0:00:02 > 0:00:06Rural Britain has some of the most challenging environments in the world.
0:00:06 > 0:00:12In Scotland, the mountains, lochs and coastline encourage tourists and locals to get out into the wilds.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15But with that comes danger.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25The emergency services north of the border have to deal with
0:00:25 > 0:00:27extreme challenges every day.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29SIREN WAILS
0:00:29 > 0:00:32Come on! We need to get through!
0:00:32 > 0:00:35From severe weather and treacherous terrain...
0:00:35 > 0:00:38- Is the pain getting worse, do you think?- Yes.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41..to covering huge distances on country roads
0:00:41 > 0:00:43with time against them.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47I don't know if it's a collapse on the high street in Lockerbie.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49They work around the clock,
0:00:49 > 0:00:52battling against some of the most difficult situations.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57We'll be right at the heart of the action,
0:00:57 > 0:01:01side-by-side with air rescue, saving lives,
0:01:01 > 0:01:05on the road with paramedics, caring for the injured,
0:01:05 > 0:01:08and following the police, fighting crime, as the emergency services
0:01:08 > 0:01:13work together to pick up, patch up and protect the public
0:01:13 > 0:01:15in rural communities.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18This is Countryside 999.
0:01:36 > 0:01:41Coming up, the Royal Navy race to save a critically injured walker.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52Wintery roads cause chaos for police in Dumfries.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54Nobody in their right mind
0:01:54 > 0:01:57should have attempted to drive through this.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00And paramedics face the challenge of reaching
0:02:00 > 0:02:04the elderly in scattered communities.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08It may be that the GP's upgraded the call to an emergency.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20Britain's countryside is a magnet for people seeking
0:02:20 > 0:02:23the pleasures of outdoor life.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27But adventure can sometimes lead to accidents.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31In the Lake District between 2006 and 2011,
0:02:31 > 0:02:35there was a dramatic 50% increase in hill rescues.
0:02:35 > 0:02:392010 was the busiest year, with 600 incidents.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45Taking the strain are emergency services,
0:02:45 > 0:02:47like the Royal Navy search and rescue team
0:02:47 > 0:02:50at HMS Gannet, near Prestwick.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54They cover a huge area, to the top of Scotland,
0:02:54 > 0:02:58across to Northern Ireland and down to the Lake District.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05It's 12:40pm when observer, or navigator, Phil Gamble takes
0:03:05 > 0:03:06an emergency call.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08Yeah, take that. Yeah.
0:03:08 > 0:03:09Helvellyn.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16OK, we've got a man with a head injury on Swirral Edge.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19Conscious but breathing, but is worsening.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21So Lake District, Helvellyn.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24A 60-year-old hill walker has
0:03:24 > 0:03:29fallen off a cliff at the Lake District's highest fell, Helvellyn.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33His injuries are severe, so the crew must scramble fast.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38'Rescue 177. Good afternoon. Over.'
0:03:54 > 0:03:58The team are heading 90 miles south to the Eastern Fell range.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01The walker has fallen from a ridge that's particularly
0:04:01 > 0:04:04treacherous in bad weather.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18The accident has happened in an extremely remote area,
0:04:18 > 0:04:21completely inaccessible by road. With such severe injuries,
0:04:21 > 0:04:25the man's best hope is to be rescued by helicopter.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40Emotionally, going down there, you're on a high
0:04:40 > 0:04:44because you know you've got this guy who needs immediate assistance.
0:04:44 > 0:04:50Transit down, the weather was fine, but we had reports of low clouds in the Lakes and snowstorms as well.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55The quickest method of rescue would be to winch the casualty
0:04:55 > 0:04:59up into the helicopter, but they'll need clear visibility.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17As the Sea King makes the final approach to the ridge,
0:05:17 > 0:05:20it hits a wall of low cloud.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23If there's any hope of carrying out a rescue,
0:05:23 > 0:05:27they need a weather window, and they need it fast.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37Bad weather affects all our emergency services.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41But rain, snow and sleet can cause havoc on country roads.
