A TEENAGER'S body lies across the bonnet of a car, blood pouring from the cuts to her face and body.

Inside the vehicle, the young male driver sits stunned by what has happened, while his girlfriend in the seat next him cries out in agony from the injuries she sustained in the 35mph crash.

And on the side of the road a cyclist lies motionless - his bike crumpled just feet away from him.

Luckily for those involved it wasn't a real accident but a mock-up by the emergency services as part of National Road Safety Week.

The demonstration, which took place outside Arval's offices in the Windmill Hill Business Park, was attended by school pupils along with some of the company's clients and staff.

Firefighter Mark Evans told the audience that the driver had been travelling too close behind the cyclist, took his eyes off the road and clipped him.

He then lost control of the car and crashed into a skip.

The back seat passenger, who was not wearing a seatbelt, had gone through the windscreen.

Police, fire and ambulance crews tackled the incident as they would a real one.

As they battled to get the casualties out of the car, the only sound in the courtyard was that of the hydraulic cutting equipment going through metal.

After all the casualties, played by actors from New College, had been released from the car, Mark talked the crowds through their injuries, and told them that Laura, the girl who went through the windscreen, had later died in hospital.' Kingsdown School pupil Emily Law said that it had been really useful to see the crews in action.

"I think it has made everyone more aware of how dangerous it can be if you're not a sensible driver," said the 14-year-old.

"It is really quite shocking to see. Accidents like this do happen and they can also be a lot worse.

"It has made me a lot more aware of driving. I can't wait to drive, but I will definitely be doing it safely."

Swindon Council road safety manager Margaret Tester said the event had been about showing people what happens during a crash.

"This crash was low-speed, with the non-use of seatbelts, the possible use of a mobile phone and the possible influence of alcohol," she said.

"It gives people the experience of the accident without them being involved themselves. I think it had an effect.

"Most people think that if you are going to crash you'll be racing around at 70mph or 80mph, but this crash was only at 35mph, and I think it is important for people using local roads to understand that."