Episode 6

Download Subtitles

Transcript

0:00:02 > 0:00:05From the Highlands of Scotland, to the coast of Cornwall,

0:00:05 > 0:00:11the great British countryside is spectacular.

0:00:11 > 0:00:15But we work and play in it at our peril.

0:00:17 > 0:00:18And when things go wrong,

0:00:18 > 0:00:21the emergency services race to the rescue.

0:00:21 > 0:00:24This chap is having a heart attack.

0:00:24 > 0:00:26We need to get him in quickly.

0:00:27 > 0:00:31We've got a cow on the road. Countryside policing at its finest!

0:00:31 > 0:00:34Going hundreds of miles against the clock.

0:00:36 > 0:00:39Battling the elements, and braving the waves.

0:00:42 > 0:00:47From fields and forests to cliffs and country roads,

0:00:47 > 0:00:51we'll be right at the heart of the action,

0:00:51 > 0:00:53with police fighting crime.

0:00:53 > 0:00:55I'm not arguing it. I'm reporting you for it.

0:00:56 > 0:01:03Paramedics saving lives. And 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.

0:01:12 > 0:01:15This is Countryside 999.

0:01:32 > 0:01:37Coming up, from heatwave to monsoon,

0:01:37 > 0:01:42extreme summer weather keeps the Royal Navy busy.

0:01:42 > 0:01:44We've had weeks of nice weather - why today?

0:01:44 > 0:01:47He's just lying down on the job, isn't he?

0:01:49 > 0:01:55And, for the RNLI Lifeguards, fish and fingers are all in a day's work.

0:01:55 > 0:01:57As I sort of put pressure on the board, I felt a bit of pain

0:01:57 > 0:02:00in my finger and I just looked up and, well, bam.

0:02:00 > 0:02:04And in Cornwall, paramedics race to save the victim

0:02:04 > 0:02:06of an accident black spot.

0:02:06 > 0:02:09Are you in any pain anywhere, Martin?

0:02:09 > 0:02:11I think it's just the neck.

0:02:17 > 0:02:21Summertime in rural Britain.

0:02:21 > 0:02:24Blue skies, and calm seas.

0:02:24 > 0:02:28But it's not all long, lazy, heat-filled days.

0:02:29 > 0:02:33The British summer is notoriously fickle.

0:02:38 > 0:02:40Ready for action, whatever the weather,

0:02:40 > 0:02:42is the Royal Navy Search and Rescue team

0:02:42 > 0:02:46at HMS Gannet in Southwest Scotland.

0:02:46 > 0:02:49It's a real scorcher, one of the hottest days of the summer.

0:02:52 > 0:02:56Observer Angela Lewis is taking an emergency call.

0:02:56 > 0:02:58Thanks, then.

0:02:58 > 0:03:02We have a 20-year-old male suffering from heat exhaustion on Ben Lawers.

0:03:02 > 0:03:06- On the track?- Yeah. About a quarter of the way down the grid.

0:03:06 > 0:03:10- We're not 100 per cent sure cos it's come in from the police.- OK.

0:03:10 > 0:03:11But it's right on the paths.

0:03:17 > 0:03:21The heatstroke victim is 70 miles away on Ben Lawers.

0:03:21 > 0:03:23At just under 4,000 feet,

0:03:23 > 0:03:25it's the highest mountain in the Southern Highlands,

0:03:25 > 0:03:28but not one of Scotland's most treacherous.

0:03:28 > 0:03:31All happy? Happy in the back there?

0:03:36 > 0:03:39Today's freak heatwave could put a very different spin on things.

0:03:43 > 0:03:47Flying conditions are good for the 40-minute journey North.

0:04:11 > 0:04:13- Wow, it's warm.- I know.

0:04:24 > 0:04:29Winchman and trainee paramedic H Henson knows just how dangerous overheating can be.

0:05:00 > 0:05:04Angela tries to reach the casualty on his mobile.

0:05:04 > 0:05:06'Welcome to the messaging service.

0:05:06 > 0:05:09'The person you have called is unable to take...'

0:05:09 > 0:05:10Gutted!

0:05:32 > 0:05:35The crew scour the area for signs of someone in trouble.

0:05:35 > 0:05:37But the casualty is nowhere to be seen.

0:06:05 > 0:06:07Minutes later, they touch down at the bottom of the hill

0:06:07 > 0:06:10to pick up one of the Tayside Mountain Rescue team.

0:06:15 > 0:06:19But when paramedic Dave Rigg hops out, he's approached by a couple.

0:06:19 > 0:06:23It's the missing walker, and he seems fully recovered.

0:06:24 > 0:06:26You're the man himself, are you?

0:06:26 > 0:06:29Yeah. We couldn't call you cos we didn't have any phone signal.

0:06:29 > 0:06:31Righty-ho.

0:06:31 > 0:06:34MRT leader Stuart double checks they've got the right people.

0:06:34 > 0:06:38- They the two? - That's who we're looking for.

0:06:38 > 0:06:42OK, no bother. I want you to follow me. I want to have a chat with you.

0:06:42 > 0:06:44The search is off,

0:06:44 > 0:06:49but maybe next time walker Dave will pack a picnic.

