Police are investigating after a fireman totalled a $400,000 fire truck in a training exercise when it tipped over during a high speed turn.

Our picture on the right shows the scene after the blunder which sent debris flying over 300 feet.

The driver escaped serious injury.

BAS Serco vice president and chief executive officer Richard Savard had little to say ahead of the official probe.

He said: “It was a bone fide training activity whereby the vehicle responds to a simulated accident. There was a tip-over.”

He said fire trucks have a high centre of gravity and similar accidents have occurred in North America.

“It is not uncommon within the airport fire fighting community.”

He was unable to comment on the speed or turn circle involved but added the driver involved was a good employee with experience.

“I don’t see any issue in that regard.”

One airport source said the ten-year old vehicle, which is one of a fleet of three, was a wreck with debris scattered over 300 feet during the 7 a.m. accident yesterday which also led to gallons of foam spilling onto the taxiway.

The crash means the airport is down to the bare minimum of two appliances.

The driver, who suffered minor scrapes, was taken to hospital for observation but no other people were injured in the accident which did not affect the air schedule.

Airport General Manager Jim Howes said immediate steps were being taken to have the vehicle replaced.

Fire truck wrecked in training exercise