Students Against Dangerous Driving (SADD) put on a demonstration of emergency services attending a serious car crash at John Paul College.
Emergency services used the jaws of life to rescue four ‘seriously injured’ teenagers trapped in the car as hundreds of students looked on.
A large crowd of students looked on as emergency crews rushed to help four "seriously injured" teenagers trapped in a car after a crash at John Paul College yesterday.
The Jaws of Life were used to cut through the damaged vehicle as police, New Zealand Fire Service and St JohnAmbulance staff tried to save the youths during a dramatic rescue exercise in the school grounds. The demonstration, organised by Students Against Dangerous Driving, was held to highlight safer driving by young people.
CRASH SITE: Emergency crews work to rescue teenagers trapped after a mock car crash in a demonstration by Students Against Dangerous Driving at John Paul College. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 260914BF4
Organiser Ashleigh Williams said the 30-minute exercise was beneficial to those watching. "We are really happy with the response we got from the school," the Year 13 student said. "It was a great success and showed students what happens in an accident caused by driving over the speed limit."
Rotorua Fire Service senior station officer Jim Prescott said accidents happened at the least expected times. "There is no rhyme or reason, we attend accidents at 7 in the morning on fine days, and 11 at night when the rain is pouring down."
Mr Prescott said the exercise showed how easy it is to become distracted while driving.
"It is not always this clinical, there will be masses of blood, people screaming, dead bodies but if we can give the students a perspective on what could happen it would have achieved its purpose."
Emergency services were there to help and it was one of their major roles in the community, he said.