Team of 65 medics treat tough guys
More than 65 first aiders were drafted on site for this year's annual Tough Guy contest.
The team of St John Ambulance volunteers treated 53 people for minor injuries, while three others were taken to hospital for further treatment following the competition in Perton, South Staffordshire.
Thousands of people took part in the extreme assault course, which saw them leaping through flames, wire barricades, thick mud and freezing water.
The team of medical volunteers also included 12 emergency transport attendants, two paramedics, three doctors and a nurse who set up first aid tents around the course.
Four cycling paramedics, who had full medical kits, were also on hand. Maureen Watkin, St John Ambulance event manager, said: "The weather wasn't on our side as it was very wet and cold and the ground was very muddy but even so it was an enjoyable day.
"This is a major event and with the nature of the obstacles, it is a challenging location for our teams, but we were prepared for every eventuality and the event passed over smoothly."
The popular event, which is held at South Perton Farm is widely seen as one of the toughest assault courses in the world. It is believed around 7,000 people took part in this year's event. Controversially this year's event had a First World War theme, with all of the challenges named after conflicts such as The Somme.
The event is organised by Billy Wilson, and on its website is described as 'a window of opportunity to test oneself on every discipline in life, in one day'.
It adds: "Tough Guy is the nightmare of being chased by a herd of stallions.
Your only escape route is a mighty and revered obstacle course."
Typically each year around a third of participants fail to complete the challenging obstacle course.
