A STAGED rescue of a car accident using Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service’s new vehicle was aimed at promoting road safety.

The new Stroud rescue appliance showed what it could do at a demonstration held at Michaelwood Services on the M5 last week.

The event was held to promote a new global road safety campaign, which Gloucestershire’s Road Safety Partnership has recently joined along with the fire service and police.

The United Nations ‘Decade of Action for Road Safety’ is supported by 100 countries all working to reduce road death and injury.

Jon Hall, chief fire officer, said: "In Gloucestershire, more people still die in road collisions than by any other accidental cause. It is right that we do everything in our power to reduce the pain, suffering and loss caused. "From road planning, speed management and education preventing collisions, right through to professional firefighters cutting out casualties and providing life support during an incident, we are committed to continuing to make a difference."

Proving that accidents on roads continue to be a problem the new rescue appliance was late for its demonstration having been called out to a road accident that morning. When it arrived it showed its capabilities in cutting drivers out of smashed cars.

A mobile safety camera van, the THINK motorcycle, the seat belt sled and fire engines were also at the service station, along with members of staff who talked to motorists about road safety.