0:06:49 > 0:06:52Basically what happened is me and my girlfriend here,

0:06:52 > 0:06:55we just decided to walk up Ben Lawers,

0:06:55 > 0:06:59and it was just obviously too hot,

0:06:59 > 0:07:03and not eating enough, which is obviously the worst thing to do,

0:07:03 > 0:07:07but we managed to get another walker to stop and help us,

0:07:07 > 0:07:12and they've given us food and water, so thanks to them, anyway.

0:07:28 > 0:07:31Later, the Gannet guys are out again,

0:07:31 > 0:07:33swapping scorching sun for lashing rain.

0:07:50 > 0:07:55From the Scottish Highlands to the Southernmost tip of England.

0:07:55 > 0:07:59Cornwall's spectacular coastline stretches for over 400 miles.

0:08:01 > 0:08:04Rugged cliffs, sheltered coves and beautiful beaches

0:08:04 > 0:08:07make the perfect holiday destination.

0:08:08 > 0:08:13Newquay is on the Atlantic coast of the Cornish peninsula.

0:08:13 > 0:08:17It's a small town with a population just over 20,000.

0:08:18 > 0:08:23But the seaside resort welcomes over a million holidaymakers

0:08:23 > 0:08:27and day trippers each year, most of them during the busy summer season.

0:08:27 > 0:08:29You can see why.

0:08:31 > 0:08:37Fistral Beach is just the ticket for families looking for a bit of fun.

0:08:37 > 0:08:43And thrillseekers flocking to the world-renowned waves

0:08:43 > 0:08:45of the UK's surf capital.

0:08:49 > 0:08:53Everyone's here to enjoy themselves, but on such a busy beach,

0:08:53 > 0:08:57someone's bound to get hurt.

0:08:57 > 0:08:59It's down to a highly trained team of lifeguards

0:08:59 > 0:09:01to keep the beach safe.

0:09:02 > 0:09:04And they've got all the gear...

0:09:07 > 0:09:09Jet ski rescue water craft.

0:09:15 > 0:09:19Guys, you can't be here - red and yellow flags!

0:09:24 > 0:09:28Patrol trucks with PA system and rescue boards.

0:09:29 > 0:09:32Just to get your attention.

0:09:32 > 0:09:34There's a couple of body boarders out there.

0:09:34 > 0:09:37Come back in to shallow water.

0:09:37 > 0:09:40Make your way to the red and yellow flags, thank you.

0:09:42 > 0:09:44And roving quad bikes.

0:09:45 > 0:09:50But there's one vital gadget no lifeguard is ever without.

0:09:50 > 0:09:51The whistle.

0:09:51 > 0:09:53BLOWS WHISTLE

0:09:53 > 0:09:56Red and yellow flags, yeah, mate?

0:10:02 > 0:10:06Manning the patrol truck is senior lifeguard and Newquay local boy,

0:10:06 > 0:10:08Warren Llewellyn.

0:10:08 > 0:10:09A former British surf champion,

0:10:09 > 0:10:13he understands the dangers first-hand.

0:10:13 > 0:10:16Main hazards today, there's a bit of a current going from North to South

0:10:16 > 0:10:20off this Northwesterly wind, so we're looking out for people

0:10:20 > 0:10:23getting dragged towards the Southern end towards the rocks.

0:10:23 > 0:10:27It's quite a big tide, so we're going to need to be on our guard at low tide.

0:10:27 > 0:10:29Low tide's the worst for rips,

0:10:29 > 0:10:32and the wind is making a few little rip currents today,

0:10:32 > 0:10:34so we've got to keep everyone in their own depth

0:10:34 > 0:10:37and in the centre of the two red and yellow flags.

0:10:40 > 0:10:42Rip currents are bad news,

0:10:42 > 0:10:44lurking under the waves.

0:10:44 > 0:10:47Even strong swimmers can be dragged out to sea in seconds,

0:10:47 > 0:10:49or be smashed against the sharp rocks.

0:10:55 > 0:10:57On patrol with Warren,

0:10:57 > 0:11:00and bringing a touch of Bondi to the British beach,

0:11:00 > 0:11:03is 21-year-old Aussie surfer Jackson Howell.

0:11:03 > 0:11:06If you're in the hut the whole time, you have to run down the stairs,

0:11:06 > 0:11:09run down the beach, get the board, whereas if you're in the truck,

0:11:09 > 0:11:12keeps you right at the water's edge, so you can be right there,

0:11:12 > 0:11:16first response - if something happens, you can react immediately.

0:11:18 > 0:11:22But the lifeguards would rather prevent accidents from happening in the first place.

0:11:22 > 0:11:23One thing that helps

0:11:23 > 0:11:27is keeping surfers and swimmers separate in the water.

0:11:27 > 0:11:31Jackson's about to go out and do some patrolling on the rescue board.

0:11:31 > 0:11:35There's a few body boarders getting dragged out

0:11:35 > 0:11:37a bit too far for comfort.

0:11:37 > 0:11:41He's just going to go and make sure they stay in the right spot,

0:11:41 > 0:11:42and don't go out too far.

0:11:45 > 0:11:48Despite their vigilance, accidents will happen.

0:11:48 > 0:11:54In 2012, the lifeguards on Fistral dealt with almost 400 incidents.

0:11:54 > 0:11:56This year, they're as busy as ever.

0:11:58 > 0:12:01Surfing accounts for a fifth of the injuries they see.

0:12:03 > 0:12:0717-year-old Liam has had a battle with his board.

