hotel. At 3:15 a.m., accident reports were filed with the RCMP," he explained.

Feeling quite sore and exhausted at this point, and having showered at the hospital, Ludolf decided to get some rest.

"I slept with a paramedic watching over me and checking every half hour."

Despite the late-night goings on, he awoke at 7 a.m. and got ready for a bus trip back to Winnipeg. The trip took pretty much all day and he arrived home at about 6:30 p.m. feeling very internally bruised and sore. His neck was stiff and his shoulders hurt.

That same day, photos were taken at the scene of the accident and when Ludolf finally got to see them, he was stunned and mystified as to how he and his friend had even survived. With all of the times the car had flipped, as well as all the shattered glass, it seemed impossible.

"We should not have walked away," he said still amazed by the outcome. "It is like dropping 12 eggs in a box when all but one or two miraculously remain whole."

And he suspects that he got otherworldly help as well.

"I have three scratches on my forehead where I felt some fingers move my head away from the screen."

Perhaps his angels and/or spirit helpers were with him during this horrible accident. He has since learned that the entire Cree Indian nation lived, roamed and died in that area of Manitoba at one time as well. Whoever it was, it appears that they might have left behind visible signs of their presence in the photographs.

I asked Ludolf if he felt any different after having lived through this experience. While life has now gotten back to some semblance of normal, he said he has become much more organized than he was before. It is as if he is more intent on painting, setting up appointments and ensuring that everything that needs to be done gets done each day.

While his body may still be suffering the aftermath, his mind is sharper than ever. Perhaps he now realizes that life is short and could be snatched away from him at any time. Perhaps he now knows that life is a gift and he must cherish the gift of the NOW in each given moment.

Whatever the reasoning, Ludolf continues to be amazed by the photos of the accident scene. He says none of them were retouched, except to enhance the areas where what I am calling "water spirits" seem to be. Take a look for yourself and you'll quickly realize that Ludolf was truly blessed to have come through unscathed.

Please note that other photos with different anomalies are posted on my Gather page.

I am also publishing Ludolf's story in my monthly newsletter: Glimpses of the Paranormal – in September. As well, I am sending it in to Rob McConnell at The X-Zone for inclusion in their monthly newspaper: The X-Chronicles.