A TEAM of specialised paramedics took part in a major emergency training exercise for the first time in the Scarborough area.

Exercise Scarborough Flyer was at the North Bay Railway and simulated a head-on collision between two trains – with seriously injured casualties and a fire inside one of the tunnels.

The Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) travelled from Leeds to take part and Chris Fothergill, a HART spokesman, said: “The recent introduction of the HART enables additionally trained and suitably equipped paramedics to deliver lifesaving interventions within the hot zone.

“The HART are able to contribute towards better patient outcomes and provide medical assistance to other 999 Services working within a hazardous area.”

The exercise was coordinated by Scarborough firefighters and Chris Spurden, from Green Watch, said it had gone as well as could be expected. He added: “Everyone was accounted for but working in the tunnel was arduous, hard work.”

As well as two fire crews from Scarborough, an appliance came from Filey and three doctors also took part in the exercise.

Station manager Mark Naylor, who is normally based at Whitby Fire Station, was observing proceedings during the rescue operation and said it was good to train in a controlled environment. He said: “This prepares them for a real incident and we all learn from each other.”

The exercise was set up to test the emergency procedures of the North Bay Railway and staff were expected to get involved as much as possible.

Stephen Johnson, 20, from St John’s Road was an engine driver during the exercise. He said: “It’s awesome and it’s really good practice for everybody.”

Drama students from the Westwood Campus of Yorkshire Coast College, members of Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team and members of the Casualties Union played the part of people who had been injured in the crash.

Ian Peckitt, from the mountain rescue team, emerged from a smoke filled tunnel coughing and spluttering during the exercise. He said: “We carry out training exercises at least once a month. It’s good practice to work together.”

From the Scarborough Evening News on Monday, July 19, 2010.