Niagara Emergency Task Unit put through its paces

Heavily armed officers with Niagara’s Emergency Task Unit stormed a St Catharines city bus Thursday afternoon, attempting to rescue five people taken hostage by a deranged gunman.

It was all part of a training exercise the ETU goes through at least twice each year. The drill also tested the skills of the hostage negotiators and the explosives disposal unit.

The Emergency Task Unit responds to every call where lives are potentially at risk.