Mossman High Year 11 students get sobering reminder of proper driving decision making following mock accident day

- Contributed by Andrew Petrack with additional reporting from Michael Warren

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Just days ago Mossman Fire and Rescue conducted their annual road crash scenario for Year 11 students at Mossman State High School.

Coordinated and run by Mossman Station’s Lt Andrew Petrack from this year’s scenario coincided with the national road safety week campaign. 

101 lives have already been lost on Queensland roads already this year and 25% of those are 17-24 years old - there is definitely an over representation of fatalities in this age bracket.

Mr Petrack told Newsport Mossman, Port Douglas and Cairns fire crews, Mowbray & Wonga Rurals, Queensland Ambulance Service, Qld Police Service, Rescue 510 Helicopter,  Forensic Crash Unit, Mossman Hospital Workers, Community Funerals & Other Agencies each worked together tirelessly on freeing six critically injured year 11 classmates from the mangled and twisted wreckage of a two vehicle mock scenario crash.

Using the “jaws of life”, crews worked in tune with other services to cut the casualties from the vehicles during the mock scenarios.

After 45 mins the final casualty was removed, unfortunately there were two deceased, two critically  injured, one needed to be airlifted by Rescue 510 due to the nature of his injuries & two with non-life threatening injuries.

“The scenario gave the students an insight as to what a real life situation could look like,” Mr Petrack said.

“The messages we were sending out were to be accountable for your actions and consider the consequences based on an error of judgement as a road user, also to speak up as a passenger in a vehicle, if you feel unsafe let the driver know, but don’t encourage the driver to make reckless decisions.

“The scene was also a great training exercise for all the crew and agencies involved, a great opportunity to work together under pressure and to hone their skills.

“This was the 10th year running that we have held this presentation at Mossman State High School and we are certainly getting very encouraging feedback from students, teachers and parents in the shire, it’s definitely something we will continue to do at the school.”