0:00:02 > 0:00:07From the Highlands of Scotland to the coast of Cornwall,
0:00:07 > 0:00:11the great British countryside is spectacular.
0:00:11 > 0:00:16But we work and play in it at our peril.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19And when things go wrong,
0:00:19 > 0:00:22the emergency services race to the rescue.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25This chap is having a heart attack and we need to get him in quickly.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29We've got a cow on the road.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32Countryside policing at its finest here.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35Going hundreds of miles against the clock.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37Battling the elements,
0:00:37 > 0:00:40and braving the waves.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46From the Welsh valleys to winding country roads,
0:00:46 > 0:00:51we'll be right at the heart of the action.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54With police, fighting crime.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56I'm not arguing it, I'm reporting you for it.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58Paramedics saving lives.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04And lifeguards patrolling the seas.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08We're there as the emergency services pull together, to pick up,
0:01:08 > 0:01:11patch up and protect the public.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15This is Countryside 999.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Coming up...
0:01:36 > 0:01:40The Royal Navy Search and Rescue team race to a paragliding
0:01:40 > 0:01:43enthusiast who's smashed into a hillside in Scotland.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Right, Martin, it's going to be a bit noisy and windy, all right,
0:01:46 > 0:01:48but we'll get you out of here as soon as we can.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51And when two holidays in Cornwall go badly wrong,
0:01:51 > 0:01:54it's down to the RNLI Lifeguards...
0:01:54 > 0:01:59Three, two, one, and, lower...
0:01:59 > 0:02:02..And the staff at Penzance Urgent Care Centre...
0:02:02 > 0:02:03Does that hurt anywhere?
0:02:05 > 0:02:07Darling - your head?
0:02:07 > 0:02:09..To save the day.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25Britain's countryside is a magnet for people wanting to enjoy the outdoor life.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29But adventure can sometimes lead to accidents.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33And it's our rural emergency services who pick up the pieces.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35Like the Royal Navy Search
0:02:35 > 0:02:38and Rescue team based at HMS Gannet, near Prestwick.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41They cover a huge area that includes
0:02:41 > 0:02:44the West of Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Lake District.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50Today's five-man crew have been on a training exercise near Edinburgh.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52They've just been called to a serious paragliding
0:02:52 > 0:02:54accident in the Highlands.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57Observer Andy Drodge took the call.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15It's a life-or-death situation,
0:03:15 > 0:03:18so they're fast tracked to the pump at Edinburgh Airport.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22Rescue 177, just land on the runway, it'll be a ground taxi to
0:03:22 > 0:03:25- locator, Charlie.- Take a fuel check now, please.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31Three hours' endurance.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33Lufthansa-seven-Papa-Hotel.
0:03:33 > 0:03:38- Hold, there's a rescue helicopter to go ahead.- Lufthansa-seven-Papa Hotel. Holding...
0:03:43 > 0:03:47As the crew head north over the Firth of Forth they get an update.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06The casualty is critically injured but, without winching gear,
0:04:06 > 0:04:10the Air Ambulance team already on site can't get him off the hillside.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14But. with their on-board winch, Gannet's Search and Rescue guys
0:04:14 > 0:04:16probably can.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18That's rigged properly now.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23The casualty is on the Cairnwell,
0:04:23 > 0:04:26a mountain in the Glenshee area of the Cairngorm National Park.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31Andy and the boys know that paragliding accidents
0:04:31 > 0:04:34can be very nasty. They're prepared for the worst.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07A ski resort in winter,
0:05:07 > 0:05:11in summer, Glenshee's hills are popular with paragliders.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13The thermals and currents they use also need to be
0:05:13 > 0:05:17factored in by helicopter co-pilot Jonny Laidlaw.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42Rescue 177. We'll be on scene in two minutes.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56The Gannet boys have spotted Helimed seven-six,
0:05:56 > 0:05:59the Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02Immediately it's clear why there's a problem moving the casualty.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06Paraglider Martin has smashed into a steep rocky hillside.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10It's a difficult place to get to,
0:06:10 > 0:06:12and an even more difficult place to get someone out of.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22- But now they've reached him. - And contact.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26The race is on to get critically injured Martin off the mountain.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28All right, we're nearly there, fella.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39At the other end of the UK, Cornwall's spectacular landscapes
0:06:39 > 0:06:43and stunning coastline are popular with summer tourists.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47But holidays aren't always fun and games.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51And when things go wrong in this remote corner of the UK,
0:06:51 > 0:06:54the first port of call for many is the Urgent Care Centre
0:06:54 > 0:06:58at the West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00OK, come through.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04Holiday-makers Neil and Kerry have brought in their little boy,
0:07:04 > 0:07:08Jack, who's fallen 15 feet down a stairwell.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10- How old is Jack?- He's nearly three.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13He's nearly three. And what's happened today?
