0:00:02 > 0:00:04From the Highlands of Scotland
0:00:04 > 0:00:06to the coast of Cornwall,
0:00:06 > 0:00:10the Great British countryside is spectacular.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14But we work and play in it at our peril.
0:00:16 > 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.
0:00:26 > 0:00:30You're under arrest for failing to stop for police!
0:00:30 > 0:00:33..going hundreds of miles against the clock,
0:00:33 > 0:00:36battling the elements and braving the weather.
0:00:38 > 0:00:39Lower the winch.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43From fields and forests
0:00:43 > 0:00:45to cliffs and country roads,
0:00:45 > 0:00:48we'll be right at the heart of the action...
0:00:49 > 0:00:51with police fighting crime...
0:00:51 > 0:00:55I've got suspicions that there might be cannabis being used.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57..paramedics saving lives...
0:00:57 > 0:00:59BABY CRIES
0:00:59 > 0:01:02..and wardens safeguarding our lakes.
0:01:02 > 0:01:03Come out of the way!
0:01:04 > 0:01:08We're there as the emergency services pull together to
0:01:08 > 0:01:11pick up, patch up, and protect the public.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15This is Countryside 999.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Coming up...
0:01:36 > 0:01:38in Country Durham, police join fire
0:01:38 > 0:01:41and ambulance crews at a head-on collision.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49Lake wardens and animal welfare officers unite to help
0:01:49 > 0:01:51a distressed swan in Cumbria.
0:01:53 > 0:01:54That one over there by the...
0:01:54 > 0:01:56Front one as we're looking now, yeah.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01And it's all hands on deck on the Isle of Man to save a badly
0:02:01 > 0:02:03injured fisherman.
0:02:05 > 0:02:06Ready, steady, back.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08Ah! Don't straighten my leg!
0:02:20 > 0:02:24Lake Windermere in Cumbria.
0:02:27 > 0:02:3010.5 miles of natural fresh water
0:02:30 > 0:02:33stretching through the stunning Lake District National Park.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41Patrolling its huge expanse
0:02:41 > 0:02:44are the South Lakeland District Council's lake wardens.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49They look after the safety of lake users, whether people...
0:02:49 > 0:02:50Everything OK?
0:02:50 > 0:02:52Just a bit choppy today, isn't it?
0:02:54 > 0:02:56..or wildlife.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05On duty today is Steve Phelps.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09It's not a bad office to work in, Windermere.
0:03:09 > 0:03:10It's such a special place to be
0:03:10 > 0:03:13and we're so privileged to be able to work here.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17I've been here now 20 years and I don't see myself going anywhere
0:03:17 > 0:03:20before I retire. This is me for life, I think.
0:03:22 > 0:03:27Windermere is a magnet for tourists, outdoor enthusiasts and sailors.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31But today, Steve's had an unusual request for help.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35Gentleman's brought his boat down from Ambleside
0:03:35 > 0:03:37in the north end of the lake this morning.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40He's found a grey squirrel sat on the top of his mast.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43Doesn't want the grey squirrel on the top of his mast
0:03:43 > 0:03:45so we'll go and see what we can do with him to try and get rid of it.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50Grey squirrels can swim,
0:03:50 > 0:03:53but sailor John just wants him off so he can carry on with his trip.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58Well, it rained all last night, and I'm 100 yards off shore,
0:03:58 > 0:03:59my mooring,
0:03:59 > 0:04:03and I woke up and he was pootling around the deck.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05Bone dry, even though it had rained all night.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08He ran down the boat and tried to get off the anchor at the front.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12And when he realised there was water there, he went up there.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16And that's where he's stayed.
0:04:21 > 0:04:26Steve hopes swinging the boat might encourage the furry fiend down.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34His tail's still wrapped round.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36HE LAUGHS
0:04:39 > 0:04:42But the squirrel stays put.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44Next, the long-necked net.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53Go on. You can do it, fella. Go on.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55Go on, fella.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04Good lad.
0:05:04 > 0:05:05Yeah, watch him, though...
0:05:05 > 0:05:07He's going to be in the cabin.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11He'll be up the mast. Just keep your pole with him.
0:05:13 > 0:05:14Oi! He's going up...
0:05:15 > 0:05:18You keep him away from the mast.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22No, no, no, no!
