HORRIFIC images of traffic accidents and video interviews with survivors were used to drive home key messages in a road safety awareness event held at Airbus Broughton.

North Wales police officers, paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service and members of the North Wales Fire and Rescue service united to tell 160 Airbus apprentices about the consequences of speeding, not wearing a seatbelt and driving under the influence of drink or drugs.

The stark reality of what it is like to be involved in a serious road accident was brought home to the apprentices when they watched emergency services personnel in action at a mock crash scene in which three apprentices acted as casualties, one of whom was pronounced ‘dead’ at the scene and placed in a body bag.

Front seat passenger Fleur O’Hagan, a second year apprentice, was given life-saving treatment by paramedics for ‘serious injuries’ and extricated from the wreckage, which involved cutting the roof off the car.

She said: “It was a really scary experience – I never want to be in that position for real.”

Ryan Taylor, a third-year apprentice, said: “We have seen some pretty graphic stuff here today. It makes you more aware of the consequences and makes you think twice about your driving behaviour.

“It’s especially good for the younger apprentices who have just passed their test, but it will make me think about distances, mobile phones and seatbelt use, especially in taxis where people don’t always use them.”

The Deadly Impact event was aimed at 17--25 year olds, who are most at risk of being involved in a crash.

Apprentice training advisor Darren Collins, who arranged the event, said: “I’ve worked for Airbus for nine years and in that time have seen some of our apprentices unfortunately involved in accidents. As an employer, we have a duty of care to young people to help them get to work safely. Over the past 12 months we have presented this initiative to over 300 apprentices.”

In addition, PC Mike Riley who is based at Airbus arranged for the organisation Wagtail UK to give a demonstration with one of their drugs dogs. Wagtail UK works with private organisations, the police, border agencies and customs. They train dogs to detect drugs as well as cash, explosives, tobacco, live and dead bodies.