0:05:43 > 0:05:48This winter, Britain experienced the second wettest year on record,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51leaving hundreds of homes and cars seriously damaged
0:05:51 > 0:05:53and even some fatalities.
0:05:54 > 0:05:59In Dumfries, the River Nith often overflows in heavy rainfall,
0:05:59 > 0:06:00and when it does
0:06:00 > 0:06:04the emergency services are the first port of call for flood victims.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06SIREN WAILS
0:06:06 > 0:06:10Police constable of 15 years Matt Tate
0:06:10 > 0:06:15and PC Ross Dixon are responding to a 999 call.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34Last November, a man died trapped in his car during a flood,
0:06:34 > 0:06:37so the officers race to make sure no-one's at risk.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43Did you see somebody get out of the car?
0:06:45 > 0:06:50Fortunately, the car is empty, but now they need to find the owner.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54Nobody in their right mind should have attempted to drive through this.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58Must be a foot and a bit deep.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02You can see it's all flowing down into the college as well.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05But that doesn't mean some people still won't try.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13Before anyone else has the same idea,
0:07:13 > 0:07:16Matt and Ross tape off the area and head to a nearby college,
0:07:16 > 0:07:20where they believe the owner, Jackie, is taking refuge.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26- Jackie.- Yes.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31Your car, what's happening now?
0:07:37 > 0:07:38All right.
0:07:38 > 0:07:44I was coming down the road from Bank End and the road is very wet.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46I didn't see a "flooded" sign there,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49though the road in places was flooded.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52I was only doing about 20, 15 mph.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55I just went in and it got deeper and deeper.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58By the time I realised I was in trouble, it was too late to go back.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01So I was stuck basically.
0:08:02 > 0:08:03Who's speaking?
0:08:03 > 0:08:08The problem is, once a car gets flooded, the engine can seize up.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11Matt calls a specialist recovery truck.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14Roger, that's received just for the log.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18I've spoken to a recovery agent and they should be about 15, 20 minutes.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21Hopefully we'll have it recovered within about half an hour.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27Once the recovery vehicles arrive, the car is salvaged
0:08:27 > 0:08:29and Jackie is taken home.
0:08:34 > 0:08:39It's pretty bad. An awful lot of water coming off the hills.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42I anticipate it won't be the last call we get today regarding
0:08:42 > 0:08:46that sort of situation but, hey ho, we just deal with it as it comes in.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49Time for a cup of tea.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00In the Lake District, a man was out hill-walking with his daughter
0:09:00 > 0:09:05when he fell 100ft down a cliff. He's very seriously injured.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08The Royal Navy search and rescue team have been called out,
0:09:08 > 0:09:11as he urgently needs to get to hospital.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15But bad weather is causing a dangerous delay.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20When we got there it was a shock how low the cloud base was
0:09:20 > 0:09:22and we was in a snowstorm as well.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26It's difficult, adrenaline is high and you just want to get them
0:09:26 > 0:09:29to casualty as soon as possible, but you are putting yourself
0:09:29 > 0:09:32and the aircraft in danger if you're going into cloud.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41The helicopter gets as near to the casualty as possible.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43But he's on a steep cliff covered in cloud.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47It's just too dangerous for them to fly any closer.
0:09:55 > 0:09:56They have no option
0:09:56 > 0:09:59but to land on boggy ground further down the valley.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Observer Phil Gamble keeps in constant contact with
0:10:17 > 0:10:20the Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22They are with the casualty higher up the mountainside,
0:10:22 > 0:10:24attempting to stabilise him.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51It's frustrating for the helicopter crew, but they have no choice.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56The mountain rescue team need to lower the injured man hundreds
0:10:56 > 0:11:00of metres down the side of the crag by rope, to beneath the cloud line.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25They must keep the helicopter running to prevent it
0:11:25 > 0:11:28sinking into the boggy ground.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31But with every minute ticking by it's burning up precious fuel.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58The seriousness of the injured walker's condition means
0:11:58 > 0:12:01he has to get to hospital urgently.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04All the crew can do right now is wait.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Later, the life of the 60-year-old hill walker
0:12:13 > 0:12:16hangs in the balance, as the helicopter edges closer to him.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Dumfries Police deal with the consequences
0:12:24 > 0:12:26of treacherous wintry conditions.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28The driver has driven off the road
0:12:28 > 0:12:33and gone through someone's front fence into a garden.