0:07:13 > 0:07:17He's fallen in-between some stairs, you know, the wind-y stairs,
0:07:17 > 0:07:20and he's gone right between them.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24- About two floors.- And where was this?- In a holiday cottage.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27Oh, in a holiday cottage. And landed...?
0:07:27 > 0:07:29On his head, apparently.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32He's literally landed on the stair.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34OK. Did he cry straightaway?
0:07:34 > 0:07:38Yes, he did, but he was very dazed and very confused.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40So he hasn't been knocked out,
0:07:40 > 0:07:43you're quite happy that he hasn't been unconscious at all?
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- No, but his eyes have been rolling. - And what time did this happen?
0:07:46 > 0:07:53- Half-an-hour ago.- Jack, hello. Are you feeling poorly?
0:07:53 > 0:07:58Did you bang your head? Can you tell me where it's hurting?
0:07:58 > 0:08:00Tell the lady where it's hurting, darling.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03Or tell your daddy where it hurts, then. Where does it hurt?
0:08:03 > 0:08:05JACK MOANS
0:08:05 > 0:08:08- And how does he seem to you? - Not right.- Not right, OK.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11I think we ought to go down to one of the cubicles
0:08:11 > 0:08:14and we need to get him undressed.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18Emergency Nurse Practitioner Julie Oliver is worried that after
0:08:18 > 0:08:20such a big fall,
0:08:20 > 0:08:24little Jack might have serious injuries to his head and neck.
0:08:24 > 0:08:29Do you just want to lay him on the bed? OK? Hello.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33You just want to go to sleep, do you? He's obviously fallen.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37Wasn't knocked out but Mum feels he's quite drowsy.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41And it's always important that the parents know the child better
0:08:41 > 0:08:44than we do and if you've got any concerns you need to
0:08:44 > 0:08:47listen to the parents because they're with the child all the time.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51And he does look quite pale. He clearly wants to go to sleep.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54It's fine for a child to go to sleep after a head injury
0:08:54 > 0:08:57but you must be able to rouse them, to wake them,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00to make sure they're moving, that they're not unconscious.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04Jack's in an unusually drowsy state,
0:09:04 > 0:09:07so Julie needs to quickly assess his injuries.
0:09:07 > 0:09:13Hello. Right. Now, I wanted to check down his back.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18Are these old bruises? And these are all old bruises?
0:09:18 > 0:09:22- And what are they from? - He fell down some steps.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25Oh, so you're a pro at doing this then, aren't you, eh?
0:09:27 > 0:09:30- You haven't found any open wounds on his head at all?- No.
0:09:30 > 0:09:36So I'm just checking his head to see if I can find any lumps or bumps.
0:09:36 > 0:09:37How's that, Jack?
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Jack, can you open your mouth for me?
0:09:44 > 0:09:47Oops, shall we take that out for a minute? Good boy.
0:09:47 > 0:09:54Can you open your mouth for me? Does that hurt? Does that hurt anywhere?
0:09:54 > 0:10:01- Where does that hurt?- My head. - What, darling? Your head?
0:10:01 > 0:10:06Is your head really sore? It's quite difficult with children to assess.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10And the mechanism of injury, the fact that he fell down through
0:10:10 > 0:10:13the stairs, you know, I can't rule out the fact that
0:10:13 > 0:10:15he's got a neck injury.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19I don't think he has but it's not a risk I'm prepared to take.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23I'm going to get one of the doctors just to come and have a look
0:10:23 > 0:10:25and check his neck.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29The specialised urgent care GP on duty is Dr Neil Davidson.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34He'll decide if Jack can be treated here or if he'll need to
0:10:34 > 0:10:37go to the bigger hospital 25 miles away in Truro.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40This child's fallen approximately,
0:10:40 > 0:10:45- about ten to 15 feet through a stairwell...- Gosh.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47..Landed on his head.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50But I would just like you to go and check his neck and see if we need to X-ray.
0:10:50 > 0:10:56Either way, I think he'll have to be admitted to Truro on the grounds of the mechanism.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58So can you just have a look at his neck for me
0:10:58 > 0:11:01- and I can get the X-ray ordered? - Sure.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05The initial X-rays can be done here,
0:11:05 > 0:11:08but Truro has paediatric doctors on site
0:11:08 > 0:11:12and a high dependency unit, which they'll need if Jack gets worse.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21It's an anxious time for Dad, Neil.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23And Mum, Kerry.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31- Hello, Jack.- Jack?- Jack?
