Emergency teams respond to Ironbridge Gorge 'catastrophe'
A collapsed gorge, trapped cars and missing casualties - just some of the challenges facing emergency rescue teams in Ironbridge today.
Thankfully it was only an exercise, planned over two years to allow volunteers and workers to prepare for a disaster hitting the gorge.
Agencies from all over Shropshire and Telford were taking part in Exercise Simul at Ironbridge Gorge, carrying out live rescues and using 'casualties' provided by 605 Auxiliary Squadron and Shropshire Fire and Rescue.
Our reporter Amy Downward was there and many of the participants tweeted live from the 'catastrophe' which ran from 8am until 5pm.
Voluntary organisations involved in the exercise included Severn Area Rescue Association, Raynet, National Search and Rescue Dog Association, Midland Cave Rescue Organisation, British Red Cross and West Mercia Search and Rescue.
Category One first responders involved were Warwickshire & West Mercia Police, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Midlands Ambulance Service and Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Councils.
The day started with briefings for at Telford Central Fire Station, before participants headed to mock disasters in the gorge.
Locations included Benthall Edge, Lincoln Hill, the Tar Tunnel and the River Severn itself between Ironbridge Rowing Club and the Half Moon pub.
