Fire crews aim to cut road crashes in south Shropshire

Firefighters perform an RTC demonstration

Clun firefighters will show how they cut free people trapped in the mangled wreckage of their cars after a road crash during a Community Safety Open Day being held in Clun in October.

Their skills will be demonstrated in a bid to cut the number of road accidents in the area. A total of 31 people needed to be cut free from their wrecked vehicles by firefighters in the South Shropshire area in the past year.

The event, from 10am to 4pm at Clun Memorial Hall on Saturday, October 13 is part of a series of road safety events launched by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service in partnership with South Shropshire Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership aiming to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on the roads.

Police, fire and ambulance will be on hand during the event which will show fire crews cutting off the roof of a car and extricating a 'victim' from the wreckage as they copy what happens regularly on Shropshire roads.

A wide range of advice will also be available on the day from how to safely fit car seats to, home security and fire safety advice.

Saturday shoppers to the town will also be able to watch a shocking display of a chip pan fire with important safety advice on how to deal with such a blaze.

Organiser, Trevor Williams, Clun Fire Station Manager, said: ?We want to prevent road crashes from happening in the first place and this event is being held to make people more aware. Our exhibition shows what regularly happens on our roads.

"We have also got support from many organisations which will be here to give advice on a wide range of issues. It will be an event well worth attending for the whole family."

Other organisations taking part include the South Shropshire Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, first responders, members of the Young Farmers Club, Country Road Safety, Cycle Safety, Institute of Advanced Motorists, and many more.

The Fire and Rescue Service's Outreach Vehicle, Fire Engine, Chip Pan Simulator and Aerial Ladder Platform will also be on display.

25th September, 2007