0:05:22 > 0:05:25The little grey fella's got one over on Steve.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32It's a wild animal and it's scared,
0:05:32 > 0:05:35so we're going to let the thing settle down and then, hopefully,
0:05:35 > 0:05:37with a bit of luck, we'll give it another go
0:05:37 > 0:05:39and we might be able to get him down.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45For now, it's back out on lake patrol.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55It's a beautiful afternoon and I've just had to escape out here
0:05:55 > 0:05:58cos I'm traumatised by the fact that that squirrel beat me!
0:06:04 > 0:06:06But soon, nature calls again.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Just heard over the radio that Kath, my colleague
0:06:10 > 0:06:15from the National Park Authority, is following a boat at the moment which
0:06:15 > 0:06:20has a distressed swan which looks like it's swallowed a fishing hook.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24I'll just go across in case Kath, who's on her own, needs any
0:06:24 > 0:06:27help to pick the swan up and bring it back to our base.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33The swan has been spotted near an island in the lake
0:06:33 > 0:06:34called Belle Isle...
0:06:36 > 0:06:40about half a mile from Steve's location in Sourpool Wyke.
0:06:43 > 0:06:48Problem that you often get is someone will come and report a swan
0:06:48 > 0:06:51in distress or a bird in distress
0:06:51 > 0:06:53and, unfortunately, there are hundreds of them out here.
0:06:53 > 0:06:58Fortunately, a case like this where, allegedly, it's got a fishing
0:06:58 > 0:07:02hook entangled, should be fairly easy to establish where it is.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06The RSPCA's flat out on other calls today,
0:07:06 > 0:07:08so for now Steve's on his own.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14Then he comes across the people who reported the swan.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16We've got a picture of it.
0:07:16 > 0:07:17Thank you.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24- Clearly in distress.- Yeah.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27- We'll go and have a look.- OK. - Thank you very much for your help.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30- Great service, thanks very much. - No problem, thanks.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32They spotted it about eight minutes ago
0:07:32 > 0:07:36somewhere between Belle Isle and the islands known as The Lilies.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43As Steve approaches Belle Isle, it looks like he's getting warm.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47- Yeah, it's got the fishing lure hanging out.- Yeah.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50Swallowed the rest of it. It went off down that way.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52- That way, right, fine. - Yeah, a few minutes ago.
0:07:52 > 0:07:53That's exactly what we're looking for.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56There's just one here which isn't going very far,
0:07:56 > 0:07:59which might be the one, but we'll have a trip up that lake
0:07:59 > 0:08:00shore and see what we can find.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03This one doesn't look too happy so we'll go
0:08:03 > 0:08:05and have a look at this one.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10I think that's it.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13There's definitely something hanging out there, look.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Yeah, that's the one.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18You see the lure down by its body?
0:08:20 > 0:08:24A large fishing lure, or artificial bait, attached to the fishing line
0:08:24 > 0:08:26is hanging from the mute swan's beak.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29Yeah, found it, Kath.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31It could have swallowed the hook.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36Every year in Britain, around 3,000 swans
0:08:36 > 0:08:39injured by fishing litter are rescued.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41Sadly, many don't survive.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51Lake ranger Kath usually enforces the law on the lake,
0:08:51 > 0:08:53but today she's joining Steve in helping the swan.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59They'll try to get close enough to catch it
0:08:59 > 0:09:01with a specially-designed swan hook.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05Dealing with stressed animals can be difficult.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07They don't realise that you're trying to help, you know.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09So they can get a little bit feisty.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15You're going to have to be fairly ruthless.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20It's had enough, I think. It just...
0:09:20 > 0:09:21"I'm going to hide."
0:09:29 > 0:09:31It's obviously very wary of us now
0:09:31 > 0:09:33because it's staying close into the shoreline.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35We can't get that close in.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39This is what can happen when unscrupulous fishermen
0:09:39 > 0:09:41don't play a fair game.
0:09:41 > 0:09:42Wildlife suffer.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45Fortunately, this swan isn't suffering.
0:09:45 > 0:09:46It's swimming freely, it's feeding.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49It's a hindrance rather than a danger at the moment.
0:09:51 > 0:09:52They want to help,
0:09:52 > 0:09:56but catching this swan's going to need the expertise of the RSPCA.
0:09:58 > 0:09:59We'll leave it alone.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02There's always tomorrow and we'll go looking again.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06It's back to base for Steve,
0:10:06 > 0:10:09where the squirrel has found a new boat for its home.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12The squirrel's safe on top of the mast.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15RSPCA said as soon as it gets quiet and dark, he'll be down
0:10:15 > 0:10:17and into the trees which are close by.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20They say there'll be no harm come to the swan overnight.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22They're going to send a crew up tomorrow.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25Yeah, good day. I mean, it's different, you know.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27A little frustrating that it's two-nil to the wildlife,
0:10:27 > 0:10:29but, hey, there's always another day.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32Let's see if we can make a draw by the end of tomorrow.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46The Isle of Man.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Almost 100 miles of spectacular coastline...
