AN EMERGENCY service from the Launceston area was called to a series of accidents at Greystone Quarry, on Sunday — coping extremely well with the casualties.

Fortunately, this was an exercise and not the real thing — but the lessons learned and the experience gained will be invaluable when real emergencies happen.

Greystone Quarry opened its doors to Launceston St John Ambulance for an interactive training exercise.

A series of scenarios were set up in the quarry workings.

Scenario 1: Two young ladies slipped down the rock face and into the lake, suffering minor injuries, shock and hypothermia.

Scenario 2: The dumper truck driver who saw them fall hurried to climb down and fell causing head and neck injuries and subsequently "cardiac arrest."

Scenario 3: A quarry worker caught his sleeve in a conveyor belt, thus ripping off his arm and his colleague went into severe shock.

The "casualties" were Andy Thomas and Alan Price, from Greystone Quarry, and Rachel Gay, Natalie Flanders and Emyr Evans for St John Ambulance.

The quarry manager, "I was pleased to host this training exercise as it gave our local St John Division some interesting scenarios to deal with.

"I hope that those who attended benefited from and enjoyed the morning."

Superintendent Tony Taplin, of Launceston St John Ambulance says: "We are delighted to have been able to join forces with Greystone Quarry in this exercise.

"It is really necessary to have such scenarios to train our members and keep our skills up to a high level of efficiency.

"I would like to thank James for his help and also South West Ambulance for their input, especially Barry Gibson, who planned and co-ordinated the whole exercise."

Mr. Taplin went on to say that special thanks also go to all the casualties for their superb efforts —not forgetting our Resusci-Annie!

PCSO Sharon Chinn also turned up and did a great job joining in the scenarios as herself.

THANKS EVERYONE

"Thanks also to Ginsters, who generously supplied, free of charge, pasties, slices and sausage rolls.

"Also," continued Mr. Taplin, "thank you to Paul Hamlyn ('Post' photographer) our own two photographers for the Division and our support workers who made ready all the refreshments and hot drinks.

"Everyone had a part to play and the whole exercise was a great success. Thank you everybody."