0:11:33 > 0:11:36He's not easy to wake up at the best of times.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39He really is very drowsy, isn't he? Jack?
0:11:42 > 0:11:44He's really not responding, is he?
0:11:44 > 0:11:49Right, we're going to need to move quite quickly. Julie...
0:11:52 > 0:11:56- He's not responding to a sternal rub.- Right.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59Dr Davidson isn't happy.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02Jack's not responding and he needs specialist care, fast.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06OK, so we're going to blue light this child straight up the road to Truro.
0:12:06 > 0:12:07Is that sore?
0:12:09 > 0:12:10Ambulance, please.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24In Scotland the crew of the Search and Rescue
0:12:24 > 0:12:29helicopter from HMS Gannet also have a serious emergency on their hands.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32See the top of the hill here with the mast on it?
0:12:32 > 0:12:36You can follow the ridge line down. You can see the helicopter actually.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43In the Cairngorms, a paraglider has crashed into the mountainside.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47Give me winch control and we'll winch Rob down and he can assess.
0:12:47 > 0:12:48You have winch control.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50Its pilot has life threatening injuries
0:12:50 > 0:12:55and they need to winch him off the hill and get him to hospital, fast.
0:12:55 > 0:12:56And contact.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19On the ground, Rob gets the low down from Air Ambulance paramedic,
0:13:19 > 0:13:20Alex Holden.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36Hi, Martin, my name's Rob. I'm from the Search and Rescue helicopter.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Just a few hours ago, 58-year-old Martin had been
0:13:43 > 0:13:48anticipating a perfect day's paragliding with his pals.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52But it didn't go as planned.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58Martin's take off went badly wrong. The canopy didn't open properly.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03Martin was knocked off balance and lost consciousness
0:14:03 > 0:14:04when he hit his head on a rock.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10The out of control paraglider then caught an updraft
0:14:10 > 0:14:11and got itself airborne.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16But what goes up, must come down.
0:14:24 > 0:14:25Martin's in a really bad way.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29He's having difficulty breathing and has a serious head injury.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33Other paragliders are helping specialist trauma doctor,
0:14:33 > 0:14:37Bill Morrison who's been brought to the site by the helimed.
0:14:37 > 0:14:42He wants to stabilise Martin by putting him into an induced coma.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44For that, he'd prefer quiet surroundings.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08They plan to winch Martin off the mountain and fly him to the car park
0:15:08 > 0:15:12900 feet below, where the helicopter will shut down its engines.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21Rob keeps Martin across what's happening.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28OK, back away, five o'clock. 20 yards.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41The stretcher is on the ground.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43Get you down to the car park, get you sorted out
0:15:43 > 0:15:47and we'll be in Ninewells in 25 minutes to half an hour, all right?
0:15:51 > 0:15:53Are you all right to hold him there? You got him?
0:16:20 > 0:16:23That's good, Martin, you're nearly there fella.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26With everyone's help, Martin's almost ready to go.
0:16:26 > 0:16:27Ready, steady, last move.
0:16:30 > 0:16:31And down if you can.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35But he's not the only one they need to get off the hill.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09RSI stands for Rapid Sequence Induction,
0:17:09 > 0:17:12putting a patient into a medically induced coma.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14It'll help Martin to breathe
0:17:14 > 0:17:16and reduce the possibility of brain damage.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20Clear behind to the right and above.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Clear left and above back down to the car park, please.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27It's not without risk, but in this case, it could save Martin's life,
0:17:27 > 0:17:32keeping him stable while the team get him to hospital.
0:17:32 > 0:17:37And go down slowly. One foot taking on now, now.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43As Doctor Morrison heads off to get prepped, back on the hillside
0:17:43 > 0:17:47Rob's worried that Martin's condition could crash at any time.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49But it's crucial he keeps him reassured.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51Martin? It's Rob again.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55We're just going to get the medical team ready for you. Then we'll go.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57OK?
0:17:57 > 0:18:00But there's still a long way to go in the race to get Martin
0:18:00 > 0:18:02the urgent care he needs.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05We're nearly there. Another few minutes.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08Try and keep as still as you can.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20Back in Penzance, another troubling drama is unfolding.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22All eyes are on two-year-old Jack.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24He's had a serious fall down a stairwell.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30Parents, Kerry and Neil, brought him straight to the Urgent Care Centre.
0:18:30 > 0:18:35Staff are concerned that Jack may have head and spine injuries.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37He's worryingly drowsy.
0:18:37 > 0:18:42He really isn't responding is he? Jack? Right.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46- We need to move quickly. Julie?- Ambulance, please.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50They urgently need to get Jack to the specialist care centre
0:18:50 > 0:18:54at Treliske Hospital 25 miles away.
