Estevan Comprehensive School students got a close look at the dangers of drunk driving recently.
The school's Students Against Drunk Driving chapter held a mock accident on Spruce Drive that involved ECS students as well as personnel from the Estevan Fire Rescue Service, Estevan Police Service and Emergency Medical Technicians.
Under the scenario, a semi that was driven by a drunk driver swerved to miss a bicyclist and then crashed head on with a mini van carrying five passengers. The driver of the van was killed in the collision while her four passengers all suffered serious injuries.
In an effort to enhance the reality of the exercise, members of the fire department used the Jaws of Life to extract the passengers of the van. EMTs also placed the participants on back boards and transferred them to a waiting ambulance. EPS members handled traffic control and also "arrested" the drunk driver.
ECS teacher Keri Handley, who leads the school's SAAD chapter, was happy with how the mock exercise went and credited the support they received for the success.
"All the agencies that come together to help us stage this, it's just amazing," said Handley. "They are taking time out of their day to help us demonstrate these dangers. They did everything they would do in a real situation, so we really appreciated that."
Handley said the disaster also had the desired effect on ECS students.
"There were a few kids that were quite upset because they didn't know it was a mock (accident). That was our goal, we didn't want to tell everyone that it was mock because we wanted to see their reaction so they were actually genuine," she said. "It got out fairly quickly with texting and whatnot but there was still people that said 'wow, is this what it looks like?'
"One of the best comments was from the volunteer from Bert Baxter Transport. He came out of the truck, stumbled around like he was drunk for a while and was then handcuffed and put in the back of the car for like 40 minutes. He said 'this sure makes me think twice,' and I was appreciative of that comment because we like to spread our message beyond our school - that's why we offer things like Christmas party driving - and to hear him say that I thought wow, that is a good effect right there."
Handley said although they knew the accident wasn't real, the students in the van - Keisha Padayachee, Adam Shirley, Mariah Hildebrand, Shannon Lee and Mikaela Schlapkohl - were also caught up in the gravity of the situation.
"They were actually crying when they realized Keisha, the driver, was actually taken out and put in a body bag. They said it kind of scary. They know it's not real but at the same time your emotions just go and all the sounds of everything happening around them, it just really hit home."
Along with the local emergency personnel, Handley also wished to thank Spruce Ridge School student Keena McKnight who was the bicyclist in the scenario as well Bert Baxter Trucking and MacKenzie Towing.