0:12:07 > 0:12:10It's clear who's come off worse.

0:12:12 > 0:12:14Cool thing for the day.

0:12:14 > 0:12:18He's dislocated the middle finger of his left hand.

0:12:18 > 0:12:21But Liam's taking it all in his stride.

0:12:21 > 0:12:25We've just come down to town for the day.

0:12:25 > 0:12:29We were going to go body boarding, but we accidentally paid for surfing

0:12:29 > 0:12:31so we thought we'd go surfing.

0:12:31 > 0:12:33I went through the wave, and went to stand up on it,

0:12:33 > 0:12:36as I put pressure on the board, I felt pain in my finger.

0:12:36 > 0:12:41I looked up and, bam, I just saw this.

0:12:41 > 0:12:45I looked at it for a second, and then just shouted, "Ahhhh!"

0:12:45 > 0:12:49It stings quite a bit, but there's no pain if you touch it.

0:12:49 > 0:12:51I'm a rugby player, I've had worse.

0:12:52 > 0:12:56He'll need to get that finger to the local Minor Injuries Unit

0:12:56 > 0:13:00for an X-ray and the joint will need to be snapped back into place.

0:13:00 > 0:13:01Ouch.

0:13:01 > 0:13:04We'd been doing this for about 20 minutes,

0:13:04 > 0:13:07and then it was just sort of a slip, I guess.

0:13:07 > 0:13:09At least you got 20 minutes.

0:13:09 > 0:13:11Yeah!

0:13:11 > 0:13:15I think his reaction to the injury wasn't too normal

0:13:15 > 0:13:17because he seemed totally fine.

0:13:17 > 0:13:19He wasn't even in any sort of pain.

0:13:19 > 0:13:22I think a lot of people would be in a lot more pain than that -

0:13:22 > 0:13:27even looking at it makes you a bit squeamish!

0:13:27 > 0:13:30I guess I'm quite lucky I've still got all of it there,

0:13:30 > 0:13:32it's just...an odd shape.

0:13:32 > 0:13:35Yeah, they're going to need to bend that back...

0:13:35 > 0:13:37somehow!

0:13:37 > 0:13:40- They might give you some pain relief for that!- Hopefully.

0:13:40 > 0:13:44Liam has to make his own way to hospital.

0:13:44 > 0:13:47But first, he hitches a lift back to his mates on the beach.

0:13:48 > 0:13:50Right, let's do this.

0:13:52 > 0:13:57Later in the programme, one unlucky swimmer gets a painful surprise.

0:13:57 > 0:13:59Did someone get a weever fish?

0:13:59 > 0:14:03- It hurts.- Did you step on something spiky?- Yes.

0:14:03 > 0:14:05Oh, you got "weevered."

0:14:12 > 0:14:15350 miles North in Ayrshire,

0:14:15 > 0:14:18the Royal Navy Rescue Team from HMS Gannet are keeping busy.

0:14:21 > 0:14:24When they're not on an emergency, they're honing their skills.

0:14:26 > 0:14:30Winchman Dave Rigg's back in the Sea King for today's training exercise.

0:14:30 > 0:14:34This time, he's joined by co-pilot Jon Green,

0:14:34 > 0:14:36pilot Mark Rose, and observer Rob Suckling.

0:14:56 > 0:14:57They're flying though

0:14:57 > 0:15:01some of Scotland's most wild and breathtaking scenery,

0:15:01 > 0:15:03but they're not here to enjoy the view.

0:15:07 > 0:15:10The weather's taken a turn for the worse.

0:15:10 > 0:15:14A call has just come in through the Stornoway Coastguard.

0:15:14 > 0:15:18Someone's come off a quad bike in a remote spot 34 miles away.

0:15:18 > 0:15:22They ditch the training, and immediately head North.

0:15:25 > 0:15:28Rescue 177, we are now airborne, en route to Tarbet.

0:15:28 > 0:15:32Echo Tango Alpha on scene is 1400 local.

0:15:32 > 0:15:35Do you have any update on the casualty, over?

0:15:35 > 0:15:40This is Kinloss Rescue, we'll get that information to you shortly.

0:15:42 > 0:15:46The crew head from their current location in Glencoe

0:15:46 > 0:15:48to an isolated spot near Tarbet,

0:15:48 > 0:15:51just south of the Knoydart Peninsula on the West Coast.

0:15:53 > 0:15:57The helicopter has to fly low through the glen to avoid the worsening weather.

0:16:36 > 0:16:38Rescue 177, this is Kinloss Rescue.

0:16:40 > 0:16:41Party of five.

0:17:17 > 0:17:19If it looks like a hip fracture,

0:17:19 > 0:17:23they'll need to take the casualty to a specialist unit in Glasgow.

0:17:23 > 0:17:26It's four times further than Fort William,

0:17:26 > 0:17:28an uncomfortable journey for someone in pain.

0:17:49 > 0:17:52As they get close, the crew prepare to land.

0:18:09 > 0:18:11Good line. Five...

0:18:13 > 0:18:16Three. Take it down slowly.

0:18:16 > 0:18:17Clear the tail.

0:18:19 > 0:18:22That's it now, tail's down.

0:18:22 > 0:18:24Five yards...

0:18:24 > 0:18:27- Got the big rock visual? - Yeah, got the big rock visual.