0:18:54 > 0:18:59This child has fallen 15 foot down a stairwell and landed on his head.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01Possible C spine injury.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10Thank you very much. Thank you, bye-bye.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13Right, so that's the ambulance on its way.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17Jack, I'm just going to pop this round your arm, sweetheart.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22It's a little bit big this one, isn't it?
0:19:24 > 0:19:26It's going to give you a big tight hug, this.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29OK, you keep nice and still for me.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31Dr Neil Davidson calls ahead
0:19:31 > 0:19:35to speak to the emergency team at Treliske.
0:19:35 > 0:19:42Very drowsy, no obvious fractures. He's... Absolutely.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44We've got the ambulance coming in now.
0:19:47 > 0:19:48Hiya.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52We've got a two-year-old who's fallen approximately 15 feet
0:19:52 > 0:19:59between a stairwell in their holiday cottage so he's clearly not 100%.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02The ambulance crew have seen how busy the roads are,
0:20:02 > 0:20:04and things step up a gear.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08I'm just going to call and get the...
0:20:08 > 0:20:11Air Ambulance, OK.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14The Paramedics that have arrived feel that this child
0:20:14 > 0:20:18ought to be up in Treliske sooner rather than later,
0:20:18 > 0:20:21so he's just gone to organise the air ambulance.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25- It's on the way now. - Air Ambulance is on the way.
0:20:25 > 0:20:26It's an agonising moment.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30There's only room for mum or dad to go with Jack.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33Which one of you wants to go in the helicopter?
0:20:33 > 0:20:35It'll be my husband because he doesn't drive so I'll drive over.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39OK, so helicopter ride out of it, dad. The end of your holiday.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44This is... The problem...
0:20:44 > 0:20:48This might sound, we might be over-dramatising all this,
0:20:48 > 0:20:51so please don't worry.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53I'm sure he's going to be absolutely fine.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55It's just that it's a Saturday.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58With all the best will in the world, these guys
0:20:58 > 0:21:01are going to take half an hour, 40 minutes to get you to Truro.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05The helicopter will get you there within ten minutes.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07It's important Jack's head
0:21:07 > 0:21:10and spine are kept as still as possible for the journey.
0:21:10 > 0:21:16Got his neck? OK we're going to slide him now.
0:21:16 > 0:21:17Good boy.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20The paramedics are going to use one of their vacuum splints.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23This is normally used for a large person on a lower limb
0:21:23 > 0:21:27but because this child is quite tiny, we can put him in this
0:21:27 > 0:21:30and secure his neck and his back.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34OK, now we're going to lift you and pop you on another trolley.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37And then you're going to go on an ambulance ride
0:21:37 > 0:21:39and a ride in the helicopter.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44You got teddy and blanky?
0:21:44 > 0:21:47It's just a couple of minutes in the road ambulance to the
0:21:47 > 0:21:50air ambulance landing site.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53Good boy, Jack. OK?
0:21:53 > 0:21:56But the weather's taken a turn for the worse.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59Heavy rain and fog mean the helicopter can't land.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05They've no choice now but to blue light to Treliske by road ambulance,
0:22:05 > 0:22:07another worrying twist for dad Neil.
0:22:07 > 0:22:08SIREN WAILS
0:22:09 > 0:22:13Yeah, I was waiting for the helicopter to come and land
0:22:13 > 0:22:15but due to the weather, the paramedics have decided
0:22:15 > 0:22:20that it's quicker... easier to go by the ambulance.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25I'd just like to get him there really now.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32It's an anxious drive through the holiday traffic...
0:22:37 > 0:22:40..while mum Kerry and Jack's granny and grandad make their own way
0:22:40 > 0:22:42to Treliske by car.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48It's taken 40 minutes to get Jack to the hospital.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04So this is Jack.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08Jack's a normally fit and healthy, robust two-year-old,
0:23:08 > 0:23:13who today fell 15 foot down the centre of a stairwell.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16He seemed to fall down probably head first.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19He's in the hands of the specialists now,
0:23:19 > 0:23:21but his ordeal's not over yet.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31Coming up - the Search and Rescue helicopter
0:23:31 > 0:23:33becomes a mobile treatment room
0:23:33 > 0:23:36as the medics battle to keep Martin stable.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39Right, sir, you'll just be going off to sleep.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42There's an anxious wait for the results of Jack's CT scan.
0:23:44 > 0:23:45But first...
0:23:45 > 0:23:47- You got the head?- Yep.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51..in Newquay, skateboarder Tom could be in trouble with his mum!
