Alderney Drama Group members Steve Waddicor, Kate Russell and Lee Flewitt, who took part in the airport drill. (0666675)

ANYONE who ventured in the vicinity of the airport last Wednesday evening could easily have come to the conclusion that a re-enactment of Michael Jackson’s Thriller video was taking place.

Zombies, people with extremely pale faces and even the dead had managed to make their way into the terminal building.

Add to the scene several police cars, fire engines and ambulances and the upshot could have been confusion for anyone who had, perhaps, decided to walk their dog in the area near La Source.

However, those present were not attempting to follow in the footsteps of Wacko Jacko, they were taking part in a night exercise designed to test Alderney’s resources and procedures should a disaster occur.

The two-hour drill was held in total darkness and involved a fantasy plane crash by fictitious airline Black Pearl. Fifteen passengers were on board the Trislander aircraft which ‘took off’ shortly after 7pm.

‘Hysterical’ friends and relatives – all members of Alderney Drama Group – gathered in the terminal building waiting to hear whether their loved ones had survived. One was a young mother whose baby was on board, while another was a woman in labour whose husband was a passenger.

BBC Guernsey correspondent Moira Sleeman was one of the ‘relatives’ and she produced a performance worthy of an Oscar throughout the ordeal.

It was so good, in fact, that I genuinely believed there had been a disaster when I turned up and saw her remonstrating with a police officer.

No one could deny the comedic tones throughout the exercise but the evening did include an extremely serious side, as director Adrian Le Pelley, Guernsey’s airport fire station commander, explained.

‘The exercise was designed to allow the participants to test resources and to practise and evaluate existing procedures when dealing with an aircraft accident in darkness.

‘It went very well overall. We planned it for a night with no moonlight so it would be dark. We didn’t plan the weather but it was good that it was cold and wintry as it’s often those types of conditions when these events occur.’

Mr Le Pelley said the exercise was a success.

‘There were a couple of hiccups but nothing we didn’t anticipate. One involved communication with Aurigny, but it wasn’t a major problem.

‘I’m sure the other agencies will discuss certain items when the full debrief takes place but I’m confident the exercise was a success overall.’

Mr Le Pelley went on to say Alderney should value its community spirit.

‘Alderney should be proud of its voluntary services because they are extremely good. A lot of people could have said they were off to watch the football but they all came out.

‘Everyone pulled the stops out.’