0:00:05 > 0:00:08The mountains and coastline of Wales -
0:00:08 > 0:00:11beautiful but treacherous.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15'That's all copied, 122 approaching the scene this time.'
0:00:15 > 0:00:18Wales has the busiest RAF Search and Rescue operation
0:00:18 > 0:00:20in the whole of Britain.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23Hundreds of people are saved every year
0:00:23 > 0:00:25by the iconic yellow Sea King helicopters.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30In this series, we follow the real-life rescue stories -
0:00:30 > 0:00:33from mountainside to hospital bedside.
0:00:35 > 0:00:40Our cameras have been allowed behind-the-scenes access to the two RAF flights serving Wales.
0:00:40 > 0:00:41It's Santa Claus and Rudolph!
0:00:44 > 0:00:47With a Royal co-pilot serving within its ranks,
0:00:47 > 0:00:50all eyes are on the Search and Rescue Force like never before.
0:00:50 > 0:00:55This is the story of the men and women who work with Prince William.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03This time on Helicopter Rescue...
0:01:03 > 0:01:07Rescue 122 are between a rock and a hard place
0:01:07 > 0:01:11as they try to rescue an injured student on an Aberystwyth beach.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14We just weren't able to carry her over that sort of terrain.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17It puts the rescuers in danger
0:01:17 > 0:01:19but it also puts the casualty in more danger!
0:01:21 > 0:01:24What happened next to this man stranded on a South Wales cliff edge
0:01:24 > 0:01:27only feet away from the incoming tide?
0:01:27 > 0:01:28He's in trouble for sure.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31We don't want to blow him off.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37And the Sea King crew face their toughest challenge yet
0:01:37 > 0:01:39as they battle to save a father and son
0:01:39 > 0:01:40from a disused quarry
0:01:40 > 0:01:42in Mid Wales.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45That's the most difficult job I've ever had to do.
0:02:01 > 0:02:02It's October half-term.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05Across the country, the week-long holiday
0:02:05 > 0:02:09has brought people out in their droves to enjoy the best of what Wales has to offer.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15But it's no holiday for 22 Squadron's C-Flight.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19Aircraft Captain Matt Thompson and his crew are scrambled.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22A female with an injured leg, I think it's a broken leg...
0:02:22 > 0:02:24She's down in Aberystwyth.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27We have a quick check that nothing's going to affect us.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29It will take about 20 minutes or thereabouts.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32We've got a hospital right next to it, so...it's all good.
0:02:32 > 0:02:33Super. Better run.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40After only eight minutes, all four members of Rescue 122
0:02:40 > 0:02:42are ready for take off.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46On the winch today is Ed Griffiths.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50Any sort of holiday where people will naturally go
0:02:50 > 0:02:52to the coastline or the mountains
0:02:52 > 0:02:54is going to be busy for us.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59Two RAF Search and Rescue flights patrol Wales -
0:02:59 > 0:03:02one based at Royal Marines Barracks Chivenor in the south,
0:03:02 > 0:03:05the other at RAF Valley in the north.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10Last year, the C-Flight crew based on Anglesey,
0:03:10 > 0:03:13rescued more than 230 people.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17Today, their latest call out is to Clarach Bay on the west coast.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20'Four in the party, they're about 25 metres from the water line.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24'The tide's going out so it'll be low tide in another hour and a half.'
0:03:25 > 0:03:28Captain Matt is already planning where to take the casualty
0:03:28 > 0:03:29after the rescue.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31Synopsis of what we're doing then.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34The territory's here, she'll be located just on the beach.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38The hospital's just in the middle of the town, so we've only got...
0:03:38 > 0:03:40As you can see on this map, from there to there to the hospital.
0:03:40 > 0:03:45The casualty being on the beach, it should be quite straightforward for us, really.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49After only half an hour's flying,
0:03:49 > 0:03:51Rescue 122 have reached Clarach beach.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55Coastguard and lifeboat crews are already on the scene.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59A young woman has slipped on the shale rocks by the cliffs.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04But it's a tricky place to land nine tonnes of aircraft.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08Matt needs Ed and radar operator Nick to guide the Sea King
0:04:08 > 0:04:10inch by inch to the ground.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14Oh, left wheel up. Possible nose up. Slightly wobbly land.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18Three...two...one.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21Ed goes straight to the casualty and keeps in radio contact
0:04:21 > 0:04:24with the pilot Kate Simmonds.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27- If it looks too slippy or...- I think it might be a winch recovery.- Yeah.
