Mossman High students given a valuable lifesaving message as graduation nears
EDUCATION
As year 12 students prepare to graduate today, Mossman State High School has made sure to send them off with an important message that is hoped may save their lives.
A full crew of local emergency services descended on the school yesterday for an annual car crash re-enactment and training exercise presented to year 12 students.
Four students, two ambulances, two fire trucks, SES, Police, and the rescue helicopter all played out the scene of a serious two-vehicle crash on the school’s oval.
This year, the scenario was centred around drink driving and phone usage behind the wheel, resulting in two mangles cars, three teenagers seriously injured and one deceased.
Senior School Head of Department, Greg Hamilton said the car crash scenario is a part of the year 12 well-being program at the school.
“We have the car crash scenario which they are then debriefed about by emergency services, then the police talk to them about being safe after leaving school and at schoolies week,” he said.
“The car crash scenario is about road safety and smart choices because we know that statistically, drivers are most at risk in the first 12 months of driving.”
Mr Hamilton said accidents like the car crash that killed two teenagers near Babinda last month, really brings home why programs like this are important.
“When that happens, the impact on not just the family, but the wider community, is massive.
“So, if one of our kids stop and think about not getting into a car after drinking or looking at their phone while driving then it is worth it.”
He added that not many schools are able to give their students such a unique experience like this, and he attributed that to the local emergency services.
“To have what we had on such a large scale, we are very lucky,” he said.
Mossman Fire and Rescue lieutenant, Andrew Petrack, coordinated the event and said it is geared to show students, who are about to go out into the world, that actions have consequences.
“We are trying to change the student’s attitudes towards driving and I think it is working,” he said.
The four victims in the staged crash are played by fellow year 12 drama students which is intended to add to the impact of the exercise.
“The kids are quite affected by what they see on the day and no one goes away from it without thinking.
“We don’t want to scare the students, but we want to show that this could be a reality,” Mr Petrack said.
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