An Icelandic woman was saved by four Singaporeans after her car turned turtle in an accident in icy road conditions.
But she could not remember anything about the Singaporeans or the dramatic rescue on a road about 40km east of the capital Reykjavik on Tuesday. The rescue was caught on video.
When she finally saw the video, shot by one of the four Singaporeans who helped, she said she cried.
Miss Audur Gisladottir, 21, who works in a nail salon, was on her way to meet a friend in Hverageroi, a town in the south of Iceland when the accident happened.
She can remember listening to US band Korn as she drove in her red 2008 Toyota Yaris behind a big truck that day.
Miss Gisladottir told TNP: “I was driving at 90kmh when I suddenly lost control of the car and hit a sign.
“I think the car rolled three times and I broke the window with my head.”
The car landed on its roof at the road side, with Miss Gisladottir hanging upside down from her seat, held up by her seat belt.
She said: “I got a big wound on my head, a lot of broken glass went inside of my body and I sprained my back and neck.”
She was admitted to the hospital for nine hours and did not suffer any long-term injuries.
The Singaporeans saw her car overturn and rushed to help, as she screamed.
She said: “I kind of remember everything except after the car stopped. I do not remember screaming and crying like in the video.”
The video of the rescue has gone viral, with more than 4,600 views on Facebook.
Mr Muhammad Syahidin, 27, who goes by Denda Maradona on Facebook, posted the video on the day of the accident.
Netizens hailed them as heroes for their bravery and quick-thinking.
Miss Gisladottir had no clue about the video, and its rising popularity.
When asked about how she felt when she saw it, she said: “I was really sad about what had happened and I cried when I first saw the video.
“I am thankful that I survived with no serious injuries.
“I am also very thankful that they (her rescuers) were there and came to rescue me, even though I don’t remember them.”
She posted on Facebook photographs of the accident and of herself in the hospital bed on Tuesday.
She said thank you in Icelandic to the people who rescued her and the hospital staff.
Mr Muhammad Syahidin and his friends had arrived in Iceland on Nov 15, for an 11-day trip to catch the Northern Lights.
One of the friends, Mr Salihin Idderos, reposted Ms Gisladottir’s post on Facebook, saying: “Glad she’s OK.”
They pull her out of overturned car
Mr Muhammad Syahidin, 27, and his three friends were on the way to Gullfoss waterfall when they saw a car lose control on an icy road, hit a sign and flip thrice before landing onto its roof.
They stopped their car immediately to help the driver, Miss Audur Gisladottir, 21.
Mr Muhammad Syahidin’s friend, Mr Muhammad Nasir, 27, started recording as all four of them rushed towards the overturned car.
Miss Gisladottir, who was hanging upside down in the car, could be heard screaming frantically as Mr Muhammad Nasir got closer.
While Mr Muhammad Syahidin tried to open the front door of the car, Mr Muhammad Nasir can be heard urgently instructing his friends in a mix of English and Malay.
He said: “Get the seat belt. Try to unbuckle.”
At that point, the video shows Icelandic passers-by also stopping to help.
Another friend, Mr Salihin Idderos, 27, managed to unbuckle the woman’s seat belt, while Mr Muhammad Faishal, is seen helping direct traffic.
The video ends with the men freeing Miss Gisladottir, who is seen lying next to the car door, unconscious.
This article was first published on Nov 19, 2016.
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