0:10:57 > 0:10:59with a rich maritime heritage.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08Helping to look after the island's 85,000 residents
0:11:08 > 0:11:11is emergency medical technician Shaun Cannon.
0:11:13 > 0:11:18In his five years with the ambulance service, he's treated the young...
0:11:18 > 0:11:21Just put your head back like that. Let me have a little look.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24Oh, yeah. That's good. You hold it there again.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27..and the not-so-young.
0:11:27 > 0:11:28I'm just going to put that into your ear.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31I'm just going to do your temperature.
0:11:31 > 0:11:3336.5, that's absolutely perfect.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38Today, Shaun's partnering paramedic Janet Cornwald
0:11:38 > 0:11:42when they're called to the main hospital's helipad urgently.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03The fisherman was 16 miles off the island's south coast
0:12:03 > 0:12:06when he sustained a massive blunt-force injury
0:12:06 > 0:12:08from a heavy piece of falling equipment.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14A coastguard helicopter from Caernarfon, 50 miles away
0:12:14 > 0:12:15in Wales, has raced to his aid,
0:12:15 > 0:12:17along with a local lifeboat.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23He's now being airlifted to Noble's Hospital in Douglas.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27A-108. We're on scene, over.
0:12:27 > 0:12:28All received. Thank you.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42An hour after receiving the call, the coastguard chopper has landed.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52Shaun and Janet will take the fisherman to A & E.
0:12:52 > 0:12:53Can we get the...
0:12:58 > 0:13:01- Yeah, sure.- Happy?- Yep. - That sounds good.
0:13:09 > 0:13:1224-year-old John was catching scallops
0:13:12 > 0:13:14at the time of the accident.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17The heavy blow to his side has caused a massive open wound.
0:13:24 > 0:13:25OK.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28Search and rescue winchman Rich Taylor
0:13:28 > 0:13:30has stemmed the bleeding,
0:13:30 > 0:13:34immobilised the pelvis and given Entonox, a pain-relieving gas.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39John needs very careful handling.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45Now, we've got Entonox here so we need to bring that...
0:13:45 > 0:13:46Either bring that with us or...
0:13:47 > 0:13:49We'll take it away for now.
0:13:49 > 0:13:50It's all right, I've got it.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53- If he wants to keep hold of it. - He doesn't want to keep on it, no.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56Normally, if they're that injured they'll be flown direct to the
0:13:56 > 0:13:57UK to a major trauma centre.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01But on this occasion, the paramedic on the helicopter struggled
0:14:01 > 0:14:05to get IV access due to the patient being quite shut down and cold.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11Last year, Noble's Hospital received five search and rescue
0:14:11 > 0:14:15helicopters carrying casualties from the surrounding seas.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19Transport to hospital here is about a minute, all right.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22We'll get straight in there and see about getting a doctor,
0:14:22 > 0:14:24get some pain relief for you.
0:14:24 > 0:14:29Winchman Rich stays with John for the A & E handover.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32Just relax, mate. We'll get you in soon.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38- Lift your arm. - Another BP and let's have a look.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41It's just tightening up on your arm, mate, OK.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43Just keep it as relaxed as you can for us.
0:14:43 > 0:14:44Which boat are you on?
0:14:45 > 0:14:47Amelia.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50I know of it, yeah.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56Every year, around 12 fishermen die from accidents at sea in Britain.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08At A & E, the trauma team are waiting.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12OK, so knocked to the ground.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16He sustained a wound, an open wound to his left hip, which just
0:15:16 > 0:15:19kind of follows the belt line-ish and is about eight inches.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22It does bleed, but I've managed to get a bit of a dressing on there,
0:15:22 > 0:15:26but he was in a really awkward spot on his side down the side
0:15:26 > 0:15:29of the boat, so nothing's pretty, I'm afraid.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32He's in a lot of pain on movement, as well.
