RESCUE workers set their sights on the skies as they trained to treat casualties in hazardous environments.

Utility company npower allowed the crews to use an 130ft-high electricity pylon near Blackberry Lane, Blackbird Leys.

With the power turned off, they rehearsed an emergency call-out.

The South Central Ambulance Service’s hazardous area response team (Hart) joined Oxfordshire fire service for the drill.

The Hart team, based near Southampton, travelled to Oxford to learn from experts at Kidlington fire station, who lead the way in high-level rescue techniques.

Kidlington watch manager Chris Barber said: “For the Hart team, it’s about getting exposure to various conditions and being able to familiarise themselves with them.”

The joint training has been inspired by the need to be able to respond to large-scale disasters like the 7/7 London bombings and is also designed to prepare the emergency services for the 2012 Olympics.

Mr Barber added: “The priority in a situation like that is to train the crews to make themselves safe in that environment, make their team safe, the public safe and then focus on the safety of the casualty.”