A DEVASTATING crash between a train and a car unfolded in Gerrards Cross yesterday, with more than 100 emergency service personnel attending – but thankfully the terrible incident was merely a practice drill.

A realistic scenario depicted the immediate aftermath of a collision between a Chiltern Railways train and a car which had been driven on to the tracks.

Crews were faced with fatalities, multiple casualties and dozens of walking wounded.

Firefighters from Gerrards Cross, Amersham, Beaconsfield and High Wycombe were joined by colleagues from British Transport Police, Chiltern Railways, Network Rail and South Central Ambulance Service’s Hazardous Area Response Team.

And 40 local drama students from Stagecoach Theatre Arts Schools acted as casualties.

Watch Manager Andy Maloney from Gerrards Cross Fire Station, who coordinated the exercise, said: “Fire service crews worked well in liaison with the full range of emergency responders who attend this type of complex incident and work together to resolve it successfully and safely.

“Our policies and procedures for an emergency incident on the rail network were rigorously tested and challenged, which was the aim of the exercise.

“All parties will be taking part in a full debrief to take forward the learning outcomes presented by the exercise. In the meantime I would like to thank everyone who took part for their time and effort.”