0:12:33 > 0:12:34SIREN WAILS
0:12:34 > 0:12:39But first, we join paramedics as they race to a woman
0:12:39 > 0:12:41who's had a suspected stroke.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45The casualty is apparently conscious and breathing.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57The wide expanses and long winding roads of Britain's countryside
0:12:57 > 0:13:00can provide challenges for the emergency services,
0:13:00 > 0:13:03particularly when it comes to reaching the older generation.
0:13:06 > 0:13:11In Dumfries and Galloway, over 30% of the population are aged over 60.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13Many live in remote areas.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19For paramedics here, the time taken to reach these patients can
0:13:19 > 0:13:22mean the difference between life and death.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27Dumfries trainee ambulance technician Hayley Skinner
0:13:27 > 0:13:32has always wanted to be on the frontline of saving lives.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34It was always one of these dream jobs that I seen
0:13:34 > 0:13:36that I never thought I could do.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39Then eventually I said to myself,
0:13:39 > 0:13:41"You want something hard enough you'll get it."
0:13:41 > 0:13:44So I did it and here I am.
0:13:44 > 0:13:45Loving it.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49A 999 call has just come in.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53Hayley is responding along with her colleague, Elaine May.
0:13:53 > 0:13:58Got a call, a 90-year-old female with a query stroke.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02Casualty is apparently conscious and breathing.
0:14:05 > 0:14:06The patient, Nancy,
0:14:06 > 0:14:10lives a mile and a half away from the ambulance depot in Dumfries.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14Elaine puts her right foot down on icy roads,
0:14:14 > 0:14:18battling bright sunlight, and gets there in four minutes flat.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Just a sharp scratch, that's it.
0:14:22 > 0:14:2690-year-old Nancy is sitting up but unresponsive.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29A stroke is a strong possibility.
0:14:32 > 0:14:37Nancy? This is going to squeeze your arm and take your blood pressure, OK?
0:14:40 > 0:14:43- Is she usually a lot more responsive?- Definitely.
0:14:43 > 0:14:48She never recognised me today, she is usually quite good.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50Yeah, her blood pressure's OK.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53Yesterday, Nancy had a fall.
0:14:53 > 0:14:58When her carers came in this morning she wasn't her normal talkative self.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00They immediately called 999.
0:15:00 > 0:15:05- Do you think she's worse today than she was yesterday?- Definitely.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08She's actually got a lot worse since I got her up.
0:15:08 > 0:15:09Right, OK.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13Nancy, I'm just going to take your temperature, all right?
0:15:13 > 0:15:17I'm going to pop this wee thing in your ear, all right?
0:15:17 > 0:15:20You're going to hear a wee beep, you're all right.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24Elaine checks if Nancy is able to communicate clearly,
0:15:24 > 0:15:25a possible symptom of a stroke.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36SPEAKS INCOHERENTLY
0:15:37 > 0:15:40Hayley spots another possible symptom,
0:15:40 > 0:15:42weakness in Nancy's hands.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46Couldn't squeeze my hand, couldn't lift her arms.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48Nancy?
0:15:48 > 0:15:52Can you squeeze my hand? That's good.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56What about this one, can you squeeze this hand? Squeeze it.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Unable to grip and clearly confused,
0:16:02 > 0:16:05Nancy has almost certainly had a stroke.
0:16:05 > 0:16:06She needs to get to hospital.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12We'll take you to hospital, OK?
0:16:12 > 0:16:16Onto your feet. Up we go, there we are.
0:16:16 > 0:16:21Just onto this chair, you're on. That's you.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24Pop your feet on there.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31Nancy's home is five minutes' drive from Dumfries hospital.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34But in this rural area not everyone lives so close.
0:16:36 > 0:16:41There have been times we've been out to very rural places where
0:16:41 > 0:16:45people are really old and very unwell.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49Sometimes you think, is it time to get into the town,
0:16:49 > 0:16:51get closer to a hospital?
