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Bus crash exercise 'aims to improve communication'

Sam Read
BBC News, Buckinghamshire
University of Buckingham A distressed looking woman wearing a large black sun hat with a big rim is being helped off a bus by two younger people wearing bright orange tops. Some of the bus windows have large red "X" shapes on them. Trees and a red brick building are behind the bus.University of Buckingham
Actors took part in the exercise alongside students and professionals

The aftermath of a crash between a bus and three cars has been simulated in a training event to help improve communication between emergency services.

About 400 people were involved in the exercise organised by the University of Buckingham Medical School.

The aim was to offer realistic experiences to about 190 medical students and 50 police, fire service and local council professionals.

Prof Joanne Selway, one of the organisers, said the event should improve communication at road accidents, which are the most common major incidents emergency services deal with.

University of Buckingham A small blue car is on grey matting in a sports field. A person can be seen in front of the car, apparently having been hit. A woman is sitting down near the car while six people in bright orange tops are standing around the vehicle, helping. A large white gazebo is in the background.University of Buckingham
The exercise simulated a serious road accident

She said "communication always comes out as something that can be improved" when reviews take place into major incidents.

People are often "seeing uniform, seeing status" when trying to communicate with local people or other professionals, and that can hamper medical outcomes, she added.

The exercise involved actors playing the roles of bus and car passengers and passers-by.

Amputee actors wore make-up to mimic fresh injuries at the university's Ford Meadow sports field.

Thames Valley Police was required to track down an apparent drunk driver while Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service had to get people out of vehicles.

Milton Keynes City Council staff took on roles co-ordinating the response.

University of Buckingham A silver Ford Ka car with yellow writing on it. A man wearing a black top and sunglasses is sitting on the floor next to the front left wheel, giving the impression he is injured. A hi-vis coat is hanging on a wing mirror. Two people in bright orange tops are in the foreground. Other people can be seen behind the car in the background.University of Buckingham
The simulation has become an annual exercise for third-year university students

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