Photos of scene of mock train crash in Watford in 1989

This emotional scene was captured by a Watford Observer photographer 35 years ago this month but, thankfully, the boy and the ‘casualties’ wrapped in blankets behind him were only acting.

The pictures on this page were captured at a mock train crash in October 1989 where the emergency services and rail workers were joined by volunteers for an exercise that was made to look as realistic as possible.

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A fireman tries to help one of the 'casualties' (Image: Watford Observer)

The images show the ‘accident’ took place in the Watford tunnel with firemen using ladders to scale the steep embankment to help ‘casualties’ get to safety.

A boy holds his head in hands at the scene (Image: Watford Observer)

Another picture shows ‘reporters’ interviewing a man who, presumably, was playing the part of someone who was on the train and appears to have escaped without serious injury, or was involved in what had happened in some other way.

One of the 'walking wounded' is helped away (Image: Watford Observer)

Emergency workers gathered at the mouth of the tunnel (Image: Watford Observer)

Firefighters scale the embankment (Image: Watford Observer)

This images show how steep the embankment is (Image: Watford Observer)

A St John Ambulance volunteer helps a 'casualty' (Image: Watford Observer)

'Casualties' are treated at the tunnel entrance (Image: Watford Observer)

Arriving at hospital (Image: Watford Observer)

A man is interviewed by the 'press' (Image: Watford Observer)

Time for a much-needed cuppa (Image: Watford Observer)