Staffs carry out dramatic extrication demonstration

Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service have highlighted to a group of young drivers the potential consequences they face if they do not follow the rules of the road.

The demonstration at Tamworth Fire Station [5 March] saw 2 cars which have previously been involved in real RTCs replicate the aftermath of an incident with one car on its roof and the other on its side. Six of the attendees, all aged 18-21, were placed in the vehicles, at the lowest possible level, while the crew released them using specialist hydraulic cutting equipment.

Before the demonstration, Community Safety Officer Phil Mulligan said: “Staffordshire has some of the safest roads in the country and, working with our partners, we have achieved a steady decrease in the number of incidents we have been called out to over the years.

“However, every incident is one too many and we are determined to highlight the very real risks that young people can face if they don’t take the responsibility of driving seriously. Some students recently told me they, or their friends, speed, don’t wear seatbelts and use their mobile phones while they are behind the wheel.

“The aim of this extrication demonstration is to enable the young people to experience, to a degree, what it feels like to be released from a vehicle after it has been involved in a collision. It can be quite shocking, particularly for those who have been freed from the cars, and it makes a big impact, with potentially life-saving effects, on those involved.”

The event was also supported by West Midlands Ambulance Service who provided information on the role of paramedics following an RTC as well as first aid and life skills. The attendees were all referred by NACRO Tamworth, a facility which provides alternative education provision for young people who have become disengaged.

West Midlands Ambulance Service Paramedic Rachael Graffy added: “This was a great opportunity to provide both road safety education to the youngsters and for the emergency services to demonstrate each of their roles at such incidents as well as our HeartStart courses."