Rookie firefighters rushed to treat gravely injured actors "trapped" inside wrecked cars yesterday as part of an elaborate St John training exercise at the Fire Service National Training Centre.
Twenty-two fire recruits from around the country took part in the exercise, which simulated the aftermath of a train collision with two cars.
They worked alongside about 16 St John personnel and 20 "patients" to help make the scene real.
The recruits had to secure the scene and treat the patients, all while coping with a distraught and abusive mother, an aggressive train driver and a number of other distractions.
It was the biggest combined exercise at the training centre.