Drunk driver convicted after stitching his own chainsaw-wounded hand and driving

[Semicolon]

Australian court rules against chainsaw drink-driver

An Australian learner driver who stitched his own chainsaw wound and drank gin for the pain before driving to hospital has lost a Supreme Court appeal against a drink-driving charge.

Timothy Withrow, from Port Willunga near Adelaide, had a blood alcohol reading three times the legal limit.

He was challenging an earlier ruling by a lower court that refused to consider the matter "trifling".

By law traffic offences deemed trifling can result in a lighter punishment.

Withrow sustained a gaping wound to his hand while using a chainsaw at his residence in February last year.

He phoned two emergency departments, but was told that they were very busy and would not be able to treat him for more than 10 hours.

Withrow then used a large sewing needle and some fishing line to sew up the wound and washed it with gin to prevent infection. He also drank gin to help with the pain.

He later decided to drive to the hospital for treatment after not being able to contact his wife. He said he could not afford an ambulance.

He was pulled over by police after failing to stop at a sign, and charged with several driving offences as well as being issued an immediate licence disqualification. Though he had previously held a driving licence in the US he did not have a full Australian licence.

In court he had pleaded guilty but before sentencing asked for the matter to be dealt with as trifling.

But Justice Kevin Nicholson agreed with the earlier ruling that Withrow had had options other than driving himself, including calling an ambulance or taxi, or approaching a neighbour for help.

"He posed a clear danger not only to himself but to other road users," Justice Nicholson said, according to local media.

"I admire [his] courage and his tolerance to pain but I do not admire his judgment."

Withrow will be sentenced by a magistrate at a later date.

Source

[Parts]

He phoned two emergency departments, but was told that they were very busy and would not be able to treat him for more than 10 hours.

Busy with what?   Chainsaw wounds are very dangerous and don't generally clean up that well even with going to the hospital

He said he could not afford an ambulance.

Doesn't Australia insurance cover any of the ambulance fees?  If this was in the US everyone would be screaming about how these things happen here because we don't have universal healthcare.   

As to the penalty I would think he could try and make the case for a kinda temporary insanity due to the pain and injury unless he had a history of driving drunk,  for a reduced sentence

[Semicolon]

He phoned two emergency departments, but was told that they were very busy and would not be able to treat him for more than 10 hours.

Busy with what?   Chainsaw wounds are very dangerous and don't generally clean up that well even with going to the hospital

He said he could not afford an ambulance.

Doesn't Australia insurance cover any of the ambulance fees?  If this was in the US everyone would be screaming about how these things happen here because we don't have universal healthcare.   

As to the penalty I would think he could try and make the case for a kinda temporary insanity due to the pain and injury unless he had a history of driving drunk,  for a reduced sentence

This is why people wear chainsaw gloves.

[Icequeen]

I vote on temporary insanity due to the pain.

Good grief, I can't even imagine how much that hurt. 

[Parts]

And kevlar chaps, I know a guy who just missed his femoral artery 

[Jack]

If this was in the US

Have never heard of an ambulatory call being too busy.

[Graelwyn]

Just the thought of being anywhere near a chainsaw makes me feel a bit queasy.
Feel sorry for the poor sod, driving under those conditions.

[Jack]

Just the thought of being anywhere near a chainsaw makes me feel a bit queasy.
Feel sorry for the poor sod, driving under those conditions.

What's even more odd than the ambulance bit, is the police officer gave him a sobriety test instead of helping him to a hospital.

[Graelwyn]

Just the thought of being anywhere near a chainsaw makes me feel a bit queasy.
Feel sorry for the poor sod, driving under those conditions.

What's even more odd than the ambulance bit, is the police officer gave him a sobriety test instead of helping him to a hospital.

Yes, that is somewhat ridiculous... have to wonder at people sometimes. 

[Minister Of Silly Walks]

He said he could not afford an ambulance.

Doesn't Australia insurance cover any of the ambulance fees?  If this was in the US everyone would be screaming about how these things happen here because we don't have universal healthcare.   

Universal health care in Australia doesn't cover ambulances. Or teeth. You need private insurance or deep pockets for those.

[Arya Quinn]

Just the thought of being anywhere near a chainsaw makes me feel a bit queasy.
Feel sorry for the poor sod, driving under those conditions.

What's even more odd than the ambulance bit, is the police officer gave him a sobriety test instead of helping him to a hospital.

I can just imagine how that went down. That police officer sounds like a right tosser. 

[Jack]

Just the thought of being anywhere near a chainsaw makes me feel a bit queasy.
Feel sorry for the poor sod, driving under those conditions.

What's even more odd than the ambulance bit, is the police officer gave him a sobriety test instead of helping him to a hospital.

I can just imagine how that went down. That police officer sounds like a right tosser. 

Indeed.

[Charlotte Quin]

An ambulance costs about $120 a ride unless you pay private insurance (the cheapest policy being one for ambulance only, about $40 per year)

[Yuri Bezmenov]

An ambulance costs about $120 a ride unless you pay private insurance (the cheapest policy being one for ambulance only, about $40 per year)

That's cheap. My dad got a ride in an ambulance from one side of town to the other and the bill was about $2,000.   

[Jack]

An ambulance costs about $120 a ride unless you pay private insurance (the cheapest policy being one for ambulance only, about $40 per year)

That's cheap. My dad got a ride in an ambulance from one side of town to the other and the bill was about $2,000.   

That's probably not the typical standard.