0:18:27 > 0:18:29Further left, ten o'clock. Four yards.

0:18:29 > 0:18:32You've got about six inches. There.

0:18:34 > 0:18:39The rain's lashing down and the wind is sweeping across the hillside.

0:18:40 > 0:18:44But they've found the casualty, fencing contractor Hughie.

0:18:48 > 0:18:50He was out working on his quad bike,

0:18:50 > 0:18:53which is now at the bottom of a steep slope.

0:19:02 > 0:19:07Later, Hughie lies soaked to the skin on an exposed hillside.

0:19:07 > 0:19:11Paramedic Dave isn't only concerned about his hip.

0:19:11 > 0:19:14It doesn't take long before hypothermia can set in,

0:19:14 > 0:19:15even in summertime.

0:19:21 > 0:19:22Coming up...

0:19:22 > 0:19:26In Newquay, there's danger lurking under the waves.

0:19:28 > 0:19:29It hurts.

0:19:29 > 0:19:32Ugly little critter, and painful.

0:19:32 > 0:19:36The Royal Navy must get Hughie off the hillside.

0:19:36 > 0:19:38Ready, set, roll.

0:19:41 > 0:19:44But first, on a country road in Cornwall,

0:19:44 > 0:19:48an Air Ambulance paramedic deals with a motorbike crash.

0:19:48 > 0:19:52You've had a fairly nasty bump, and you've got a cut on your head.

0:20:04 > 0:20:07Britain's rural roads give access to the countryside

0:20:07 > 0:20:10for millions of motorists all year round.

0:20:12 > 0:20:16Throw in some summer sun, and these usually quiet highways and byways

0:20:16 > 0:20:18are soon heaving with holiday traffic.

0:20:20 > 0:20:24And the only way to beat the congestion is to take to the skies.

0:20:28 > 0:20:30Mark Fuszard is a paramedic,

0:20:30 > 0:20:34and one of Cornwall Air Ambulance's highly skilled rescue team.

0:20:35 > 0:20:39We're just treating you for a kind of worst-case scenario.

0:20:39 > 0:20:41ETA approximately two minutes, over.

0:20:41 > 0:20:45But reaching a patient doesn't always involve a helicopter.

0:20:49 > 0:20:53If he can get there quicker on wheels, then that's what he'll do.

0:20:57 > 0:20:58And that's the story today.

0:20:58 > 0:21:02Mark's had an emergency call-out to a nasty road accident

0:21:02 > 0:21:03less than a minute from base.

0:21:05 > 0:21:09For speed, he's ditched the rest of the team and the chopper.

0:21:14 > 0:21:16Go ahead, Nick.

0:21:16 > 0:21:19INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER

0:21:21 > 0:21:24Roger. That makes sense. It's pretty much just down the road.

0:21:24 > 0:21:25I'll update you as soon as I can

0:21:25 > 0:21:28but if you could get someone running just to relieve me. Over.

0:21:28 > 0:21:31SIREN WAILS

0:21:31 > 0:21:35A car and a motorbike have crashed at a notorious junction

0:21:35 > 0:21:36between Bodmin and Newquay.

0:21:40 > 0:21:43This is a busy main road into Newquay.

0:21:43 > 0:21:44There's a few twisty bits

0:21:44 > 0:21:48and I think this road is in one of the top three roads in Cornwall

0:21:48 > 0:21:50that's had the most accidents.

0:21:50 > 0:21:53And it's got quite a high death rate on this road.

0:21:55 > 0:21:57- RADIO:- 'About seven minutes away.'

0:21:59 > 0:22:01Yeah, roger that. Just coming up to it now.

0:22:05 > 0:22:08Motorbike accidents on country roads

0:22:08 > 0:22:11are a major concern for the emergency services.

0:22:11 > 0:22:14Bikers account for just 1 per cent of traffic

0:22:14 > 0:22:17but about 20 per cent of all fatalities.

0:22:19 > 0:22:21OK, let's see what we've got.

0:22:30 > 0:22:33Biker Martin may be in a critical condition.

0:22:34 > 0:22:37Neck and spine damage are Mark's biggest worry.

0:22:40 > 0:22:42Right...

0:22:42 > 0:22:46He gets help from a passing off-duty doctor.

0:22:46 > 0:22:48Basically, I need you to kneel down there.

0:22:48 > 0:22:49Mind yourself on that piece of plastic.

0:22:49 > 0:22:52We're going to keep this chap's head nice and still.

0:22:52 > 0:22:54If you want to get in a fairly comfortable position,

0:22:54 > 0:22:56you'll be there for a little while.

0:22:57 > 0:23:00Are you in any pain anywhere, Martin?

0:23:00 > 0:23:01I think it's just the neck.

0:23:01 > 0:23:04It's like my shoulders are twisted round.

0:23:04 > 0:23:07Martin, I'm going to have to cut your leathers off, mate.

0:23:07 > 0:23:10They're coming off whether you like it or not.

0:23:10 > 0:23:11You've had a pretty much...

0:23:11 > 0:23:14You've had a fairly nasty bump.

0:23:14 > 0:23:16You've got a cut on your head.

0:23:17 > 0:23:20Can't guarantee you haven't done any damage to your neck.

0:23:20 > 0:23:22So I'm going to keep you in this position

0:23:22 > 0:23:25and take you to hospital in this position, strapped down.

