Tom Waes emotionally during his first TV performance since his accident: « The physical is the least bad »

After the first time went briefly about the participation of cyclist and table gas Lotte Claes Kamp WaesKarl Vannieuwkerke soon named the elephant in the room by wrist to Waes’ physical and mental state. « I had a fairly heavy head wound, I had broken ribs, a broken hip. That is of course completely my own fault. But that is the physical one, that is the least. You will get through that, with hard work. But the mental is a different story, » says Waes.

« The shame is huge. I feel guilty towards my children, my girlfriend, my parents, » Waes said emotionally.

Heroes of the road

Waes also had a meeting with the person who was in the Botsabsorbeerder against which he bumped into and who was slightly injured in the shoulder in the accident. « I called him because I wanted to meet him. I injured someone, that’s my fault. But we had an incredibly warm meeting, » Waes testified. « He said: I hurt the shoulder, but I am especially happy how you are doing. We are always there first, we think the people. I was unconscious in the car, but sometimes people are also calling in the car. Those are the heroes of the road, I realized. « 

At the end of November, Waes crashed with his green Porsche against a bots absorber near the Kennedytunnel after a restaurant visit on the Antwerp South. Last Friday it was announced that Waes, who previously admitted that he had drunk at the time of the accident, had 2.44 Promille in his blood, the equivalent of 14 glasses of beer. The research showed that he was not wearing a seat belt.

« We had drunk way too much, I don’t hide that, » Waes looked back. “It was a solid evening out of which you only think afterwards: how much was it actually? There were: fourteen pints. It was not pints, but it was indeed a lot. It may make people realize that you are very fast there. I have often said: I have actually had my punishment, even though I still have to get my punishment. I am having a day and your children if it would not awake. Surviving, and then not knowing how you would survive, because you have a heavy head wound.

Therapeutic

Vannieuwkerke suggested that the VRT received emails in response to Tom Waes’ announced performance in Vive Le Vélooriginating from people who have lost loved ones by drunken drivers. « They have no understanding of the fact that we have invited you. Do you understand that? » Vannieuwkerke asked Waes. « Yes, » Waes said emotionally. « That hurts. I understand that. »

But, Vannieuwkerke also pointed out: Throughout history, consciousness around alcohol has grown in traffic. « People already think of Tom Waes when they drink a pint on a cafe and still have to drive the car, » said the Vive Le Vélo-presenter. « I also spoke to a number of parents who have put out their hand to me. I tackled that hand fully, » Waes responded. “I must honestly say: for me it is therapeutic, it helps me very hard to process it. And it helps them. It gives them the opportunity to go further than where they have succeeded in recent years. In one way or another I love to do that. The first time Vincent Leus (father of traffic victim Emilie, I have a few, I saw it. appointed: I’m not angry with you.You can help me. I really want to do that, « says Waes, who indicated that he would never have a drop if he still has to drive.

Also view. Tom Waes did not wear a belt and had 2,44 promille alcohol in the blood during accident: actor knows when he should appear before court