0:16:51 > 0:16:53But they are just so independent,
0:16:53 > 0:16:56they just want to be living in their own house.
0:16:56 > 0:16:57They just take it on board
0:16:57 > 0:17:01that they are going to have to wait for an ambulance.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03Do you want to stand up with me?
0:17:03 > 0:17:04Yes, thank you.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08- That's it.- That's you, Nancy.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11Just a wee swing over onto there. That's you.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20The old ones are absolutely fantastic. They never complain.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24They can take so much more pain than the younger people.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26Such lovely old people.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29OK, Nancy, I'm going to give you a wee drop of oxygen.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32It'll help you breathe a bit better, all right?
0:17:32 > 0:17:36- I need to place this over your face, all right?- Yes.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39OK. There you are.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42Just breathe normal for me.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44We're just going to take you up to the hospital now.
0:17:46 > 0:17:47Placed her on a little bit of oxygen,
0:17:47 > 0:17:51just to aid with her oxygen saturation and her breathing.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54We're just a short distance from the hospital
0:17:54 > 0:17:57so we'll be there in a couple of minutes.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00OK, that's us here, we'll just get you out.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02OK, thank you.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06We'll get you back into the warmth.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11Nancy is swiftly delivered into the hands of the hospital team,
0:18:11 > 0:18:13who will be able to thoroughly assess her condition.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28Over 90% of Scotland's landmass is rural,
0:18:28 > 0:18:31with the vast majority of the country classified as remote.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36So the onset of winter can provide serious challenges
0:18:36 > 0:18:37for the emergency services.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44Flooding here is treacherous enough but, as temperatures plummet,
0:18:44 > 0:18:49ice has the potential to turn many roads into lethal skating rinks.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59It's 8am and PCs Matt Tate and Stuart Rae
0:18:59 > 0:19:02are carrying out routine winter checks.
0:19:03 > 0:19:08Then a call comes in about an accident just south of Dumfries.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12Just a report that a driver has driven off the road
0:19:12 > 0:19:15and gone through someone's front fence into a garden.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34It sounds like the driver is uninjured,
0:19:34 > 0:19:37but Matt and Stuart need to keep all options open.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59It's not difficult to spot the problem.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07A car has skidded off the road and into William's garden.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11I was in bed when I heard the crash.
0:20:13 > 0:20:14What the heck was that?
0:20:14 > 0:20:16And I rushed to the window
0:20:16 > 0:20:20and of course my first thoughts was for whoever was in the car.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23However, the wee girl, by now, was out the car
0:20:23 > 0:20:27and I popped me head out the window and asked if she was all right.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29She said yes.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34Quickly changed and came down and she seemed all right.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37Just a wee bit upset. I told her not to worry
0:20:37 > 0:20:39and the main thing was she was here to tell the tale.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41Do you want to make your way towards our van?
0:20:41 > 0:20:45Matt questions the driver of the car, 20-year-old Amy.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48OK, I will go through the formal part of the procedure.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52I've got to require you under the terms of Section 172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988
0:20:52 > 0:20:55to identify to me the name of the driver of that white Ford Ka.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57It's a legal requirement.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- I'm asking you to identify who was driving that car, please.- It was me.
0:21:02 > 0:21:07It's possible that ice wasn't the only factor involved in Amy losing control of the car.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10Before he establishes exactly what happened,
0:21:10 > 0:21:13Matt needs to check if alcohol's involved.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18Do you agree to provide a specimen of breath and, if not,
0:21:18 > 0:21:21- what is your reason for refusing? - That's OK.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24Been breathalysed before? No?
0:21:24 > 0:21:27I'll ask you to put your mouth around the end of the mouthpiece.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30Taking a nice, deep breath, form a good seal and then start to blow.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33A little bit longer, a bit more. That's fine.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36Works in a traffic light system. Zero - pass, one - fail.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39Yes, that is fine. You have passed.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41Right, Amy, I'm going to advise you,
0:21:41 > 0:21:44I'm going to ask you questions in relation to the incident
0:21:44 > 0:21:47and the answers you do give will be noted and used in evidence.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50- Do you understand that?- Yes. - I've got to write this down,
0:21:50 > 0:21:54so I'll ask you just to explain in your own words what happened,
0:21:54 > 0:21:58but please, don't go off at a gallop because I can't write that quick.