0:15:32 > 0:15:33OK, when everyone's ready.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35We'll go on three.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37One, two, three.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44It's been an eventful hour and a half for winchman Rich.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49The boat was still in the water so I went onto the lifeboat.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51We then transferred on the fishing vessel
0:15:51 > 0:15:53and the RNLI lads were fantastic,
0:15:53 > 0:15:57helping me assess and stabilise this guy, get him into a stretcher.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00Difficult transfer across to the lifeboat
0:16:00 > 0:16:03and up to the aircraft and quickly whipped him
0:16:03 > 0:16:05into hospital, where the team are working on the young lad now.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09For a small hospital like Noble's,
0:16:09 > 0:16:12an extra pair of hands can be invaluable.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15John's injuries are difficult to get to
0:16:15 > 0:16:19and potentially life-threatening, so Shaun's asked to stay on.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21OK, ready, everybody?
0:16:21 > 0:16:22Ready, steady, go.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Well done. You're not going to fall out.
0:16:28 > 0:16:29Any pain down here, John?
0:16:31 > 0:16:34Shaun helps with a procedure called a log roll, where John is
0:16:34 > 0:16:39carefully unwrapped and assessed for injuries on all sides.
0:16:39 > 0:16:40- Everybody ready?- Yep.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Ready, steady, back.
0:16:44 > 0:16:45Argh, don't straighten my leg!
0:16:45 > 0:16:48All right, all right.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50Yeah, what we just need to do is get you off the board
0:16:50 > 0:16:52then we'll get you as comfy as we can, OK.
0:16:52 > 0:16:53With so many layers of clothing, it
0:16:53 > 0:16:55takes time to get to John's injuries.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57- Everybody ready?- Yes.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59Ready, steady, lift.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10Just taking the board out now, John. Make you more comfortable, OK?
0:17:10 > 0:17:13Shaun's seen cases like this before.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16I've been part of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution
0:17:16 > 0:17:18for the last 15 years,
0:17:18 > 0:17:21so I've been to fishermen that are injured and sick, and I do
0:17:21 > 0:17:25feel for them because it is a very, very dangerous job that they're in.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28Accidents do occur. So, yeah, I did feel for him.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36Doctor Faisal Khan must build up a complete picture of John's injuries.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40His pulse, blood pressure is holding on.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43He's conscious, he's talking to us.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47He's waiting at the moment to be going for CT scan of his chest,
0:17:47 > 0:17:51abdomen and pelvis, and afterwards, he is going to operation theatre.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59After X-ray, Shaun hears the fisherman will be flown
0:17:59 > 0:18:02to a major trauma centre at Liverpool's Aintree Hospital.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07The X-ray reveals why.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13We're just looking at the patient from the fishing boat X-ray,
0:18:13 > 0:18:16and he's got quite a serious fracture of his pelvis.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18So I think that's why they're contemplating getting him
0:18:18 > 0:18:21flown to Aintree to the major trauma centre.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28John's twisted, fractured pelvis
0:18:28 > 0:18:30needs specialist care on the mainland.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33His pelvic injury was substantial,
0:18:33 > 0:18:37so I think that's going to take a lot of rehabilitation.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41Whether he'll ever walk properly again, I don't know.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43The surgeries they do now are fantastic so,
0:18:43 > 0:18:46fingers crossed, he'll make a full recovery.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05At Lake Windermere in Cumbria...
0:19:10 > 0:19:13lake warden Steve Phelps is back on duty.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16Right, well, it's a new day today.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20A new morning, lovely morning again and the good news is that
0:19:20 > 0:19:22yesterday's squirrel has disappeared.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24He's probably in these trees here to our left,
0:19:24 > 0:19:26so we've redeemed ourselves.
0:19:26 > 0:19:27So it's 2-1 to the wildlife
0:19:27 > 0:19:30and let's hope we can get the swan and make it a draw.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36Today, the RSPCA are joining the swan rescue.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38Steve Phelps, lake warden. How do you do?
0:19:38 > 0:19:40- Rob Malloy, RSPCA.- Good on you, Rob.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43It's on a beach where, traditionally, people feed them.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46So it's in a place where it's probably happy
0:19:46 > 0:19:48and they do get quite far out of the water.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53They've heard the swan's moved east from Belle Isle to Bowness Bay,
0:19:53 > 0:19:56a bustling tourist hotspot and marina.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00They hatch a plan.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03Animal welfare officer Nick Green will join Steve on his boat
0:20:03 > 0:20:05and approach the swan from the water...
