MORE than 400 emergency service workers and volunteers have taken part in a realistic training drill to test their readiness to deal with a real-life disaster.

The five-day Operation Black Kite simulated an aircraft crashing into a building, which then collapsed, trapping casualties inside.

To make the exercise more realistic for search and rescue teams, an aircraft fuselage was buried beneath tons of rubble and trained amputees actors were brought in.

Parts of the multi-agency exercise were carried out at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service training centre at Barmston and at Washington Service Station.

Fire crews were put through their paces alongside Northumbria Police, North East Ambulance Service, the Great North Air Ambulance and local councils, along with the Army and RAF, who provided a Chinook helicopter for the exercise.

The major exercise has been planned for 18 months, but comes just weeks after recent terror attacks and the Grenfell Tower fire.

Newcastle City Council leader Cllr Nick Forbes, said: “Recent terrorist attacks and the fire at the Grenfell Tower have shown us just how dependant we are on our courageous emergency services.

“These exercises are absolutely vital because they give everyone involved first-hand experience in how to work together in fast moving and challenging situations to save lives”.