0:23:51 > 0:23:54Hi, Mum, don't worry. Mum, don't worry.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57I was not going that fast, I promise.
0:24:07 > 0:24:12Cornwall - not just famed for its pasties and cream teas.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15This sliver of land sticking out into the Atlantic
0:24:15 > 0:24:18has hundreds of miles of superb coastline...
0:24:19 > 0:24:21..and some of the best waves in the world.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29Perched on the north coast is Newquay, the UK's surf capital...
0:24:31 > 0:24:34..and Fistral Beach is regarded by many
0:24:34 > 0:24:36as Europe's most famous surfing destination.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41In the summer, the place is heaving.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43Here to take care of the masses are the lads
0:24:43 > 0:24:45and lasses of the RNLI Lifeguards.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48And there's plenty to keep them busy...
0:24:48 > 0:24:50Definitely a lump there.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53..heads and shoulders...
0:24:53 > 0:24:55It looks dislocated from here.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57..knees and toes.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Just clean that out for you.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05But 18-year-old Tom hasn't even dipped his toe in the water.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09- Hand on head. Are you ready? - Yeah.- OK.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13This holidaymaker has taken a tumble, but not a wave in sight.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15And lower.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19He's fallen off his skateboard at speed
0:25:19 > 0:25:21on the road down to the beach.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25Supervisor Lewis Timson wants immobilise his neck and spine
0:25:25 > 0:25:27until the paramedics arrive.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31- Got the head?- Yep.- OK, happy days.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34Just going to place my hand on your stomach.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36I don't want you to do anything at all, OK?
0:25:36 > 0:25:39Tom seems most concerned about his mum.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41When the ambulance arrives, can you reassure my mum
0:25:41 > 0:25:44- cos she'll be in more of a state than I will?- Yeah, don't worry.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46Have you been off skateboarding
0:25:46 > 0:25:48- while she's been on the beach, have you?- Yeah.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51Copped a big one, so you thought it would be safer coming here
0:25:51 > 0:25:52than going to see your mum.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55Yeah, I think she might have caught a glimpse of me
0:25:55 > 0:25:57- but thought I was all right. - All right, OK.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00I just went over a speed hump and wasn't looking where I was going,
0:26:00 > 0:26:03so ended up on my... on my elbow.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06It was my own fault really. It was no-one else's fault.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08No-one else was in the way.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11Just going...not paying attention, that's all, pretty much.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16Lewis is leaving Tom's neck to the paramedics,
0:26:16 > 0:26:18but there's other damage to inspect.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20Looks like your boxers
0:26:20 > 0:26:23and your shorts have saved you from there down.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25Pain anywhere in particular down this side?
0:26:25 > 0:26:28- No, not that side.- No, just grazing.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31The nastiest wound seems to be on Tom's elbow.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35Yeah, OK, yeah, you've taken a good little chunk out of there, mate.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39If you tell me if I'm being too brutal, just let me know.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42OK, what I'm going to do,
0:26:42 > 0:26:44is cos when the paramedics get here,
0:26:44 > 0:26:46they'll probably want to have a little look at that,
0:26:46 > 0:26:49so I'm not going to fully wrap you up.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51I'm just going to put a little pad on it,
0:26:51 > 0:26:54just so when they get here they can have a good look at it
0:26:54 > 0:26:57without unwrapping you like a mummy.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00Talking of mummies.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02- Hi, Mum, don't worry. - Ah, Mum's here.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05- Mum, don't worry. - Sorry, put your skull back.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08I was not going that fast, I promise.
0:27:08 > 0:27:13And I went over that speed bump and it's fine!
0:27:14 > 0:27:17Tom's mum Sharon has arrived
0:27:17 > 0:27:20and she isn't exactly surprised he's come a cropper.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23Apart from skateboarding, he rides his bike.
0:27:23 > 0:27:24Climbing, he likes climbing.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28Anything, really, that involves a little bit of "oh-h" feeling.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31That's what he does.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36Looks like Tom's after some careers advice.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39What do you have to do to train to be a lifeguard?
0:27:39 > 0:27:41I've always wondered because you do so much.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45You've done this on purpose, haven't you, just to get in here for a chat?
0:27:45 > 0:27:48There's easier ways of doing it, there's easier ways of doing it.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52Enough of the chat, the paramedics have arrived.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58We've got, er, Tom here.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01Reckons he's come off his skateboard,
0:28:01 > 0:28:04maybe sort of 10 miles an hour or so.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07He's come down on his right side. His head's not hit the floor.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09He's not lost consciousness.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12The paramedics get straight to the point.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14I'm going to have a quick feel of your neck.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17That doesn't seem to be creating much pain in the centre which is good.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21So what we can do is ask you, in a moment,
0:28:21 > 0:28:23to turn your head from side to side.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25- Yep, sure.- Shall we give it a go?
