Dec 01 - MOD and Government Air Crash Disaster Exercise
On Wednesday afternoon a Live Air Crash Disaster Exercise will be carried out on the Eastern side of the runway. The incident is being carried out by the MoD, in conjunction with the Government. It will include the heavy involvement of the emergency services, particularly the RGP, who will manage traffic between Winston Churchill Avenue and St. Bernard’s Hospital, where casualty victims will be transported.
Detailing the exercise to the press this morning, Director of Civil Aviation Chris Purkiss explained that 100 actors, from the Gibraltar Regiment and Comprehensive Schools would play the part of plane passengers. The incident will portray a theoretical crash. The premise is that an aircraft leaving the runway, hits structures at the eastern end of the runway at an angle. The impact causes the aircraft to break in two with one part on fire. A number of passengers remain trapped in the seats, whilst others who appear uninjured are escorted into the Airport Terminal for treatment.
The authorities are asking for the public’s co-operation during the exercise, advising that those who do not need to drive through the area of Winston Churchill Avenue, between 3pm and around 6pm, avoid the area.
Authorities further advise the public to continue as normal so as not be alarmed by the activity between the Runway and the Hospital. The exercise is being carried out so that the emergency services and the MOD can ensure that they are prepared for the worst case scenario, in an effort to continue to bring a good service to users of the Airport, and those who fly to and from Gibraltar, as well as the general public.
