Merton fire fighters will be holding a simulated car rescue to warn people of the consequences of dangerous driving next week. 

Shoppers in Wimbledon will be able to see how a car crash victim would be cut from a wreckage next month as part of a road safety demonstration to discourage careless and drink driving.

They will ‘rescue’ actors, who will be made to look as though they’ve been seriously hurt using makeup and prosthetics.

Darren Munro, the Brigade’s Borough Commander for Merton, said: “Every day firefighters across London attend around ten accidents, half of which involve people who’ve been injured.

“At the scene of an accident, a few seconds can be the difference between life and death and that’s why exercises like this are an excellent opportunity for our crews to practice their vital rescue skills.”

The Met Police and London Ambulance Service will also be available to talk to members of the public about the dangers of drinking driving. 

The demonstration, organised in partnership with the future Merton road safety team at Merton Council, will take place outside Morrison’s in Wimbledon town centre on December 5 from 11 to 2pm.