0:21:58 > 0:22:03I tried to brake but the car just sort of spun
0:22:03 > 0:22:06and I ended up in the fence.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10I think I hit a post first, actually.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- So you tried to brake and the car just spun?- Yeah.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19It was like I had no brakes at all.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- And you hit a post and then went into the front garden?- Yes.
0:22:22 > 0:22:27Blatantly obvious that it's been caused by the hill
0:22:27 > 0:22:29and the icy road conditions this morning. OK.
0:22:31 > 0:22:32Amy is not alone.
0:22:32 > 0:22:37In 2011, nearly 4,000 people were injured and 32 people were killed
0:22:37 > 0:22:42in accidents caused by snow or ice on the road surface.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47Just obviously...need to be a bit more aware in the mornings.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50- I know there's nothing much you can do but...- There was no grit on the road.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54- No, the roads are treacherous. - I thought there would be, cos it's a bus route.
0:22:54 > 0:22:59- Yes. Any questions for me? - No, that's fine.- That's grand.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06While a recovery vehicle arrives to pick up what's left of Amy's car,
0:23:06 > 0:23:09she waits to be picked up by her mum.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13It's been a nasty experience, but she's had a lucky escape.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19It's going to be put down to the road weather condition.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23There'll be no criminal charges against the girl for careless or dangerous driving.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27Really that's about it, the main thing is that she's walked away
0:23:27 > 0:23:29with...unhurt, and it's just a bit of minor damage
0:23:29 > 0:23:32and the insurance companies will pick up that
0:23:32 > 0:23:35so we'll disappear now and wait for the next one,
0:23:35 > 0:23:38because I anticipate there's going to be more coming this morning.
0:23:38 > 0:23:43I've double-checked with the control room, the roads department,
0:23:43 > 0:23:45the council is aware. It's on their list of roads to grit.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48I just hope I don't need to phone you again!
0:23:48 > 0:23:49MAN LAUGHS
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Let's hope not. No, that's us.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05In the Lake District, the Royal Navy search-and-rescue team
0:24:05 > 0:24:08are desperately trying to reach a critically injured hill-walker.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12But low cloud and wintry weather meant
0:24:12 > 0:24:14they had to land in a valley, unable to do anything
0:24:14 > 0:24:18except wait for the Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21They are lowering the casualty several hundred feet,
0:24:21 > 0:24:24by rope, to beneath the cloud base.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31For co-pilot Croc, November signals the arrival of the most
0:24:31 > 0:24:34challenging season for the search-and-rescue team.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11At last, the mountain rescue team finally appear below the cloud line
0:25:11 > 0:25:15with the seriously injured hill-walker.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17Now, every second counts.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41Pilot Lloydy hovers the helicopter by the side of the mountain,
0:25:41 > 0:25:44as winchman Lee prepares for a rapid uplift.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55The terrain is too steep and treacherous for a landing,
0:25:55 > 0:25:57so they have to lower the winch.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24First, the mountain rescue team's medic, Dr John Ellerton,
0:26:24 > 0:26:28is winched up to receive the critically injured walker, Peter.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34Right now, Peter's life is hanging in the balance.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56Two hours after the Navy received the emergency call,
0:26:56 > 0:26:59Peter is finally on board the helicopter.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03Roger, lower the winch. Stop the winch.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13He's been lifted from the hill, but the battle is far from over.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20Peter was walking with his daughter Rosie
0:27:20 > 0:27:23when he fell 100 feet down the rocky mountainside.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28This photo was taken just minutes before he fell.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34His foot just went from under him.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37He fell onto his side and I thought "He'll get back up on a minute,"
0:27:37 > 0:27:42but he kept going and he kind of rolled, and as he rolled
0:27:42 > 0:27:47he built up some momentum. I knew straight away that it was serious.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50I just knew in my stomach. I just knew.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57Rosie has to travel to the hospital by road,
0:27:57 > 0:28:01leaving medic John battling to save her dad's life.