0:28:25 > 0:28:27- I don't know your name, sorry. - Jackson.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29OK, Jackson, hands away.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36- That's well more than 45 degrees. - That's a good one.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38Brilliant. Do you want to sit up?
0:28:38 > 0:28:39- Yep.- Fantastic.
0:28:42 > 0:28:43Eugh!
0:28:43 > 0:28:48Looks like Tom's escaped serious neck injury this time...
0:28:50 > 0:28:54..but the cuts and grazes need a bit of attention.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57Touch wood, he's been very lucky.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01He probably doesn't tell me if he has many near misses.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04But he's normally quite sensible. He tries...
0:29:04 > 0:29:06I have never come close to...
0:29:06 > 0:29:10No, he does, he's very sensible. He looks after himself mostly,
0:29:10 > 0:29:13but, erm...
0:29:13 > 0:29:16This is the first thing that's required this level of first aid.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19My holiday was going to consist of being in the sea every day
0:29:19 > 0:29:22until I left and it's now going to consist of me
0:29:22 > 0:29:27not being in the sea every day until I leave for another year.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31So it's not ruined, I'll find other things to do,
0:29:31 > 0:29:33but, yeah, it's a bit disappointing.
0:29:33 > 0:29:38Erm, I'll be fine. It's nice to be down here.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41I like the sea air, but, yeah, next year.
0:29:53 > 0:29:57Back in Scotland, the Gannet crew have been called to winch
0:29:57 > 0:30:00a crashed paraglider pilot off a steep mountainside
0:30:00 > 0:30:01in the Cairngorms.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04That's good, Martin. All right. We're nearly there, fella.
0:30:04 > 0:30:0858-year-old Martin is a keen paraglider.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11He'd planned a day's flying with five mates from Aberdeen.
0:30:13 > 0:30:17But a bad take off has left him with life-threatening injuries
0:30:17 > 0:30:19and he needs hospital treatment fast.
0:30:19 > 0:30:22- Do you remember what happened?- No.
0:30:22 > 0:30:27The guys from HMS Gannet are ready to winch him off the hill.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35Right, Martin. It's going to get a bit noisy and windy, all right?
0:30:35 > 0:30:38But we'll get you out of here as soon as we can.
0:31:11 > 0:31:15- Roger.- And lower the winch. Lower the winch.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20And lower, stop, lower.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22Lower, lower.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24Lower, lower, stop.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28But there's still one more thing to do
0:31:28 > 0:31:30before Martin can be taken to hospital.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34We're nearly there. Another few minutes.
0:31:34 > 0:31:35Try and keep as still as you can.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40The plan is to put him into a medically induced coma to keep
0:31:40 > 0:31:41his condition stable.
0:31:41 > 0:31:45The trauma team are waiting in the car park below.
0:31:45 > 0:31:494-3 for the tail. 4-3 tail on now, now, now.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58Rescue 177 shuts down to give the medics peace
0:31:58 > 0:32:02and quiet to do their vital work in the back.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07- How are you feeling now, sir? - Just bits...
0:32:07 > 0:32:10Eyes open, speech, verbalising principally.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13Yeah.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15- 14?- Yeah.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18100, 100.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21All right, sir, you'll just be going off to sleep.
0:32:21 > 0:32:25By using general anaesthetic to put him
0:32:25 > 0:32:27into a state of unconsciousness,
0:32:27 > 0:32:29Dr Morrison can manage Martin's breathing
0:32:29 > 0:32:32and help guard against the danger of brain damage.
0:32:32 > 0:32:33OK, we're all secure there, are we?
0:32:33 > 0:32:36Fine. Excellent.
0:32:36 > 0:32:41We'll lift straight up and once we get a good 100 feet,
0:32:41 > 0:32:44- we'll then transition forward. Any questions?- Negative.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46Kinloss Rescue, Rescue 177.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49We're now airborne with nine persons on board.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51En route to Dundee hospital and I believe an ambulance has already
0:32:51 > 0:32:53been arranged to meet us on arrival,
0:32:53 > 0:32:55but can you double-check, please? Over.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58- Sodium chloride verify?- Yeah.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02Gannet rescue, rescue 177,
0:33:02 > 0:33:05we're landing at Dundee Ninewells in two minutes.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08We'll be shutting down single engine for casualty handover.
0:33:08 > 0:33:09We'll call again when airborne, over.
0:33:12 > 0:33:1420 minutes after leaving Glenshee,
0:33:14 > 0:33:17they arrive at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22The road ambulance is already at the helipad.
