Students hack it at nuclear leak simulation

A TRAINING exercise, involving journalism students reporting a fictional leak at a nuclear power station, provided – for three students in particular – special mention, as well as an invaluable education.

Andrew Davis-Cole, Mark Henderson and Manisha Singh were among a group of students invited to assist nuclear power people, British Energy, simulate what might happen in the wake of an actual leak.

The trio are from the Scottish Centre for Journalism Studies, which is based at Strathclyde University, in Glasgow.

They and fellow students assisted British Energy staff in handling a possible emergency leakage at Torness Power Station, in East Lothian.

As well as well as involving the emergency services, the simulation also involved key British Energy staff having to handle a press pack – played by the students.

By all accounts, the students played the role of haranguing hacks to perfection.