Saturday's operation aimed to demonstrate the efficiency and preparedness of North Yorkshire's emergency services to deal with a major incident.

The exercise took place at a level crossing in Farworth, next to a farm, between Pickering and Levisham.

The incident simulated a train collision with a van on the level crossing, leaving several people injured in the train, and two people trapped in the van.

More than 60 volunteers from the National Park took part in the event and acted as casualties for the emergency services to either rescue or treat appropriately.

The volunteers were taken to the location by steam train and a van was positioned on its side next to the railway line.

The operation was known as Exercise Prang.

First to arrive on the scene were the police, followed by North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, RAF Air Sea Rescue and Mountain Rescue. Ambulances were also at the scene within 15 minutes.

Fire crews began to cut the driver and passenger from the van, but came across another problem – one of the casualties was German and could speak little English.

Meanwhile other crews entered the train with breathing apparatus to rescue any injured or trapped casualties inside the carriages.

Some were seriously injured and had to be put on stretchers and taken by RAF Air Sea Rescue and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance to Scarborough Hospital.

Others were walking wounded and were transferred to another train which took them to safety.

Alan Rose, emergency planning officer from Scarborough Council, said: "We thought it would be more beneficial to have a live exercise based in the vicinity we have here. It is a unique situation. The spot we have identified for the exercise presents specific risks, the main one being the lack of communication we have with the type of radio network used. At the end of the exercise there will be a report which will identify any gaps, and recommendations will be made accordingly.

"All the risks we have foreseen have been dealt with more than adequately by the agencies. The main one was the communication but we were also concerned about bringing in Sea King helicopters and the air ambulances. But that worked well and we did airlift casualties.

"In terms of a response we made the emergency calls at 11.18am and there were crews here within eight minutes."

l You can view video of the dramatic exercise on SEN TV at www.scarborougheveningnews.co.uk