A TRAINING session for emergency crews saw the rescue of a man who was trapped in a car after it had crashed into a train today (Wednesday, July 16).

Visitors to Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon witnessed the dramatic scenes, which were part of a Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme training session for fire crews, police and ambulance teams.

Volunteers joined the emergency teams to portray crash victims on the train and one also played the driver of the crashed car.

The scenario aims to improve how the trio of emergency teams work together so that in the event of a real crash they are more efficient.

Julie Grosert, fire control manager at County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, said: “When police, fire and ambulance services respond to major incidents each organisation brings its own expertise to the situation.

“This programme aims to help us better understand each other’s expertise and ways of working so we can improve how we jointly deal with an emergency.

“This will help us to save lives and minimise harm.”

Fire crews from Durham, Teesside, Tyne and Wear and Northumberland plus police officers from Northumbria, Cleveland and Durham took part.

They were joined by North-East Ambulance Service staff. The practice session will continue tomorrow (Thursday, July 17) at Locomotion.

A steam engine was provided for the exercise by the Shildon-based museum.

Sarah Towers, marketing communication officer at Locomotion, said: “We were happy to work with the local services to provide the training.

“The event has created a lot of interest for visitors.”