Police said a woman died in a head-on collision on a US highway right after updating her Facebook status and posting selfies.
The 32-year-old, Courtney Sanford, posted on her Facebook page at 8:33 on Thursday morning, saying, “The happy song makes me so HAPPY.” Police were called about the crash at 8:34 that same morning.
According to the officers, Ms. Sanford was driving alone when her car crossed the center line, crashed into a recycling truck, and caught fire. The collision caused the truck to be pushed off the road.
She was driving on Interstate 85 in North Carolina on her way to work. The police said there was no evidence that her speed, drug use, or alcohol was a factor in the crash.
The Facebook link wasn’t revealed until this past weekend, when her friends told the police that several of her online posts seemed to have been made around the same time as the accident.
Lt. Chris Weisner from the High Point Police Department said the crash was a real-life example of what happens when you text and drive, as reported by WGHP TV.
Lt. Weisner explained that Ms. Sanford had been taking selfies on the highway and updating her social media just before the crash.
He said, “In just a few seconds, a life was lost so she could tell her friends she was happy. It’s really not worth it.”
He added that, while it’s sad, it’s a serious reminder for everyone to stay focused while driving.
John Wallace Thompson, 73, was driving the truck involved in the crash and was not injured.
Woman sees what she thought was a happy bird, then suddenly realises it’s something else
Embarking on a leisurely journey through the enchanting landscapes of Popran National Park in Australia, Kym Beechey found herself captivated by the allure of wildflowers, aiming to immortalize their beauty through her lens. Renowned for her unhurried hikes that allow her to fully absorb the marvels of nature, Beechey often faced the challenge of capturing the elusive movements of the area’s wildlife.
On a serendipitous day, fortune seemed to favor her when she spotted what initially appeared to be a young tawny frogmouth, bearing a striking resemblance to an owl, perched gracefully on a limb. A surge of excitement coursed through her veins, as avian subjects had proven to be notoriously swift for her camera.
Swiftly reaching for her phone, Beechey readied herself to capture the seemingly cheerful little bird. Zooming in for a closer look, a sense of anticipation enveloped her, only to be met with an unexpected twist. The smiling avian subject turned out to be none other than a banksia pod, a unique and charming pod that strikingly resembled a joyful bird.
As Beechey adjusted her camera to the revelation, it dawned on her that the seemingly animated “bird” was, in reality, a banksia pod, a distinctive and adorable pod that mimicked the appearance of a delighted bird. Banksia pods find their roots in banksia trees, primarily flourishing in southwestern Australia, with occasional sightings in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
Diverging from the resemblance to conventional pine cones, banksia pods are distinct fruit structures unrelated to pine trees. Originating from the Banksia genus trees, these pods, notably those from the Bull Banksia species, boast a substantial and sturdy build, making them suitable for an array of wood applications.
The Banksia grandis species, recognized for producing sizable seed pods, injects an artistic flair into various crafts and frequently graces online markets. Once the vibrant red or yellow banksia flowers shed their petals, the cone perseveres on the tree, eventually giving birth to seeds. Remarkably, a single tree can host both blossoms and mature cones concurrently.
The unique visage of banksia pods emerges from their tendency to burst open, liberating seeds in the process. Although Beechey’s initial impression of encountering an endearing baby bird was misplaced, she embraced the delightful surprise with laughter. Despite the amusing deception, the encounter contributed another charming snapshot to her ever-growing collection of exquisite wildflowers.
Given their idiosyncratic traits, banksia pods possess an uncanny ability to be mistaken for other entities, with each pod presenting a distinctive appearance within its own realm. Have you ever stumbled upon a plant that, at first glance, bore an uncanny resemblance to something entirely different, perhaps masquerading as a bird or another creature?
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