RANGELEY – NorthStar and other emergency services staged an accident scene caused by a drunk driver. The mock accident took place on May 26 at Rangeley Lakes Regional School. Students in grades eight to 12 saw the car crash with several teenagers seriously hurt, an apparent drunk driver and one fatality at the scene.

Six students, made-up as if they had sustained injuries in the crash, were strategically placed in and around two crashed vehicles in the school parking lot. As other students came upon the scene, a 911 call started the action.

Within minutes Rangeley police, a Franklin Sheriff deputy and a NorthStar ambulance were on the scene, followed by fire trucks and equipment from the Rangeley Fire Department. Then a second and third ambulance rolled in forcing NorthStar to realign ambulances to assure coverage of the region.

The “injured,” none of whom were wearing a seat belt, were treated by EMTs and extricated by the firemen using saws and Jaws of Life tools. As the ambulances pulled away, the drunk driver of the car who was only slightly hurt was given a field sobriety test, handcuffed, arrested and transported from the scene by the officers.

The driver of the van that was struck by the drinking driver’s car died in the accident. As the action was winding down, a hearse from Adams McFarland Funeral Home arrived at the scene to transport the deceased. It was clear how upsetting this could be to family members as the mother of one of the patients realistically displayed her anguish at the scene as she had to identify her daughter.

Later, students reassembled in the school gym. NorthStar paramedic Tom Doak, who helped narrate the scene outside, spoke of the impact to the kids, families and responders. NorthStar base supervisor, Harold Schaetzle, welcomed the injured and dead students to applause from the entire student body. The six student volunteers were Britt Taylor, Zach Abbott, Ross Gordon, Allie Hammond, Emma Christensen and Jacob Simonds. The classes then heard from the police, the fire department and participating EMTs as they related several stories of accident scenes caused by drunk driving, followed by a question and answer session.

NorthStar EMT and Americorps member, Nate Delavan, coordinated the program as an Americorps project. Those wishing to know more about NorthStar’s community programs or about Americorps at NorthStar should contact NorthStar at 779-2770.