A teenage girl, cut by the smashed windscreen, lies on the ground in front of the wrecked car

October 27, 2016

A teenage girl – bloodied and cut by a smashed windscreen – lies on the ground, gasping for air.

A few metres away her two male friends, also covered in blood, are still strapped in their seatbelts in a smashed up vehicle.

Empty alcohol cans and bottles are strewn across the seats.

This was the disturbing scenario which confronted Kingaroy State High School Year 11 students on Thursday when the RACQ brought its powerful “Docudrama” education program to the school.

The scenario involved three Year 12 students – Greta Oliver (road victim), Eli Bunyoung (passenger) and Tyson Tunstall (driver) – and was played out in real time with involvement by local police, ambulance paramedics and undertakers from Virgo Funerals.

David Webber, from RACQ, said the drama was designed to be a catalyst for discussion, rather than shocking the students.

He said that when the students saw their peers involved in the crash, there was an emotional impact that helped to empower them to have discussions with their friends.

Road crashes account for about 40 per cent of deaths in teenagers and young adults aged between 15-25 years in Queensland.

After witnessing the real-life scenario play out, the students then attended a debriefing session looking at how the tragedy could have been avoided.

Emphasis is on the Fatal Five:

  • Distraction and Inattention
  • Drink and Drug Driving
  • Fatigue
  • Seat Belts
  • Speeding

The RACQ Docudrama team shared a session with Year 11 and 12 Nanango State High School students on Thursday.

These two sessions are the first time the scenario has been demonstrated in the South Burnett.

The confronting scenario that greeted students at Kingaroy State High School on Thursday
The injured driver and passenger … and empty alcohol cans
As the police arrive on the scene, the young males start bickering over the cause of the crash
The passenger is distraught when he realises how badly injured is the teenage girl
Senior Sergeant Duane Frank is first on the scene with the girl
Then the paramedics step in and conduct some basic tests …
… and quickly determine that the girl has died … something her grief-stricken friend finds hard to accept
The paramedics and undertakers wrap the corpse in a body bag and take it away
Meanwhile, Senior Constable Samantha Giles tests the blood alcohol of the driver … he is over the limit so is placed in the paddywagon for further tests at the police station; the maximum criminal penalty for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death is 14 years jail if the driver is affected by an intoxicating substance

  

 

One Response to "Drama Captures Real-Life Trauma"

  1. Firstly, I would like to thank the RACQ, our emergency service workers and staff from Virgo funerals for giving their time to attend our local High Schools to present this vital road safety program to our kids.

    Unfortunately I am deeply disappointed that some staff and the Principal at Kingaroy State High School arranged/allowed a rewards excursion for year 11 students to an amusement park to be organized on the same day. I believe these students missed out on a great opportunity.

    Reply

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