THEY may look a little battered and bruised, but these Peter Symonds College students were still smiling after taking part in a car crash simulation.

The Winchester college teamed up with Hampshire police and fire services to show students the dangers of drink-driving.

Four students volunteered for a car crash simulation as part of the college’s Safety Awareness Week.

Two fire and rescue appliances and police acted out the procedures and measures used during a crash situation.

Police breathalysed student Scott Hay, who was playing the driver, and ‘arrested’ him for being over the legal limit.

The fire crew helped cut the front seat passenger, Chloe Gardiner, free, while Megan Davies, one of the back seat passengers, walked away from the vehicle.

The other back seat passenger, Jamie Mulhall, was pronounced ‘dead’ at the scene and covered up for the remainder of the exercise, while the others were all treated for shock and any ‘injuries’ they sustained.

Chloe said: “There was so much noise and action going on. Everyone was busy doing their prescribed tasks.

“With my neck in a brace I couldn’t see what was happening to Jamie, who was able only to listen to the noisy activity around him.”

Scott said: “Even though I knew I was acting the whole event was very realistic.

“Being breathalysed and ‘arrested’ was a complete shock, and I’m relieved they took the cuffs off.”

The exercise was performed before several hundred fellow students, and was a timely reminder about the dangers of drink-driving over the festive and NewYear celebration period.

Liz Crouch, head of student services, thanked the emergency services for their participation, and added: “Hopefully the events during the road safety week helped to get the safe driving message across in an interesting yet informative way."