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Crash Reenactments
SIU Med School to Hold “Think First” Crash Reenactment Program at Sacred Heart Griffin High School in Springfield.
"Think First," an injury prevention program offered by Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield, will assist in presenting a mock crash reenactment to students at Sacred Heart Griffin High School in Springfield on Friday, April 16. The program starts at 12:30 p.m. and features a crash reenactment using vehicles and local students as crash victims.
The reenactment will focus on what can happen when young drivers drink and drive or ride with impaired drivers. Emergency personnel normally summoned after a car crash will simulate their tasks. Some students will be dressed and made-up to appear as crash victims. Those assisting are Springfield Police Dept., Springfield Fire Department, Illinois State Police, America Ambulance, Lifestar Ambulance and Medics First Ambulance, Sangamon County Coroner Susan Boone, Kirlin-Egan-Butler Funeral Home, Staab Funeral Home, Wiseman Salvage and Tuxhorn Towing. Guest speakers for this event will be Mark Dyment-Springfield Fire Department, Mindy Carroll-IL State Police, Ken Leonard- SHG Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, and Susan Boone—Sangamon County Coroner. “The purpose of the crash reenactment program is to show the real-life consequences of risk-taking behaviors,” says Mary Kay Reed, R.N., M.P.A., instructor of surgery at SIU and program coordinator. “Students are capable of making intelligent decisions. This program illustrates the consequences that can follow when bad decisions are made.” This program is part of the national ThinkFirst Program sponsored by the American College of Neurosurgeons and the North American Spine Society. ThinkFirst is presented as a public service at no cost to the school.
Each year 430,000 head and spinal cord injuries occur in the United States; one-third happen to people between the ages of 15 and 24. "This year there will be over 1,200 head injuries and over 800 spinal injuries in a 40-county area of central Illinois. The tragedy is most of these injuries are preventable," explains Reed.
"Think First" is funded by the School and by a federal grant provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation and administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety. Those interested in the program are invited to contact Reed at SIU School of Medicine, P.O. Box 19679, Springfield, IL. 62794-9679, 217-545-9112.
Note to media: The local contact at the high school is Bob Brenneisen-phone 787-1595.
There is no rain date.