0:20:08 > 0:20:12while his colleagues drive to Bowness Bay to help from the land.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16Last summer, the number of swans admitted to the RSPCA's
0:20:16 > 0:20:20Wildlife Centre because of fishing tackle more than tripled.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23It's an absolute nightmare.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25I mean, we used to find a lot of the time, it was
0:20:25 > 0:20:27sort of kids leaving the line,
0:20:27 > 0:20:29but it can be anyone now and it's just...
0:20:29 > 0:20:32It is a major problem, you know, not only for our resources,
0:20:32 > 0:20:35but, more importantly, you know, the animals are getting tied up
0:20:35 > 0:20:38and it's all sorts. You know, gulls, you name it.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42Simple steps like taking unwanted fishing line home
0:20:42 > 0:20:46and cutting it into tiny pieces before binning
0:20:46 > 0:20:48can help avoid wildlife suffering.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54We've got two RSPCA officers on shoreline.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56We've got Nick with us, who's an RSPCA officer
0:20:56 > 0:20:59who's got his dry suit on and a couple of swan hooks.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01We're hoping we're going to be able to find it
0:21:01 > 0:21:03and then deal with the problem.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05We'll give it our best shot, that's all we can say.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09Nick gets an update from his colleagues on shore
0:21:09 > 0:21:11who've spotted the swan.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24Within five minutes, they arrive.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31And it's not too long before they find their swan.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34He's going to be under that pier before I get anywhere near him.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40If the swan goes under the pier, it's not going to make things easy.
0:21:52 > 0:21:53It's pretty shallow.
0:21:53 > 0:21:58Eagle-eyed Steve spots the swan on the other side of the pier.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00That one over there by the...
0:22:00 > 0:22:03Front one as we're looking now, yeah.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07So Nick prepares to swoop in.
0:22:07 > 0:22:08It gets shallow in here.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10But not just yet.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13Just going to get out in the water.
0:22:13 > 0:22:14Right, go.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24It's swan-demonium.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29But with some expert handling,
0:22:29 > 0:22:30it's nabbed.
0:22:35 > 0:22:40RSPCA Chief Inspector Rob Malloy has met them from the land.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43He tries to gently remove the fishing line...
0:22:43 > 0:22:45but it's firmly lodged.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50There's a danger the swan has swallowed the hook.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57This beautiful bird needs a vet.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03Unfortunately, the line is quite far down. I've had a quick look now.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05Sometimes you can actually pull the line out very slowly.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08The worrying thing is, obviously, it's a hook at the other end
0:23:08 > 0:23:10so, obviously, we don't want to start pulling it out
0:23:10 > 0:23:12because the hook's going to catch on it.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16So, quite a big lure on it, quite heavy.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18We're going to put it straight in the van,
0:23:18 > 0:23:19go straight up to the vet's.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21We'll know a little bit more once the vet's had a look.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23May have to X-ray just see if there's anything there.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26He may just be able to pull it out very slowly.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30It helps that we've a good boat and a good driver, as well.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32Fishing line is an absolute nightmare,
0:23:32 > 0:23:35you know, for the animals, especially swans.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39I would say I probably deal with about three or four a week.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42On a busy that can be up to, you know, ten-plus.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44It's just asking people to be responsible, really.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47Taking the line, you know, picking it up after them.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49Today's rescue has gone well.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54I just think it's a wonderful end to a couple of days' hard work.
0:23:54 > 0:24:00It just shows how inter-team cooperation really does work.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04So I'm going to retire now, and as far as I'm concerned,
0:24:04 > 0:24:06it's two to the wildlife and two to Steve,
0:24:06 > 0:24:09with a little bit of help from the RSPCA. Thanks very much.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13But for the swan, it's not over.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17If it has swallowed the fishing hook, it may not survive.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32From wardens in the wilds...
0:24:32 > 0:24:35to police on country roads...
0:24:38 > 0:24:41when it comes to saving lives, teamwork can be crucial.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51In Consett, County Durham,
0:24:51 > 0:24:54police officer of two years David Taylor
0:24:54 > 0:24:57knows just how important that is.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05Today, David's racing to a serious road traffic collision,
0:25:05 > 0:25:07or RTC, involving two cars.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39The collision's happened near Consett
0:25:39 > 0:25:42on the A691, a main arterial road.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49Over 1,700 people are killed on Britain's roads every year...
0:25:50 > 0:25:5260% on country roads.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58In less than five minutes, David arrives.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08The drivers of the two cars are the only people involved.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13Fire, ambulance and police are all on-scene.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20A police officer at the scene updates David.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22- Scott's blocking off the roundabout there.- Right.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24Going to get PCSO down to block the roundabout down here,
0:26:24 > 0:26:26- sorry, the turning here.- Yeah.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29So should be all right once we get those two vehicles in place.
