It seems to happen every year around this time - an accident involving drinking and driving in the parking lot at Frontier Mall.
A two-vehicle collision May 19 sent two people to hospital while the driver of another vehicle was killed. One police officer entered a footrace with the female driver of the other vehicle, who was caught with a bottle of beer in her hand.
The scene was similar to what transpired around the same location last year, when one person was killed while a suspect fled on foot from police.
Fortunately, like in years past, it was all an act.
The May 19 collision was part of the annual mock car accident at Frontier Mall, part of Saskatchewan Emergency Medical Services Week in the Battlefords. The "victims" were all students from John Paul II Collegiate's SADD program.
With the Victoria Day long weekend on its way it was a good opportunity to spread the message to people to not drink and drive. As well, it proved to be a good opportunity for people to see emergency responders in action.
Members from WPD Ambulance, North Battleford Fire and Emergency Services as well as the RCMP gave onlookers a display as to how EMS react to an emergency situation. WPD Ambulance personnel were seen carefully placing the accident victims on stretchers and moved them into ambulances for transport to the hospital.
The day proved to be valuable not only for onlookers but for emergency responders as a simulation for what they might have to contend with in a similar emergency.
The event was part of a busy EMS Week for WPD Ambulance, who organized several activities around the community during the week to educate and inform the public about the work they do.
"This week's theme for the week is Everyday Heroes," said Jason Toovey of WPD Ambulance. "Everybody is an everyday hero, everybody from the general public who call for the help to all the emergency staff who are responding, as well as the emergency staff at the hospital."
The goal of the week was to educate the public and enhance awareness of the role of EMS in the community. Among the events held was a blood pressure and glucose-testing clinic at Territorial Mall Monday, followed by visits to seniors' complexes Tuesday and Wednesday and school presentations on Wednesday and Thursday.
Friday was the annual beef on a bun fundraiser held at WPD's headquarters on 103rd Street. Proceeds from this year's event were to go towards the Credit Union CUPlex project.
