Rescuers train on anniversary of Kansas tornado

First responders in Kansas’ Butler County observed the 23rd anniversary of the deadly Andover tornado by brushing up on their rescue skills.

The wedge tornado that roared over south-central Kansas on April 26, 1991, killed 13 people at an Andover mobile home park.

Andy Hall of the Butler County Rescue Squad was part of the team that responded to the disaster. KSNW-TV reports that on Saturday, Hall organized a search-and-rescue exercise involving debris piled up against an overturned mobile home.

Crews spent nearly three hours digging and cutting in search of a missing husband and wife represented by mannequins. They recovered both simulated survivors, including one hiding inside a refrigerator.

Hall says bringing first responders from several agencies together for the exercise will help them during a real disaster.