0:26:29 > 0:26:30Right, OK.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33We've got the road blocked off at both sides.
0:26:33 > 0:26:34Obviously, the traffic's blocked
0:26:34 > 0:26:37off by the vehicles and also our vehicles.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40So we're just getting other units down just to make sure
0:26:40 > 0:26:44that vehicles are turned round, so there's no traffic congestion.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53Using a powerful hydraulic tool known as the Jaws Of Life,
0:26:53 > 0:26:56firefighters take the roof off the silver car
0:26:56 > 0:26:58to reach the trapped driver.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06At times like these, the combined forces of police,
0:27:06 > 0:27:10fire and ambulance can make all the difference to a casualty's outcome.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22David has been trying to find witnesses
0:27:22 > 0:27:25whilst staying across the situation.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28We've blocked the roads off both sides.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32We're also trying to conduct our enquiries, as well, with people at
0:27:32 > 0:27:35buildings nearby to see whether anyone's seen anything.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40PC Donna Hicks and a colleague
0:27:40 > 0:27:43came across the collision soon after it happened.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22In the red car is 62-year-old Margaret.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25The person in the other red car's suffering from neck injuries.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27We're going to have to try and get them out of that vehicle, as well.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29May need the roof taken off that car, as well,
0:28:29 > 0:28:32if they can't be moved.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35The first driver has been taken away, but Margaret is still
0:28:35 > 0:28:39trapped and has severe pain in her neck, leg and back.
0:28:50 > 0:28:55Firemen have covered Margaret with a protective sheet
0:28:55 > 0:28:58and are carefully removing the roof of the car.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06The roof's had to be removed from the vehicle cos it looked like
0:29:06 > 0:29:07she's got a spinal injury.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10They're going to be taken out, probably on a spinal board,
0:29:10 > 0:29:12and put in the ambulance and then taken away from the scene.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20With the roof now off, it's clear Margaret needs pain relief
0:29:20 > 0:29:22before they can attempt to move her.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32It looks like her injuries are serious.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37Sometimes it can be a bit more dangerous if someone isn't
0:29:37 > 0:29:39exhibiting any outward signs because
0:29:39 > 0:29:41you don't know what level of injury they've got.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44So, I would imagine that the fire brigade and the ambulance service
0:29:44 > 0:29:46are going to be extra, extra careful with her.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55Margaret's in a critical state.
0:29:55 > 0:29:59- Guys, can we get the board horizontal?- Just press there, lad.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04She needs to get to A & E.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10SIREN WAILS
0:30:24 > 0:30:28The breathtaking Lake District National Park in Cumbria.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31We love it.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36And the wildlife does, too.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42But sometimes our two worlds collide.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49At Windermere, lake wardens and the RSPCA have rescued a swan
0:30:49 > 0:30:51that's swallowed a fishing line.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01Animal welfare officer Will Lamping has taken the swan
0:31:01 > 0:31:04ten miles to Kendal, and to local vet Jennifer Harris.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08Thank you, come on in.
0:31:08 > 0:31:12Will is worried the swan may have swallowed a fishing hook.
0:31:13 > 0:31:17If you could pop him on here, that would be great, thanks, Will.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24IT HISSES
0:31:24 > 0:31:26If Jennifer can see the hook,
0:31:26 > 0:31:29she might be able to remove it straightaway.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31But it's not looking good.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34Yeah, it does look like it's gone quite far down.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38All I can see at the moment is the nylon fishing wire.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40Yeah, I think it's gone down into the oesophagus.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43We can certainly anesthetise and X-ray
0:31:43 > 0:31:44and see what we're doing from there.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46It's a nylon fishing wire.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50And it's got quite a bit of tension on it.
0:31:50 > 0:31:51Let me get you some drugs, little man.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56To minimise the swan's distress,
0:31:56 > 0:31:59it needs to be anesthetised before X-ray.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07How does he feel at your end, Debbie? Feel a bit loose?
0:32:07 > 0:32:09OK.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12Just leave that there for a sec and have a look at his head.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21If a hook shows up on the X-ray,
0:32:21 > 0:32:24a pair of scissors will act as a reference point for Jennifer.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27Just put a little marker mid-neck.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30OK.
0:32:45 > 0:32:49So we can see the nylon fishing line.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53We're just trying to look to see where the hook will have gone.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56Maybe we'll take another X-ray further down, I think.