0:23:25 > 0:23:28Mark needs to check Martin's vital signs.

0:23:28 > 0:23:32All too often, a casualty's condition can deteriorate rapidly.

0:23:35 > 0:23:38It's known as talk and die syndrome.

0:23:38 > 0:23:40Even though the crash victim seems fine,

0:23:40 > 0:23:43there can be a fatal hidden head injury.

0:23:43 > 0:23:45Nice and steady with your breathing.

0:23:46 > 0:23:48Even wearing a helmet,

0:23:48 > 0:23:50Martin's taken a real battering.

0:23:54 > 0:23:58Later, Martin's dad and his dad's girlfriend arrive on scene

0:23:58 > 0:24:01after getting the phone call every parent dreads.

0:24:01 > 0:24:03Complaining of a pain in his neck.

0:24:07 > 0:24:09Absolutely, yeah.

0:24:22 > 0:24:25Back on Fistral Beach, just a few miles away,

0:24:25 > 0:24:27the surf's up, and the sun's out.

0:24:31 > 0:24:35The six-strong lifeguard team remain ever-vigilant.

0:24:37 > 0:24:39With so many people in the sea,

0:24:39 > 0:24:41watching the waves for signs of somebody in trouble

0:24:41 > 0:24:43is a never-ending job.

0:24:48 > 0:24:52Up in the lifeguard unit, Phil constantly scans the beach.

0:24:53 > 0:24:59My duties as a lifeguard are to make sure that the public are safe,

0:24:59 > 0:25:01always keeping an eye on the water,

0:25:01 > 0:25:05making sure the bathers and swimmers are safe.

0:25:08 > 0:25:10But there's one danger that can't be seen.

0:25:10 > 0:25:14It lurks under the surface, burying itself in the sand,

0:25:14 > 0:25:16waiting for unsuspecting feet...

0:25:19 > 0:25:21The weever fish.

0:25:21 > 0:25:23It's got a mouth like that,

0:25:23 > 0:25:27so it looks a bit sad, looks like a bit of a grimace

0:25:27 > 0:25:30and it's got some spikes on the top,

0:25:30 > 0:25:33maybe one, two, three black spikes.

0:25:35 > 0:25:37Yeah, ugly little critter, and painful.

0:25:39 > 0:25:45We get quite a lot, probably five a day on average, something like that,

0:25:45 > 0:25:49and the stings vary from mild to really painful.

0:25:53 > 0:25:56Jackson and Jen are on patrol in the truck,

0:25:56 > 0:25:59when they spot someone limping out of the water.

0:25:59 > 0:26:01Oh!

0:26:01 > 0:26:04- Someone got "weevered."- Oh, no!

0:26:08 > 0:26:11Did someone get a weever fish?

0:26:11 > 0:26:13Did you step on something spiky?

0:26:13 > 0:26:16- Yes.- You got "weevered!" - You stood on a weever fish.

0:26:16 > 0:26:19- Go to the top, they'll give you some hot water.- It hurts.

0:26:20 > 0:26:23They think it's a weever fish or something.

0:26:23 > 0:26:27Mate, just to let you know, got a girl coming up with a weever fish.

0:26:28 > 0:26:32There's no truck ride to the lifeguard station for sting victim Kemi!

0:26:33 > 0:26:36Jack and Jen need to stay on patrol at the water's edge.

0:26:42 > 0:26:45- Hi.- How are you doing, guys? All right?

0:26:45 > 0:26:47See you on the other side.

0:26:47 > 0:26:48Take a seat.

0:26:48 > 0:26:51- What, there?- Yeah.

0:26:51 > 0:26:53Just put your foot in the water.

0:26:53 > 0:26:55Let's have a look.

0:26:55 > 0:26:57It's like, right in my little toe,

0:26:57 > 0:26:59I think. Well, that's where it hurts.

0:26:59 > 0:27:01I don't know if it's a cut or if it's a weever.

0:27:01 > 0:27:03Right, it all looks good.

0:27:03 > 0:27:07- You're not allergic to anything, are you?- No, no.- Whereabouts, which toe?

0:27:07 > 0:27:11- Literally in the crack of the little...- Right.

0:27:11 > 0:27:13I don't know what it is but it really hurts.

0:27:13 > 0:27:16Yeah, it looks like a little weever you've got there.

0:27:17 > 0:27:19It's a weever!

0:27:19 > 0:27:21Nothing to worry about.

0:27:21 > 0:27:23Just put your foot back in there.

0:27:23 > 0:27:26We'll get you some hot water just to give you a bit of pain relief.

0:27:26 > 0:27:29- Thank you.- Hopefully after about 20 minutes, half an hour,

0:27:29 > 0:27:32- all the pain should be gone. - There's nothing in there, is there?

0:27:32 > 0:27:34No, there's no spike in there at all

0:27:34 > 0:27:37but what the weevers do, they just inject a bit of poison.

0:27:37 > 0:27:40- OK.- And your body gets rid of that after 20 minutes, half an hour.- OK.

0:27:40 > 0:27:42How are you feeling at the moment?

0:27:42 > 0:27:44I'm feeling fine, my foot just really hurts, that's all.

0:27:44 > 0:27:46- Does it?- I'm completely fine now.

