PICTURED: Emergency services and rail staff tackle Bromley mock car and train crash

Around 250 emergency service personnel, Southeastern and Network Rail staff and other volunteers took part in the five-hour exercise from 12pm.

Organised by London Fire Brigade, exact details were kept under wraps until it began to ensure the day was as realistic as possible for everyone taking part.

The exercise involved a staged road traffic accident on Lansdowne Road bridge just north of Sundridge Park station and a train derailment between Sundridge Park station and Bromley North.

Bexley fire borough commander Richard Welch had warned residents in advance as the scenario would look “pretty realistic” and endeavoured to keep disruption to a minimum.

Emergency services on scene at the mock car crash on Lansdowne Road bridge

He said: “Whilst this scenario may appear worrying and rail crashes are extremely rare, exercises like this are a vital way of practising our skills and ensuring that we are ready should there ever be a major incident in the capital.

“Days like this are a chance for firefighters to practise search and rescue skills as well as testing how we work with other agencies in the event of a major incident.”

Train services were not affected as the Sundridge Park to Bromley North line is not used on Sundays.

Lansdowne Road bridge was closed to pedestrians on the day.

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Volunteers from the Railway Industry First Aid Association (RIFAA) posed as 100 casualties in need of rescue.

One of the volunteer 'casualties'

The scenario was devised by London Fire Brigade with support from Network Rail, Southeastern, Southern Rail and the British Transport Police.

London Ambulance Service, Met Police and Bromley Council also took part in the training.