AT first glance this appears to be a horrific car cash, with the lives of the victims hanging by a thread.

But the only real thing in this scenario are volunteers from St John Ambulance (SJA), who are in training.

Held at Kidlington fire station, the mock-up collision between two cars and a motorbike was organised to help 30 adult volunteers deal with a series of challenges within the scenario.

Unit manager at SJA, Chris Tancock, said the volunteers were put through their paces, confronted with a stimulated vehicle collision with casualties.

They were expected to assess and give immediate first aid while awaiting the arrival of emergency services.

Mr Tancock said: "This was as 'real life' as we can make it.

"It tested our life saving skills, as well as our knowledge and expertise on everything from radio communications and major incident protocols, to filling in the relevant paperwork."

During the exercise last month there were SJA ambulances, fire crews and other SJA volunteers acting as casualties with prosthetics and fake blood.

The first aiders had to advise on casualty triage, movement and prioritisation, and directed the fire crews to cut open the cars as necessary to extricate the casualties, dealing with minor cases at a first aid point.

Then the SJA ambulance crews treated and transported casualties, while first aiders took care of the minor walking wounded.