A coach, carrying around 50 college students has been involved in a multi-vehicle pile-up.

An articulated lorry has rolled onto several vehicles, almost crushing them, and a car involved in the collision is on fire.

Fortunately, this scenario is part of a major training exercise, designed to test the joint response of the emergency services and other agencies.

It is taking place on land belonging to BAE Systems at Marconi Way, Rochester, on Tuesday, September 13, between 1pm and 3pm.

Around 50 firefighters, 10 fire engines and specialist vehicles, will work alongside South East Coast Ambulance Service, Kent Police and the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance to rescue casualties, provide emergency medical care and extinguish the car fire that threatens to engulf other vehicles.

Medway Council is also involved and is coordinating a welfare centre.

Station manager Stuart Beadle, Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) Exercise Director said: "Being well prepared to respond to emergencies when they occur is at the centre of what we do.

"This valuable and realistic training opportunity will enable all the agencies to test and validate their contingency plans, to ensure they are as robust as possible.

"Our joint aim is to provide the best possible outcome for those involved in any emergency situation we are called to; we all have a part to play in providing that life-saving care."

The exercise will see KFRS crews using the latest, extremely powerful heavy duty hydraulic rescue equipment to create the space needed to lift causalities clear from the wreckage.

Simultaneous rescue operations will take place involving teams of firefighters and paramedics assigned to work at each vehicle, to enable the rescue of multiple ‘casualties’ from a range of different vehicles.

Firefighter Beadle added: "As we improve our appliances, equipment and resources we need to ensure that our teams’ knowledge and experience continues to match this enhanced capability."

KFRS has reassured local residents there will be minimum disruption to the surrounding area during the exercise.