0:32:57 > 0:33:01Fishing line, hooks and weights can all cause internal injury
0:33:01 > 0:33:03and poisoning.
0:33:03 > 0:33:07Jennifer opts for two more X-rays in case there's a hook further down.
0:33:09 > 0:33:10First, its neck...
0:33:15 > 0:33:16and then its stomach.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23Can't see anything down here at all.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25In the gizzard.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27I'm pretty sure we haven't missed anywhere.
0:33:29 > 0:33:30It's decision time.
0:33:32 > 0:33:36It's a really difficult one cos we fully expected to be able to
0:33:36 > 0:33:39identify a hook, if not in the mouth, definitely radiographically.
0:33:39 > 0:33:43Looks like the nylon line is still going down, so there's a potential
0:33:43 > 0:33:45that that could then get stuck,
0:33:45 > 0:33:48so we're going to snip the nylon line that we've got,
0:33:48 > 0:33:51so at least we can detach a lot of the fishing tackle.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55Essentially, let the bit of nylon line keep
0:33:55 > 0:33:58going down the oesophagus and keep him in and monitor him
0:33:58 > 0:34:01just to see what happens from there.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06Finally, the swan can be cut loose from the heavy fishing lure.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10I'm going to snip it as far down as I possibly can.
0:34:14 > 0:34:15OK.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17That's it.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20Even if... You all right there, Will?
0:34:21 > 0:34:25As it wakes up, it's moved to its own private ward.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30OK. Thanks, Will.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34OK, we'll keep an eye on him as he becomes a bit more conscious.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37Best-case scenario, he's a good recovery from his anaesthetic
0:34:37 > 0:34:38and his X-rays.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40We'll monitor him for a few days,
0:34:40 > 0:34:44make sure he's eating as well as our other swan in-patient
0:34:44 > 0:34:47and following two or three days of monitoring,
0:34:47 > 0:34:52we'll see if he can be released back in his own environment.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08A week later, Will returns to the vet.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11- Morning.- Morning, Will. How are you?
0:35:11 > 0:35:12So he's ready to go, then, this one?
0:35:12 > 0:35:15Yeah, he's doing really well. He's been eating very well.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17Once he got the stress over from the anaesthetic.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19So he's good to be back to be released into Windermere.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22- Thank you.- Fantastic. Did he pass the line in the end?
0:35:22 > 0:35:23No, nothing passed at the moment
0:35:23 > 0:35:25so there could be something circulating in there,
0:35:25 > 0:35:29but he's been passing motions and eating really ravenously,
0:35:29 > 0:35:30so we're happy for him to go.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39- Very feisty.- No problems.- OK.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41SWAN HISSES
0:35:49 > 0:35:52The swan's back to its plucky self.
0:35:52 > 0:35:56It's OK. If you could just help with the doors, that would be great.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58He is a little bit grumpy. We'll have him away quick.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11And back at Lake Windermere, Will's found the perfect release spot.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25So we've just come back to Lake Windermere now and just down back
0:36:25 > 0:36:28on the warden's office, so we can pop him just somewhere he knows and
0:36:28 > 0:36:31he's used to and, possibly, the wardens can just
0:36:31 > 0:36:32keep an eye on him, as well, just in case
0:36:32 > 0:36:34he wants to get into any bother.
0:36:34 > 0:36:38He's got his energy back and, yeah, should give him a good chance.
0:36:48 > 0:36:49It's really nice to see, you know.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52It's rewarding when you can see them go back and go back
0:36:52 > 0:36:55to the environment that they belong in. Yeah, it's a good feeling.
0:37:07 > 0:37:11Over water and on land, our rescue services pull together
0:37:11 > 0:37:13when it matters most.
