VICTIMS of plane, train and automobile crashes could all benefit from new heavy duty cutting equipment unveiled at Droitwich Fire Station.

Standards of tools on engines at the Saltway station have been bolstered thanks to a £100,000 investment package shared amongst all Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade tenders.

The Spa base also boasts a new specialist rescue engine, carrying state-of-the-art equipment that could be scrambled into action anywhere in the brigade if crisis struck.

On Wednesday, firefighters held a demonstration using the new power tools and skilfully dismantled a car within minutes.

Cutters, specialist glass removal tools and even a piston driven tools to push the engine compartment away from injured legs were revealed in the eye-opening demonstration. All equipment can be powered from the fire engine.

Brigade press officer Alec Mackie said the tools will enable firefighters to meet Government response targets and potentially save lives."We have an hour to get to the scene and get the victim treatment. Every second counts and it's commonly known as the golden hour.

"Currently only two tenders have the really specialised stuff but with Droitwich being so close to the motorway network, this wealth of new equipment should provide better support for the whole brigade."