WATCH: Plane ‘crashes’ at Blaauwpan in East Rand

An aircraft crash simulation was held by OR Tambo International Airport and Airport Company South Africa (ACSA) on Monday, Kempton Express reports.

The simulation was an important drill ACSA has to carry out every two years.

At the airport, concerned ‘family members’ were waiting to hear about their loved ones on a ‘delayed’ flight, having already heard via social media there had been a crash.

The simulated crash scene was at Blaauwpan in Bonaero Park. Present on the ‘crash site’ were Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services, the police, fire brigade and ambulances.

“We are simulating an aircraft crash which is a phase three exercise. It is a requirement that we do this within a period of two years. We had a few issues with people fishing at the dam and a few bystanders when we began the simulation, but we eventually had everything under control,” said Magda Mogowe, assistant manager for fire and rescue at ACSA.

When asked how important this exercise was for real-life incidents, Mogowe said the exercise was to test their state of readiness.

“We want to see if we can deal with such magnitudes of disasters, should they happen,” she said.

Leigh Gunkel-Keuler, spokesperson for OR Tambo International Airport, said the simulation was also a reminder that they always needed be alert in case something like this really happened.

“We started with the emergency evacuation process and then the police arrived on the scene to assist. We need to get in contact with the airline involved before we can comment on anything that is on the scene,” said Gunkel-Keuler.

“Only then can the spokespeople from emergency services and law enforcement brief families involved before they see it on any media platform.”

The simulation was a successful all-day event. All emergency services members were there, handling the scene as if it was real.