0:04:27 > 0:04:28Although it appeared a benign place -
0:04:28 > 0:04:31it's on the beach, on the rocks -
0:04:31 > 0:04:34but what appears to be a benign area isn't,
0:04:34 > 0:04:36cos to try and walk across those rocks,
0:04:36 > 0:04:39I was struggling to get there with a bag on my back,
0:04:39 > 0:04:41slipping all over the place,
0:04:41 > 0:04:44cos there's kelp, rock pools and seaweed and all sorts all over.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51Having made it across the rocks, Ed's first job is to assess the casualty.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54Want something for the pain before we start moving it?
0:04:54 > 0:04:57It's been an eventful day for 19-year-old Jenny Barbour.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02The marine biology student from Aberystwyth University slipped
0:05:02 > 0:05:05while collecting samples for her aquarium.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09Now with a suspected fractured leg,
0:05:09 > 0:05:11she needs the Sea King to get her to hospital.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13What first of all may appear...
0:05:13 > 0:05:15"Why are we using a Search and Rescue helicopter to do this?
0:05:15 > 0:05:17"Why doesn't she just get carried off?"
0:05:17 > 0:05:20You weren't able to. It puts the rescuers in danger,
0:05:20 > 0:05:22but it also puts the casualty in more danger.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25To try and carry someone across there, you just aren't able.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27We elected to place her into a stretcher
0:05:27 > 0:05:29and winch her on board the aircraft,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32cos we just weren't able to carry her over that sort of terrain.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Radar operator Nick helps to guide the stretcher into the Sea King.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42Winching in.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45Ten feet to go, just manoeuvring the stretcher.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48- In.- In. Stop!
0:05:53 > 0:05:54- Out.- Out.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00Safe on board, it's only a couple of minutes flying time
0:06:00 > 0:06:02to a landing site.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06Waiting at a sports field in Llanbadarn,
0:06:06 > 0:06:10an ambulance prepares to take Jenny to nearby Bronglais Hospital.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17At their headquarters at RAF Valley,
0:06:17 > 0:06:19it's always all hands on deck.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22All Search and Rescue crew are trained here
0:06:22 > 0:06:24on the yellow Sea King helicopters.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34A 56-strong engineering team work around the clock
0:06:34 > 0:06:37to look after the ultimate Search and Rescue machine.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45These yellow birds receive constant care as engineers make sure
0:06:45 > 0:06:48that of the five Search and Rescue helicopters at Valley,
0:06:48 > 0:06:51two are always ready to respond to a cry for help.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Paul Hughes is amongst a team of five ground handlers
0:06:56 > 0:06:59who know these machines inside and out.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03We're really responsible for seeing the helicopters in and out,
0:07:03 > 0:07:04the movements -
0:07:04 > 0:07:06seeing them off and seeing them in.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08And we do the maintenance on them as well -
0:07:08 > 0:07:10limited servicing, refuelling.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13But our main responsibility is for the flying programme,
0:07:13 > 0:07:16to get the helicopters flying.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Whenever C-Flight need to fly the Sea King's ground crew
0:07:20 > 0:07:22will have her ready and waiting on the tarmac.
0:07:24 > 0:07:25This one's going up, it is.
0:07:25 > 0:07:30So...we take the tip socks off and then wait for the crew.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33It's all fuelled up and ready to go.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40We're usually out there before the air crew,
0:07:40 > 0:07:43getting the cab ready so there's less for them to do
0:07:43 > 0:07:45and just try to get everything running
0:07:45 > 0:07:48as quickly as possible, really.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50In the office next door to C-Flight,
0:07:50 > 0:07:53shift supervisor "Bomber" knows he's only a window away
0:07:53 > 0:07:55from the next shout.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57There's a very close relationship
0:07:57 > 0:08:01between the pilots, rear crew and the engineers.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03We have to liaise very closely with them,
0:08:03 > 0:08:04cos their requirements -
0:08:04 > 0:08:06if it's due in the daylight hours -
0:08:06 > 0:08:09they've got to be airborne within 15 minutes so we have to respond to that.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12If it's at night-time, they've got to be airborne in 45 minutes.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17They've just come back from the Clarach rescue
0:08:17 > 0:08:19but it's an instant turnaround for Matt, Ed
0:08:19 > 0:08:21and the rest of the crew.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24There's another call out, back in Mid Wales.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26This one's an RTC - Road Traffic Collision,
0:08:26 > 0:08:30down in Mid Wales, down towards South Wales, I suppose.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33Just having a look, cos it's going to get dark during this job,
0:08:33 > 0:08:36so making sure we've got enough lines on maps and things
0:08:36 > 0:08:38and we know where fuel is, etc.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40Where's my morphine gone? There it is.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47Going to have a wee and on we go!
