Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 18/05) - St. Patrick high school students got a close look at a car crash as Yellowknife firefighters demonstrated a rescue, cutting their way into a wreck to save the victim.

"I want you to think about being at the end of the Ingraham Trail and being stuck in a motor vehicle seriously injured," deputy fire chief Chucker Dewar told Grade 9 students who watched the dramatic exercise.

The demonstration was part of the Side Door Youth Centre's PARTY program - Preventing Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth - and included a description of the injuries rescue workers deal with.

"They become aware of the consequences of drinking and driving from beginning to end," Dewar said of the teens.

"If students are going to be getting their driver's licence, they need to be aware and educated on the effects of making those kinds of choices," Dewar said.

This is the third year for the program in Yellowknife. Peggy Herd, coordinator, said it affects students each time it is presented.

"It's not meant to be a lecture, but we show them what can happen when you mix alcohol with vehicle or risk-related behaviours," Herd said.

"I think the impact made on students will help them to make better choices in their lives."

Chris Larose, a nursing student at Aurora College, was the mock victim in the rescue.

"It was pretty scary with all the noises around," he said after firemen cut their way into the car with the Jaws of Life and put him on a stretcher.

"Having glass smashed in your face didn't feel too good either. It was definitely a lot scarier than I thought," he said.

The simulated rescue made an impression on the student bystanders.

"It was cool. It taught me to not drink and drive," said Dion Gagnon.

Greg Kronstal said "drinking and driving is wrong and it takes the lives of many people."

In the NWT in 2004, 579 persons were charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle.