Simulated Crash At The Airport

Nelson airport is the fourth busiest in the country and the Civil Aviation Department would be ostrich-like if it did not consider the possibility of a crash at the airport. The department is very aware, however, of such a possibility, and to test the preparedness of emergency services to handle a disaster, the airport superintendent, Mr Ron King, organised a full-scale exercise recently. From a simulated crash 30 "casualties", pupils of Nay-land College, were rescued, given treatment on the spot and then rushed to hospital. In the meantime the blazing "aircraft" was extinguished by airport crash tenders and units of the Nelson Fire Brigade.

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A "victim" is removed from the scene by nurses and police.

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The blazing aircraft is now just a smoking ruin after having 15,000 gallons of foam poured on to it by fire fighters

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The surrounding area was also thoroughly soaked

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Firemen clean up