The Crash That Proves Looks Can Be Deceiving
Two high-speed collisions. Minimal visible damage. Hidden, life-threatening injuries.
Watch as French firefighters and Renault put vehicle safety — and rescue skills — to the test in this dramatic crash simulation featuring Ruth Lee manikins.
Real-World Lessons from Châteauroux
Earlier this year, in Châteauroux, French firefighters took part in a prequalifying event for the national Car Crash Rescue Challenge — a prestigious test of skill, speed, and precision in vehicle extrication. As part of the event, Renault partnered with organisers to stage a powerful crash test, giving both firefighters and the public an inside look at the realities of modern vehicle safety.
The Crash Test
Two high-impact collision scenarios were recreated:
- A rear-end crash at 50 km/h
- A frontal impact at 80 km/h
Thanks to modern engineering, the passenger compartments in both cars were remarkably intact after impact — exactly the point Renault wanted to highlight. New vehicles offer exceptional cabin protection, shielding occupants from much of the external damage.
A Hidden Danger
However, appearances can be deceptive. As Renault’s experts explained, even when the car — and its occupants — look “fine,” serious internal injuries are still highly likely. Internal bleeding, organ damage, and other life-threatening trauma can exist without any obvious external signs.
For firefighters, paramedics, and rescue crews, this means every patient must be treated with caution — thorough assessment, careful extrication, and no assumptions based on appearances.
Ruth Lee Manikins in the Driver’s Seat
To create a safe but realistic training environment, both crash-tested vehicles carried Ruth Lee Duty Range manikins as passengers, kindly donated by our French distributors at Hydrotop Secours. These manikins simulate real casualties, allowing crews to practise assessment and removal exactly as they would in a real rescue.
Following the demonstration, the vehicles — complete with manikins still in place — were displayed for attendees. Seeing the undamaged interiors in person reinforced the message: what you can’t see may be the most dangerous of all.
Ruth Lee Manikins in Crash Testing Worldwide
This isn’t the first time our manikins have been used to demonstrate the realities of road traffic collisions.
- UK Television Spotlight (2025)
Channel 4’s recent programme PILE UP: World’s Biggest Crash Test recreated a multi-car motorway collision to better understand how real drivers react in high-pressure scenarios. All vehicles were remotely driven to keep participants safe, but inside, our Duty Plus manikins played the role of passengers — adding essential realism without putting anyone at risk. The ambitious test highlighted the importance of vehicle safety systems and realistic research methods.
📺 Watch the full episode here - Australia & New Zealand Safety Campaign (2022)
In 2022, our 50kg Working at Height manikin — nicknamed VICTA (Very Important Crash Test Assistant) — was used in a controlled 54 km/h collision test by Forensic Crash Consultancy. While VICTA walked away without a scratch, the dramatic visuals and sound replicated exactly what would happen to a real person at that speed. The footage became part of a campaign for temporary traffic management in both New Zealand and Australia, and was also used to show how witness estimates of speed can vary significantly from reality.
🎥 Watch the crash test video here - Tyler Bell’s Stunt Features (2023-2025)
YouTuber Tyler Bell regularly uses Ruth Lee manikins in his high-energy stunt recreations, putting them through multiple crash scenarios for his millions of viewers. These tests not only entertain but also spark discussions about safety, impact forces, and the realities of collisions.
Check out our favourite stunt here
💡 Realistic training saves lives. Whether it’s on the training ground, in controlled crash tests, or in groundbreaking research, Ruth Lee manikins help emergency services and safety experts prepare for the challenges of the real world — where appearances can be deceiving, and every decision counts.
📩 Need tough, durable, and realistic manikins for your next training session, project, or feature film?
Get in touch with us today and find out why Ruth Lee manikins are trusted by professionals worldwide to represent casualties in the most demanding scenarios.