0:28:14 > 0:28:19Peter may also have spine and neck injuries. His condition is critical.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24They must get him to the nearest major hospital in Newcastle.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26Speed is of the essence.
0:28:29 > 0:28:34Where he was, in the Lake District, they wanted to get him to Newcastle.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38I have no idea how long that would take them by road.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41But to get them from that position down to a car at least
0:28:41 > 0:28:43would certainly add another couple of hours.
0:28:43 > 0:28:48For us to be on scene and pick up from where the mountain rescue team left off
0:28:48 > 0:28:53certainly enabled that casualty to get to the next level of care as quickly as possible.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01Continue down slowly, and left.
0:29:11 > 0:29:1432 minutes after being taken off the mountain, Peter is delivered
0:29:14 > 0:29:18into the hands of the waiting team at Newcastle hospital.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23By road, it would have taken at least two hours.
0:29:25 > 0:29:30My dad got taken to Intensive Care at Newcastle.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33I waited in the family room and then went to see him.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35It was just like a scene from TV, it was crazy.
0:29:35 > 0:29:39There was blood on the floor, he had his head in the blocks,
0:29:39 > 0:29:42there was machines going everywhere.
0:29:42 > 0:29:46He broke his spine and his neck, so overall
0:29:46 > 0:29:48there was three spinal injuries.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51He'd hit his head, he'd cracked a few ribs
0:29:51 > 0:29:53and he'd broken his arms.
0:30:03 > 0:30:10Dumfries and Galloway NHS looks after a scattered population of nearly 150,000 people
0:30:10 > 0:30:14living in an area of around 2,500 square miles.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21There's a large, ageing population in this area.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24With more people aged over 60 living here than anywhere else in Scotland,
0:30:24 > 0:30:28they often need the help of the local paramedics.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30I'm just going to pop you on this wee chair.
0:30:30 > 0:30:35Earlier, paramedics Hayley and Elaine took Nancy to hospital
0:30:35 > 0:30:36after a suspected stroke.
0:30:38 > 0:30:44Now their colleagues Derek Rankine and Jennifer Irving have just received a call.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46Ten minutes, on the way in.
0:31:10 > 0:31:14The patient, Flo, lives in the rural village of Ae,
0:31:14 > 0:31:16ten miles out of Dumfries.
0:31:18 > 0:31:23With black ice on the roads, student Darren keeps the speed down.
0:31:23 > 0:31:28- But then a worrying update comes through. - RADIO BLEEPS
0:31:28 > 0:31:29Go ahead.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40We've now been updated
0:31:40 > 0:31:44that the GP's upgraded the call to an emergency
0:31:44 > 0:31:47cos he's worried about the patient's condition.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51Whether it's deteriorating, or he maybe doesn't want
0:31:51 > 0:31:54to leave the patient at home too long...
0:31:54 > 0:31:59Now the case is an emergency, the ambulance needs to speed up.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05There's a lot of black ice on the road, so we'll have to be careful.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09Even though it's an emergency, we'll still have to take our time,
0:32:09 > 0:32:13cos, obviously, we're no good to the patient if we end up in a ditch.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17They need to get to Flo as quickly as possible.
0:32:34 > 0:32:3820 minutes after the call, they arrive at Flo's home,
0:32:38 > 0:32:41where she lives with her husband, Wilf.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44Come on. Sorry.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47- Are you normally shaky like that, Flo?- No, it's usually that one.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50- It's usually that one that shakes. - Yeah. That's normal for you?
0:32:50 > 0:32:52- Yeah.- Right.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55Flo's struggling to breathe.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58They use a defibrillator to monitor her heart
0:32:58 > 0:33:01and give her oxygen to assist her breathing.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05- What's your dog's name?- Meg.- Meg.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09Dogs can sense when there's something wrong, can't they?
0:33:09 > 0:33:12So was this bothering you last night as well, Flo?
0:33:16 > 0:33:18- Worse this morning?- That's right.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22The oxygen is helping, but Flo needs to get to hospital.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25Husband Wilf is coming with her.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29We've got you, Flo, it's OK.