0:33:22 > 0:33:24MULTIPLE VOICES AT ONCE
0:33:28 > 0:33:31Martin's within minutes of getting the specialist help
0:33:31 > 0:33:32he so desperately needs.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40The rescue has been a real team effort.
0:33:43 > 0:33:45All the Gannet guys can do now is
0:33:45 > 0:33:48leave Martin in the capable hands of the Ninewells staff.
0:33:59 > 0:34:00Is your head really sore?
0:34:03 > 0:34:07An accident on holiday in Cornwall has left two-year-old Jack
0:34:07 > 0:34:10with suspected head and spine injuries.
0:34:10 > 0:34:14Parents Kerry and Neil took him straight to the Urgent Care Centre
0:34:14 > 0:34:17in Penzance after a 15-foot fall down a stairwell.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24You know, I can't rule out the fact that he's got a neck injury.
0:34:24 > 0:34:28I don't think he has but it's not a risk I'm prepared to take.
0:34:33 > 0:34:37He's been rushed by ambulance to the emergency department
0:34:37 > 0:34:39at the larger hospital in Treliske.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43So this is Jack.
0:34:43 > 0:34:47Jack's a normally fit and healthy, robust two-year-old.
0:34:49 > 0:34:50It's all hands on deck.
0:34:52 > 0:34:57Jack and his teddy are prepped for a CT scan by Dr Guy Hooper.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00As opposed to an X-ray or an MRI
0:35:00 > 0:35:04he's gone through a 3D picture of his head and his brain,
0:35:04 > 0:35:08and all the vertebrae in his neck to make sure there's no fractures
0:35:08 > 0:35:11in his neck and his skull, but also to check to see
0:35:11 > 0:35:15if there's any internal bruising or bleeds in the brain as well, which,
0:35:15 > 0:35:19because of the nature of this chap's fall, is what we want to rule out.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26It's an anxious time for everyone.
0:35:30 > 0:35:31Jack will have to stay bundled up
0:35:31 > 0:35:34until the data from the CT scan has been analysed.
0:35:36 > 0:35:40- You've been such a good boy. - You are a good boy, aren't you?
0:35:40 > 0:35:43Mum and Granny are on hand to keep his spirits up.
0:35:46 > 0:35:51It's not long before Dr Chris Warren has some news.
0:35:51 > 0:35:56So, um, we're just waiting on that report and as soon as we get that,
0:35:56 > 0:35:58erm, provisionally, it would report as normal,
0:35:58 > 0:36:01but, erm, they do have a close look at it,
0:36:01 > 0:36:04sometimes things can be a bit subtle,
0:36:04 > 0:36:10so if that changes, they'll let us know. All right?
0:36:10 > 0:36:13- You guys got any questions at all? - No, thank you.
0:36:13 > 0:36:15All right. Great. See you later, Jack.
0:36:19 > 0:36:20You having a wave?
0:36:22 > 0:36:26It's sounding positive and A&E Consultant Dr Toby Slade
0:36:26 > 0:36:29soon has the confirmation they're hoping for.
0:36:30 > 0:36:32The CT scan of his head was fine
0:36:32 > 0:36:35and there was no sign of any injury to his neck which was good.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38So we've just reviewed him again and just made sure that there was
0:36:38 > 0:36:41no other further injury or injuries requiring extra treatment.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43He'll need to come in under the paediatric team for a short
0:36:43 > 0:36:47period of observation and hopefully he'll be going home later on today.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51Young Jack has had a very lucky escape.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54He is lucky, it's a significant fall, 15 feet,
0:36:54 > 0:36:57and that was the reason for needing to do the CT scan
0:36:57 > 0:37:00even though, when he came in, he'd picked up a little bit
0:37:00 > 0:37:01from how he was on the transfer.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04But it's that mechanism that meant we needed to do a CT scan
0:37:04 > 0:37:06because we know there's a proportion of children
0:37:06 > 0:37:08who come in with similar injuries,
0:37:08 > 0:37:11there would be a significant injury to the head that might
0:37:11 > 0:37:15require further surgery or an operation at a neurosurgical centre.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23Time for a snooze for Teddy and Jack.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29And Dad reflects on a traumatic day.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33The scariest thing that's ever happened to me in me life, basically.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37I don't know, you can't really put it into words, really.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40Just feel physically sick, really.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44Good boy, Jack. OK?
0:37:44 > 0:37:49In the ambulance I was scared, apprehensive, looking at the road,
0:37:49 > 0:37:52basically trying to look at my son, looking at the road
0:37:52 > 0:37:57because we'd heard on the way that there was, er, traffic jams
0:37:57 > 0:38:00but they were very reassuring.
