A brand new car has been “destroyed” – but it’s all in a good cause to train the emergency services in Shropshire.
College students helped to strip down and rebuild the former demonstration car in their car maintenance classes.
The main pillars of the £30,000 black Chevrolet Captiva were completely sawn through so that the roof can be manually lifted off.
The five seater Chevrolet’s diesel engine was taken out along with the gearbox and brakes while the doors, windscreen and windows have all been removed and replaced to make the two tonne vehicle as light as possible.
Donated by Vauxhall Motors, the car will save money for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and enable fire officers to use it for innovative training sessions.
“We’ve taken it to bits,” said Simon Roberts, an instructor at the firefighter training college at Telford Fire Station, who sourced the vehicle after a four year search.
“It is a valuable training aid which we will use for firefighters’ to practice extrication techniques and also for training paramedics.”
Telford College’s John Hampson, who teaches automotive students, said: “They have been really enthusiastic and enjoyed working on this and stripping all the parts and putting them back again.”
Cherie Denton, of Vauxhall Motors said: “Vauxhall are delighted the vehicle has been used so diversely. We are so pleased to support the emergency services and college students in this way. This is partnership working at its best.”
For more information, go to www.shropshirefire.gov.uk