0:33:29 > 0:33:30That's it.
0:33:30 > 0:33:34Just reverse like that, Flo, till you feel the chair behind you.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37- I've got you.- That's it.- Thank you. - You're down.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41- Right.- And what we need you to do, Flo, just put your hands together, in the middle,
0:33:41 > 0:33:44- and we'll wrap you up. Have you been in one of these chairs before? - A few times.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47All right. So you know what's going to happen?
0:33:47 > 0:33:51- You'll feel a bit helpless... - Uh-huh.- ..but just try and relax as best you can.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55Right. One, two, three.
0:33:55 > 0:33:59Flo is taken to the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.
0:33:59 > 0:34:03En route, Derek finds out important information for the waiting hospital staff.
0:34:05 > 0:34:09Are you OK? Do you normally sleep propped up with pillows?
0:34:11 > 0:34:16Three pillows? Yeah? So if you lie flat you can't get your breath?
0:34:16 > 0:34:19Have you had breakfast this morning?
0:34:22 > 0:34:25- But you've not been sick or anything like that?- No.- That's fine.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29Wilf has come along for moral support,
0:34:29 > 0:34:32but he's having a little trouble with his hearing aid.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34Are you trying to get your hearing aid?
0:34:36 > 0:34:38Aw, right.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43Flo and Wilf have been married for over six decades.
0:34:43 > 0:34:47- 64 years.- That's good, isn't it?
0:34:47 > 0:34:49- 65 next year.- Very good.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52Oh, Lord! DEREK LAUGHS
0:34:52 > 0:34:56With oxygen, Flo's breathing has stabilised.
0:34:59 > 0:35:04That's us just at the hospital, Flo. We'll take in this bed that you're on. It's on wheels.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07And we'll wheel you into the A&E department.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13The worry is, when you leave like that,
0:35:13 > 0:35:17the more short of breath you become, obviously the weaker you're going to become as well.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21The fluid can lead to infections in the chest,
0:35:21 > 0:35:23whether it's just a routine chest infection
0:35:23 > 0:35:27or, worst-case scenario, it can lead to pneumonia,
0:35:27 > 0:35:32which can obviously be quite serious, especially in the elderly.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35For Derek and the team,
0:35:35 > 0:35:39being able to help people like Flo and Wilf makes the job worthwhile.
0:35:41 > 0:35:45It's nice to have patients like that.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48It makes a big difference
0:35:48 > 0:35:52when you feel you're doing something that's helping a lovely couple like that.
0:36:08 > 0:36:12It's been a busy winter for the Dumfries Police.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15They've been dealing with the fallout from wet and icy weather
0:36:15 > 0:36:18across the countryside, and it's not over yet.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24PC Ross Dixon is back on shift with PC Andy Wheeler.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27A 999 call has just come in.
0:36:29 > 0:36:34We've just received a call from a motorist down near Southerness,
0:36:34 > 0:36:37which is at the sort of southern end of our beat.
0:36:37 > 0:36:42A car's stuck in the road. It seems that she's possibly been trying
0:36:42 > 0:36:45to turn the vehicle and she's got some of the wheels stuck
0:36:45 > 0:36:47in the soft verge, so we're going to get down there
0:36:47 > 0:36:50and see if we can help her out, or assist in any way.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55Within 20 minutes, they've found the stranded vehicle,
0:36:55 > 0:36:57which is blocking a busy road.
0:37:04 > 0:37:09Certainly it's well bogged down at the front. We'll go and have a look and see what we can do.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12Driver Fiona's attempts to move the car
0:37:12 > 0:37:14have so far been unsuccessful.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17It's now wedged across the road by a bus stop.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27Ross gets stuck in.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29ENGINE REVS
0:37:31 > 0:37:35But, even with both officers putting their backs into it,
0:37:35 > 0:37:37the car won't budge.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44Ross has another idea.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47Hang on a minute. I'll tell you what,
0:37:47 > 0:37:50I'm going to drive to that farm down there and see if we can get a tractor.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56Being in the country has its benefits.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59With a farm 200 yards away,
0:37:59 > 0:38:03Ross is hoping there'll be someone with access to a tractor to help tow the car.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12How are you getting on, mate? Are you all right? Sorry to bother you.
