THEY were there to encourage safety on the roads, but their skills were put to the test with an unexpected incident.

Paramedics, doctors and nurses rushed to help a woman who had been knocked off her bike during a road safety event at the weekend.

The woman did not sustain any serious injuries but it was a good example of the need for education.

Now in its second year, the Guildhall Square event attracted dozens of families as mums and dads brought their little ones along for a very important information day.

Tots and toddlers had a go at sounding a siren, steering a specialist medic’s bike, sitting in the cockpit of an air ambulance and even ‘treating’ trauma patients.

Children had their arms bandaged, met radiologists and saw demonstrations from neurosurgeons with scans, surgery, x-rays and drills. There was even a set of ‘beer goggles’ to try, a seriously crushed car, and breathalysers for those that wanted to have a go.

Organiser and paediatric registrar Dr Clarissa Chase from Southampton general hospital said the activities were designed to show how to make a safe journey, what happens on the roadside after an accident, as well as the consequences of a serious injury.

She said: “It’s been very popular - and all the staff are here in their own free time.”