0:27:46 > 0:27:48You'll just get a bit of pain in your foot

0:27:48 > 0:27:51- but the hot water will just give you some relief.- OK.

0:27:52 > 0:27:55Hot water, best treatment for weever fish. It just relieves the pain

0:27:55 > 0:28:00but it's down to the body system to get rid of the poison.

0:28:02 > 0:28:06There's a reason why my mum made me wear beach shoes when I was younger.

0:28:06 > 0:28:08Kind of wish I'd brought some now.

0:28:08 > 0:28:11Oh, well, these things happen, I suppose.

0:28:11 > 0:28:1620 minutes later, holidaymaker Kemi is more or less pain-free.

0:28:16 > 0:28:21I got here, we've been travelling since 8.30 last night

0:28:21 > 0:28:24and then got to the beach because our campsite isn't open

0:28:24 > 0:28:27so a few of us decided to go down into the sea.

0:28:27 > 0:28:29And it was great, like, the waves were really big and stuff

0:28:29 > 0:28:31and literally just as we were about to leave

0:28:31 > 0:28:34I just had a really sharp, horrible feeling in my foot.

0:28:34 > 0:28:37And as soon as I started hobbling out of the water,

0:28:37 > 0:28:40the RNLI came zooming over saying that I'd been stung by a weever

0:28:40 > 0:28:43and to come up here and put some hot water on it

0:28:43 > 0:28:46and I've put some on it now and it's fine.

0:28:46 > 0:28:49Be a bit bruised but yeah, I think it's fine.

0:28:49 > 0:28:53And the lesson here? Mum always knows best!

0:29:01 > 0:29:05On a hillside on the West coast of Scotland, it's chucking down.

0:29:07 > 0:29:08Easy, and steady.

0:29:11 > 0:29:12Five yards.

0:29:12 > 0:29:14- Big rock visual. - Yeah, I've got the big rock visual.

0:29:14 > 0:29:16Forward left, ten o'clock.

0:29:16 > 0:29:19You've got about six inches, right there.

0:29:22 > 0:29:26Atrocious conditions aren't helping the Royal Navy's rescue efforts.

0:29:27 > 0:29:29They've found casualty Hughie,

0:29:29 > 0:29:32who was out fixing fences in this rugged landscape.

0:29:34 > 0:29:39Unable to move, he was lucky to get a phone signal to raise the alarm.

0:29:39 > 0:29:41A group of walkers, two shepherds,

0:29:41 > 0:29:44their dogs and a workmate have since shown up.

0:29:53 > 0:29:56In the downpour and with the noise of the helicopter,

0:29:56 > 0:29:58they shout to make themselves heard.

0:30:10 > 0:30:11Right, OK.

0:30:29 > 0:30:33He is complaining of pain, that's all. Just in that area, there. Um...

0:30:40 > 0:30:45Any pain at all as I come up your leg? Anything at all? No?

0:30:59 > 0:31:03Hughie is up for a bit of banter.

0:31:03 > 0:31:07But he has already been lying on this exposed hillside

0:31:07 > 0:31:10in the rain for 35 minutes.

0:31:10 > 0:31:11Not pleasant.

0:31:14 > 0:31:17He was laying on the, at this point,

0:31:17 > 0:31:20soaking wet ground with that heavy rain

0:31:20 > 0:31:22and the chill that was in the air.

0:31:22 > 0:31:25It doesn't take long before hypothermia can set in.

0:31:25 > 0:31:27Even in summer time.

0:31:27 > 0:31:29You guys happy to help us?

0:31:31 > 0:31:34Right, if somebody could just stay at the feet end,

0:31:34 > 0:31:36so that when we move Hughie onto the mat...

0:31:36 > 0:31:39It is quite slippy, I don't want him to go that way. All right?

0:31:39 > 0:31:41So your job is to stop him sliding down the hill

0:31:41 > 0:31:43stop the whole thing going down the hill! OK?

0:31:43 > 0:31:47So, if at any stage you get a little pain, just let us know. OK?

0:31:47 > 0:31:49Ready, set, roll.

0:31:52 > 0:31:54It's a tricky manoeuvre.

0:31:54 > 0:31:56And soggy work.

0:32:05 > 0:32:09It's too wet to check the extent of his injuries out here on the hill so

0:32:09 > 0:32:13he's being immobilised on a vacuum mattress ready to be stretchered.

0:32:15 > 0:32:18What we are going to do now, put you in the back of the aircraft, have

0:32:18 > 0:32:22a look at you where it's a bit drier. A bit noisier, but it will be drier.

0:32:22 > 0:32:25Luckily, there is plenty of manpower on hand.

0:32:25 > 0:32:28Without the extra help, the Royal Navy crew would need to

0:32:28 > 0:32:31power down the helicopter and roll up their sleeves.

0:32:32 > 0:32:33Ready, set, lift.

0:32:37 > 0:32:39And ready, down.

0:32:44 > 0:32:47It's a fight against the elements, tough terrain

0:32:47 > 0:32:50and a very powerful downdraught from the helicopter.

0:33:06 > 0:33:08From a quad bike accident in the hills,

0:33:08 > 0:33:12to a motorbike smash on a country road.

0:33:12 > 0:33:15Air ambulance paramedic Mark Fuszard has raced to

0:33:15 > 0:33:17the scene of a road traffic accident in Cornwall.