0:37:13 > 0:37:1790 miles away from Windermere, in Country Durham,
0:37:17 > 0:37:20PC David Taylor has been attending a serious two-car collision,
0:37:20 > 0:37:22alongside fire and ambulance.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29Three people die on rural roads every day in accidents like this.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34Driver Margaret is so badly injured
0:37:34 > 0:37:38she's been carefully removed from her car and taken to A & E.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42I think anyone who says that it doesn't affect them in any way
0:37:42 > 0:37:45would be lying, to be honest.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48I think, deep down, any kind of incident when someone's got hurt,
0:37:48 > 0:37:50we've all got emotions and we've all got families.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52So it's never nice seeing people injured,
0:37:52 > 0:37:55but, I think, when you attend something like this,
0:37:55 > 0:37:58the job just takes over and you just focus on what
0:37:58 > 0:38:01needs to be done. The casualties, what needs to be done at the scene.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06It's up to PC Nigel Craig, from the Collision Investigation Unit,
0:38:06 > 0:38:08to get to the bottom of what happened.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12We're on a main arterial road here
0:38:12 > 0:38:14with a speed limit of 60 miles per hour,
0:38:14 > 0:38:16which is an area where you're going to get
0:38:16 > 0:38:19higher speeds of contact between the vehicles.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22We'll start to collect all evidential data that we can.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25It's classified as a serious road traffic accident
0:38:25 > 0:38:26at the moment in time
0:38:26 > 0:38:29because of the nature of the collision and the injuries that we're talking about.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35Margaret was so badly hurt,
0:38:35 > 0:38:39medics told relatives she had only a 50-50 chance of survival.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57Three-and-a-half months after the accident,
0:38:57 > 0:39:00Margaret's back home, at last.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06The day of the accident I'd been, with some friends,
0:39:06 > 0:39:10to a garden centre for lunch and I was on my way home.
0:39:10 > 0:39:15Erm, it was about half past two, in the afternoon.
0:39:15 > 0:39:19I was about five minutes from home when the accident happened,
0:39:19 > 0:39:23but I didn't have any knowledge of, you know, being
0:39:23 > 0:39:26approached by another car, at the time.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29I don't remember anything about that.
0:39:29 > 0:39:33I remember talking to a woman and she was telling me,
0:39:33 > 0:39:38not to move, cos my leg and back were, were quite painful.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47I remember my nephew coming after that,
0:39:47 > 0:39:51and he told me that they were going to take the roof off the car
0:39:51 > 0:39:56and it would be noisy and, you know, everything would be OK
0:39:56 > 0:39:59once they got me out, and that's the last thing I remember.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05Margaret didn't have any external injuries,
0:40:05 > 0:40:08but internally, it was a different matter.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14I had a broken foot.
0:40:14 > 0:40:15I had broken ribs.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20Erm, a fractured pelvis.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22Lacerated liver.
0:40:22 > 0:40:27And, because of the impact of the other vehicle,
0:40:27 > 0:40:30where it hit me on the passenger side,
0:40:30 > 0:40:34my internal organs sort of shifted
0:40:34 > 0:40:37and I had to have an abdominal wall repair
0:40:37 > 0:40:44and mesh inside to keep my organs, erm, where they should be.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47And having, again, the tracheotomy was
0:40:47 > 0:40:50another ordeal on top of that.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01Margaret spent two-and-a-half weeks in intensive care,
0:41:02 > 0:41:05and over two months in hospital,
0:41:05 > 0:41:08where she had a series of operations and intensive rehab.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15The whole thing made me think,
0:41:15 > 0:41:19you've just got to be in the wrong place at the wrong time,
0:41:19 > 0:41:24and in that split second, your whole life changes completely.
0:41:25 > 0:41:30From being an active person who could do what I wanted,
0:41:30 > 0:41:34when I wanted, to being somebody who relied on an awful lot of people.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38Margaret's resilience and the care
0:41:38 > 0:41:41and support she received throughout
0:41:41 > 0:41:42have been a huge help.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47Yes, it's been an awful ordeal,
0:41:47 > 0:41:53but I've come through it at the end, and in a way it's shown me myself
0:41:53 > 0:41:59what sort of person I am, and how, how strong, you know,
0:41:59 > 0:42:02and other people view me like that and they say you are strong you will
0:42:02 > 0:42:06get through this, and it's taken this
0:42:06 > 0:42:08for me to realise yeah, I am.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11I am strong, and I will get through this.
0:42:19 > 0:42:24It's been all go for the emergency services across the British Isles.
0:42:25 > 0:42:27Fisherman John was in hospital for two weeks,
0:42:27 > 0:42:30where he had surgery on his pelvic fracture.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33He was in a wheelchair and on crutches for eight weeks,
0:42:33 > 0:42:35but is now walking again.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38For the moment, though, he's staying on dry land.
0:42:40 > 0:42:44Steve and the RSPCA continue to help wildlife on Lake Windermere.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50But discarded fishing tackle remains a problem.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53And ten months after her accident,
0:42:53 > 0:42:56Margaret is still having regular physio, but she's feeling
0:42:56 > 0:42:59stronger than ever, and is now back driving her car.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06And you thought it was quiet in the countryside.