0:38:00 > 0:38:05Just wanted to get here, really, and get him seen.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07CHATTER
0:38:10 > 0:38:13It could have been a lot, lot, lot, lot worse.
0:38:13 > 0:38:17But he must have fallen about 15 feet and banged his head.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21There's nothing wrong with him, basically.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23He's very, very, very lucky.
0:38:38 > 0:38:39On a perfect Sunday in July,
0:38:39 > 0:38:43the crew of HMS Gannet's Search & Rescue helicopter
0:38:43 > 0:38:45were called to the Cairnwell,
0:38:45 > 0:38:48a 3,000-foot mountain in North East Scotland.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50Hi, Martin, my name's Rob.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53All right? I'm from the Search & Rescue helicopter.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56Keen paraglider Martin lay critically injured
0:38:56 > 0:38:58on the exposed hillside.
0:38:59 > 0:39:03That's good, Martin, all right? We're nearly there, fella.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06He was lucky to survive.
0:39:07 > 0:39:11The day was actually excellent, the weather forecast was brilliant.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14Light winds. And this, in my view, was the day
0:39:14 > 0:39:16I was going to try and do my personal best here
0:39:16 > 0:39:19for cross-country flying on the paraglider,
0:39:19 > 0:39:21so I was really looking forward to it.
0:39:22 > 0:39:27We were up there and setting up to take flight,
0:39:27 > 0:39:28some people were flying,
0:39:28 > 0:39:33and, really, that's the last I remember for three days.
0:39:35 > 0:39:40I had a small problem on take-off, which,
0:39:40 > 0:39:43from what I can gather, listening to everybody else,
0:39:43 > 0:39:47sort of overbalanced me. The wing didn't come up properly,
0:39:47 > 0:39:50and I think I got thrown off balance and into a rock.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56That hit my face and made me unconscious.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01Once you're knocked out it's a new game altogether.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07I was then bounced through a rock field
0:40:07 > 0:40:10before the glider actually took off by itself,
0:40:10 > 0:40:14and so I was flying round the hill unconscious,
0:40:14 > 0:40:18and flew round the hill and then crashed into the back of it.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24The Gannet guys winched Martin off the mountain and delivered him
0:40:24 > 0:40:27to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee,
0:40:27 > 0:40:31where the full extent of his injuries became clear.
0:40:31 > 0:40:32Three broken ribs, a collapsed lung,
0:40:32 > 0:40:39broken bottom of the spine and the fractured eye socket,
0:40:39 > 0:40:43which they've gone in and repaired with titanium.
0:40:43 > 0:40:48Erm, And I'm almost back to full recovery.
0:40:48 > 0:40:52I don't think I'll ever be quite back to full, full recovery,
0:40:52 > 0:40:57but doing pretty well. Been back to work full-time, basically.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04But while he's been able to return to his job in the oil industry,
0:41:04 > 0:41:07this is the first time Martin's looked at his paragliding kit
0:41:07 > 0:41:10since the accident five months ago.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14A bit shaky right now.
0:41:14 > 0:41:20It's a bit strange, but it still feels like my friend but it's, er...
0:41:22 > 0:41:24..quite interesting
0:41:27 > 0:41:29Martin's not sure if he'll ever paraglide again.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34- Time will tell. - HE LAUGHS
0:41:34 > 0:41:38Diplomatic answer. I still miss flying.
0:41:38 > 0:41:43Erm, normally it's very, very safe, but it is high risk.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46It went very wrong for me.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54We'll see, but there's been a lot of anxiety from family on this
0:41:54 > 0:41:58so we'll just have to see where things go in future.
0:41:58 > 0:42:04I'm going to have to wind this up now before it blows away on me.
0:42:05 > 0:42:09Well, sitting in a deckchair at 6,000 feet looking down,
0:42:09 > 0:42:12which is effectively how you feel when you're just in the harness
0:42:12 > 0:42:15with the wing on is quite phenomenal.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18So that's, erm, yeah, very much miss it.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33It's been full on all go for Britain's rural emergency services.
0:42:37 > 0:42:41There's no respite for skateboarder Tom's mum.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44All healed up, he's back to the extreme sports.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51Paraglider Martin's health continues to improve,
0:42:51 > 0:42:55but he hasn't yet decided if he'll ever take to the skies again.
0:43:00 > 0:43:04And after his nasty fall, Jack's back to his old self,
0:43:04 > 0:43:08a little livewire keeping Mum and Dad on their toes.
0:43:10 > 0:43:14And you thought it was quiet in the countryside!