0:33:21 > 0:33:23Biker Martin is alert,

0:33:23 > 0:33:26but it's not clear how badly injured he is.

0:33:27 > 0:33:30You can remember everything that happened, Martin?

0:33:30 > 0:33:34Yeah, I came down off Spitfire Corner there, saw the traffic

0:33:34 > 0:33:37so I slowed down anyway because they all tend to pull out.

0:33:37 > 0:33:43Saw the guy - I got so close to him and then suddenly it was there.

0:33:43 > 0:33:46I think I was probably hugging that white line on the right-hand side

0:33:46 > 0:33:49trying to get out and I must have hit his quarter panel, I think.

0:33:49 > 0:33:52OK, mate. You can remember hitting the road but not being knocked out?

0:33:52 > 0:33:54I don't remember hitting the road.

0:33:54 > 0:33:57I remember hitting the car, or I remember a big hard hit.

0:33:57 > 0:33:59Do you know if you were knocked out at all?

0:33:59 > 0:34:02I don't think so... I think I was back on here

0:34:02 > 0:34:03and it was like, that hurt.

0:34:06 > 0:34:09A short loss of consciousness can be deceptive.

0:34:09 > 0:34:11Concussion can lead to serious brain trauma.

0:34:13 > 0:34:15Martin's dad, Ivan, has rushed to the scene

0:34:15 > 0:34:18having received the call every parent dreads.

0:34:18 > 0:34:22- How's your arm feeling, all right?- My shoulder, the top of the shoulder...

0:34:22 > 0:34:25- Just there somewhere.- Put your finger on it, if you would?

0:34:25 > 0:34:26Yes.

0:34:26 > 0:34:28Mark's dad's girlfriend, Karen, is with him.

0:34:28 > 0:34:31- He is going to need to go to hospital.- Yes.

0:34:31 > 0:34:33I'm concerned about his neck.

0:34:33 > 0:34:37He's complaining of pain in his neck.

0:34:37 > 0:34:41It's everybody's worst nightmare to come across something like this.

0:34:41 > 0:34:43Absolutely, yeah.

0:34:43 > 0:34:45They're worried about him.

0:34:45 > 0:34:47But Martin's anxious about something else.

0:34:48 > 0:34:52- How's the bike?- A mess.- Oh, no.

0:34:52 > 0:34:55- That's a- BLEEP- bummer, that is.

0:34:59 > 0:35:00No, what!!

0:35:04 > 0:35:06- Dad, you can't do that to me.- How long have you had it?

0:35:06 > 0:35:09- Year and a half.- I told him he weren't having one.

0:35:09 > 0:35:12- I only just cleaned it.- That'll be why it looks shiny new.

0:35:13 > 0:35:16Off-duty doctor Mark witnessed the crash

0:35:16 > 0:35:17and has been lending a hand.

0:35:17 > 0:35:19Basically a car pulled out in front of me.

0:35:19 > 0:35:23Slowing down because the junction is quite notorious for accidents anyway

0:35:23 > 0:35:28and he's caught the back door of the car as the guy's pulled out.

0:35:28 > 0:35:30And he's gone over the handlebars,

0:35:30 > 0:35:33flipped over the car and landed where he was, so...

0:35:33 > 0:35:38I think he has moved. He did take his own helmet off, unfortunately.

0:35:42 > 0:35:44Have you got any pain in your pelvis at all, Martin?

0:35:44 > 0:35:48- Can I just have a little...? - Yeah, you carry on.

0:35:48 > 0:35:51The only pain I've got is in my right shoulder blade at the back.

0:35:51 > 0:35:56- Any pains at all when I'm touching you?- No, I've got no pains in the bottom half.

0:35:56 > 0:35:59Basically because this chap's come off his bike

0:35:59 > 0:36:01and somersaulted, landed in the road,

0:36:01 > 0:36:03we're going to protect his pelvis by putting a belt on,

0:36:03 > 0:36:05protecting his neck by putting a collar on

0:36:05 > 0:36:08and then we're going to immobilise him by putting him on the scoop.

0:36:08 > 0:36:09Are we all good to go?

0:36:11 > 0:36:13Ready, set, roll.

0:36:15 > 0:36:18We're just going to pull a few bits out.

0:36:18 > 0:36:20Any new pain anywhere when we rolled?

0:36:20 > 0:36:22- Just the back of the shoulder.- Just uncomfortable

0:36:22 > 0:36:25at the back of the right shoulder. OK, fine.

0:36:27 > 0:36:29Ready, set, lower.

0:36:32 > 0:36:34With Martin immobilised,

0:36:34 > 0:36:36Mark can hand over to the road ambulance crew.

0:36:36 > 0:36:39They'll rush him to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro

0:36:39 > 0:36:4220 miles away, for urgent specialist care.

0:36:44 > 0:36:47Luckily, his helmet's saved him a big injury to his head.

0:36:47 > 0:36:51Cos even that has collapsed and he's got a laceration to his forehead.

0:36:51 > 0:36:54We need to get him to hospital to get his neck X-rayed. He's going

0:36:54 > 0:36:56to need some stitches on the laceration to his forehead.

0:36:56 > 0:36:59But apart from that, all his observations are stable.

0:36:59 > 0:37:03His heart rate is stable, his respiratory rate is stable

0:37:03 > 0:37:06and his blood pressure's all good, so he's just a lucky boy.

