Exercise proves tunnel works

EASTLINK has already had its first two-car collision.
But luckily for the emergency services involved in the rescue, it was only a drill played out to test the safety systems along the new tollway before it opens on 29 June.
The exercise involved a mock car accident in the outbound Mullum Mullum tunnel.
Metropolitan Ambulance Service emergency management development coordinator Jon Byrne said the scenario included volunteers in other cars driving through the tunnel.
‘As a result of the mock accident, the tunnel was blocked, and traffic banked up,’ he said.
‘Paramedics from Nunawading resorted to walking into the tunnel to assess one patient who had minor injuries.
“As part of the MAS response, crews were also despatched from the Ringwood end and went into the incident via the inbound Melba tunnel, but weren’t required.’
Passengers from vehicles caught in the mock traffic jam were instructed to exit their vehicles and evacuate into the other tunnel.
The safety procedures for Eastlink are based on those for Citylink tunnels.
Mr Byrne said emergency services had agreed the exercise was a success and signed off on Eastlink’s incident management plan.
“Exercises like this are important. While this one was aimed at testing Eastlink’s safety systems, it was a good opportunity for all emergency services to work together, to ensure things run smoothly if there is an emergency on the new Eastlink road.”