0:38:12 > 0:38:16There's a car stuck on the grass verge up the road there,
0:38:16 > 0:38:20just at the junction. You couldn't give us a hand with a tractor, could you?
0:38:20 > 0:38:22Just to try and get her out, aye.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25We cannae push it out and we cannae do anything.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29Would that be all right?
0:38:31 > 0:38:33No, we haven't.
0:38:33 > 0:38:37- Something like that'd be great. Cheers, mate. Thank you.- OK.
0:38:41 > 0:38:45With the farmer to the rescue, plus some Good Samaritans,
0:38:45 > 0:38:48and a length of sturdy rope...
0:38:52 > 0:38:56..it's not long before Fiona's car is no longer stuck in the mud.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08Yeah, this sort of thing quite often happens in a rural area.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12We need to get something moved quickly if it's in a bad position.
0:39:12 > 0:39:17It wasn't too bad here, but you can see how we all work together, and the farmer's quite happily come out,
0:39:17 > 0:39:20and dragged the car out for everybody, and it sorts it out.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26For Fiona, it's a huge relief.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44These are the things we do, you know.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47Very, very wet. Very muddy,
0:39:47 > 0:39:52and, yeah, you don't have to save a life to save somebody's day.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55So, aye, it's a good result, at the end of the day.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04But sometimes it is all about saving lives.
0:40:04 > 0:40:10In the Lake District, a hillwalker, Peter, fell 100ft off a mountain,
0:40:10 > 0:40:12leaving him critically injured.
0:40:14 > 0:40:18The Royal Navy search and rescue helicopter was dispatched to airlift him.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22But bad weather hampered them and they lost valuable time.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27Peter's daughter Rosie was with him when the accident happened.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32The worst bit was waiting for the helicopter.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34It felt like it went on forever, cos I thought,
0:40:34 > 0:40:36"He's still up there. My dad's still cold.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40"He needs to be in a hospital. That's the best place for him."
0:40:40 > 0:40:43So as soon as I saw the helicopter I was so relieved.
0:40:45 > 0:40:49On board the helicopter, the medics battled to keep Peter alive
0:40:49 > 0:40:51whilst flying directly to Newcastle hospital.
0:41:02 > 0:41:08The medical team at Newcastle carried out a 14-hour operation on Peter's spine.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13His family feared the worst,
0:41:13 > 0:41:17but he pulled through, and now, three months later,
0:41:17 > 0:41:19he's on the road to recovery.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24I still need to wear this corset thing to protect my back.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27But hopefully next week
0:41:27 > 0:41:32the specialist will be able to say whether I have to continue to wear the neck brace and this brace,
0:41:32 > 0:41:35so hopefully next week the answer will be, "I don't have to."
0:41:35 > 0:41:38That'll give me a little bit more freedom of movement.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41He can walk again.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44He's got no serious permanent head injuries.
0:41:44 > 0:41:48It's absolutely amazing. All he had was a few broken bones and that was it,
0:41:48 > 0:41:49from a 100ft fall.
0:41:51 > 0:41:56Considering the kind of state I was in following the accident,
0:41:56 > 0:41:59I guess I'm lucky to be alive.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03But as for more adventures in the mountains...
0:42:03 > 0:42:08I think me and my dad will still go walking, but not mountains, just little hills, probably!
0:42:20 > 0:42:2590-year-old Nancy did have a stroke, but is now recovering back at home.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30For Wilf and Flo, though, the news is not so positive.
0:42:30 > 0:42:34The strain on Flo's heart was just too much
0:42:34 > 0:42:41and sadly she passed away, just five days after being taken into hospital by the paramedics.
0:42:41 > 0:42:45Flo's husband Wilf sent us this photo of the two of them in happier days.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51Peter's doing well.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54He's had his neck and back brace removed and can walk with a stick.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56He hopes to get home soon.
0:43:21 > 0:43:25Subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing by Red Bee Media Ltd