0:37:08 > 0:37:11The same can't be said for his bike.

0:37:11 > 0:37:16Dad Ivan, also a biker, thinks his son's biking days might be over.

0:37:16 > 0:37:18I think he might decide that himself,

0:37:18 > 0:37:21but I might have to give it up as well.

0:37:21 > 0:37:23We shall see.

0:37:24 > 0:37:27It looks like Martin's injuries aren't serious

0:37:27 > 0:37:29but it could have been a very different story.

0:37:31 > 0:37:33There's a lot of things that could have happened.

0:37:33 > 0:37:35The bike could have hit him,

0:37:35 > 0:37:39he could have hit an oncoming car, but he's been very, very lucky.

0:37:40 > 0:37:45And due to the fact that he is not that badly injured and

0:37:45 > 0:37:48he can get into hospital by road fairly quickly,

0:37:48 > 0:37:52it's just better all round to take him in by land ambulance.

0:37:54 > 0:37:58And we're available now to see anybody who might be really poorly.

0:38:05 > 0:38:09Back on the West coast of Scotland, fence builder Hughie might have

0:38:09 > 0:38:13broken his hip after he parted company with his quad bike.

0:38:14 > 0:38:19What we'll do, we'll move on "ready, set, roll." OK?

0:38:19 > 0:38:23In monsoon conditions, the Search and Rescue crew is on the scene.

0:38:23 > 0:38:27OK, if at any stage you get a lot of pain, you need to let us know.

0:38:27 > 0:38:30OK? Ready, set, roll.

0:38:33 > 0:38:37It was a team of workmen who were building a fence

0:38:37 > 0:38:40and they were using the quad bikes to carry all their equipment.

0:38:40 > 0:38:44Unfortunately, the casualty had gone up on quite a steep bank,

0:38:44 > 0:38:49misjudged how steep it actually was and the quad bike rolled over.

0:38:49 > 0:38:53Fortunately, he jumped off quickly before he actually went

0:38:53 > 0:38:55the whole way down with the quad bike.

0:38:57 > 0:39:01In this weather, Hughie's lucky that help reached him so quickly.

0:39:04 > 0:39:09There was a significant downpour so we had to get the casualty

0:39:09 > 0:39:12stabilised and then carried him over to the aircraft.

0:39:13 > 0:39:16Once out of the elements and into the dry cab,

0:39:16 > 0:39:18Hughie can be checked out properly.

0:39:19 > 0:39:22Broken bones will need specialist care in Glasgow,

0:39:22 > 0:39:25otherwise he can go to Belford Hospital in Fort William.

0:39:27 > 0:39:31OK. Ready? I'll take your medical advice, fellas, in the back,

0:39:31 > 0:39:34but obviously it's a lot quicker to Belford.

0:39:34 > 0:39:38- But it's up to you two, you make the call.- Robin's just having a look now.

0:39:43 > 0:39:46It's painful, but Hughie can move his legs.

0:39:47 > 0:39:50The verdict - serious bruising rather than broken bones.

0:39:51 > 0:39:54All right, mate, Belford we're happy with.

0:39:54 > 0:39:56- Going for Belford, are you? - Yeah.- I'll tell Kinloss.

0:39:56 > 0:39:59No obvious injuries - probably just heavy bruising or something.

0:40:21 > 0:40:25They're saving 40 minutes by avoiding going to Glasgow.

0:40:25 > 0:40:27But even on the shorter journey,

0:40:27 > 0:40:29the vibrations of the Sea King will hurt.

0:40:29 > 0:40:31Time for some pain relief.

0:40:47 > 0:40:49You're all right at the moment. OK.

0:40:49 > 0:40:52These people who work outdoors in this kind of weather,

0:40:52 > 0:40:55they're quite a tough breed and they probably

0:40:55 > 0:40:58don't like admitting that they are properly in pain.

0:41:01 > 0:41:04Just 15 minutes after leaving the hill, they're

0:41:04 > 0:41:05coming into land at Torlundy.

0:41:07 > 0:41:10Belford Hospital is just a few minutes further by road.

0:41:20 > 0:41:23He will have to retrieve his quad bike at some point.

0:41:23 > 0:41:26But Hughie's day could have ended very differently.

0:41:48 > 0:41:51Luck's definitely been on his side today,

0:41:51 > 0:41:53and he's grateful to the Gannet lads.

0:42:12 > 0:42:14There is no doubt mobiles help.

0:42:14 > 0:42:18But it's the people on the end of the line who save the day, ready

0:42:18 > 0:42:22to respond to emergency calls around the clock, whatever the weather.

0:42:35 > 0:42:38It's all go for Britain's rural emergency services.

0:42:42 > 0:42:44Fencer Hughie has made a good recovery.

0:42:44 > 0:42:48He's riding his quad bike again, and has finished that fencing job.

0:42:51 > 0:42:55Biker Martin needed seven stitches above his eyebrow. Otherwise

0:42:55 > 0:42:58he escaped with severe bruising rather than breaks.

0:42:58 > 0:43:00And he's back out on the road.

0:43:02 > 0:43:06Surfer Liam was fortunate not to have fractured his finger.

0:43:06 > 0:43:09Hopefully, he's dealt a better hand next time he takes to the waves.

0:43:12 > 0:43:14It's all happening in the countryside.