A highway wreck is the worst fear of a traveling musician, and of their families and friends. Both the driver and their passengers in a touring vehicle are especially vulnerable when a bus or van is involved in an accident, and any time we hear of one, the first instinct is to draw in your breath and hope the next bit of news is good.
Fortunately, this is the outcome of an incident involving Balsam Range yesterday morning. They were on their way from their home base in western North Carolina to play a morning showcase in Durham when they lost a rear wheel on their van traveling down I-40. The wheel came completely off the vehicle, and they found themselves skidding and sliding down the roadway at a high rate of speed. Fate was on their side, as the truck did not flip or strike another vehicle, finishing its out-of-control episode upright and without serious damaged.
The boys missed their showcase, but are back on the road today with a new wheel, and expect to be in Greensboro in time for this evening’s show.
Bass player Tim Surrett said to “Tell folks that we’re all OK, but that I do have grease on my hands.”
A close call, indeed.