0:08:53 > 0:08:56It's after seven and visibility is getting poorer.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00The Sea King helicopter is one of the few flying ambulances
0:09:00 > 0:09:02that can respond to call outs at night.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06For the crew, it means a lot of skill and concentration.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11They have to navigate their way
0:09:11 > 0:09:14to a roadside near Llandrindod Wells, in Mid Wales.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21Two people have been injured after their car crashed into a tree.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25A 16-year-old girl is in a critical condition.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29Ed, get out the way, then I'm going to jump.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32'Bring the tail right by 10/20 degrees.'
0:09:36 > 0:09:40- 'If you bring it round about 30, you're going to level the front up a bit more.- Yeah, that'd be nice.'
0:09:40 > 0:09:43After recovering the casualty, Ed informs the crew
0:09:43 > 0:09:46that she needs urgent specialist care.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48'We need to go to Cardiff Hospital.'
0:09:48 > 0:09:50'Roger. OK.'
0:09:51 > 0:09:53'And it's time critical, as well.'
0:09:53 > 0:09:56It's always harder when they're younger.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58It was obvious that she was in a serious condition.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01It was a serious head injury she was suffering from.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11You can't think about it, you can't get yourself concerned about it,
0:10:11 > 0:10:13cos you just wouldn't be able to do your job otherwise.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15These things would just mount up inside you
0:10:15 > 0:10:18and you just wouldn't be able to complete your job.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24Rescue 122 take the 16-year-old girl on the brief flight
0:10:24 > 0:10:26to Cardiff's Heath Hospital.
0:10:26 > 0:10:27She's in a critical condition.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31They then head back to RAF Valley.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Call outs like these can be tough for the crew.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37Talking to your other crewmates helps.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41We'll never go up to somebody who's experienced and go, "Are you OK?"
0:10:41 > 0:10:44What you'll get is, you'll know when they want to talk about it,
0:10:44 > 0:10:47cos they might say, "Whoa, that was a bit of a hairy one."
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Yeah, I mean, there's been a few times where I've just...
0:10:50 > 0:10:54You kind of... You've been in one of those life and death situations
0:10:54 > 0:10:57and it's been quite - I don't mind admitting it - scary.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59It's scary for us sometimes
0:10:59 > 0:11:01and then you go home and your family's there
0:11:01 > 0:11:04and you can talk about it with them as well, so...
0:11:06 > 0:11:08A difficult job can affect
0:11:08 > 0:11:11more than just the Search and Rescue flight crew.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16Chef Sandra Walton knows about the ups and downs
0:11:16 > 0:11:19that face the members of C-Flight every working day.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22It's the atmosphere. Just the silence.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26Sometimes you just don't dare ask when you know it's been a bad one.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28But it does affect them big style still,
0:11:28 > 0:11:29even though some of them
0:11:29 > 0:11:31have been doing it so many years.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33They do get affected by it and it's horrible to see.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38When they've had a good job, you know,
0:11:38 > 0:11:41cos they're all jolly and laughing and joking.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43It's lovely to see.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48Sandra's day begins at 6.30 am.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52They look forward to coming over for their breakfast,
0:11:52 > 0:11:54cos it's the main meal of the day, I suppose.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56Then they've got me to face!
0:11:56 > 0:11:59- Uh-oh! - SHE LAUGHS
0:12:00 > 0:12:03Sandra? She's a delightful soul.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06Can turn her hand to anything, she's always got a smile on her face
0:12:06 > 0:12:08and a twinkle in her eye.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10She enters into the banter with the rest of us
0:12:10 > 0:12:12and gives as good as she gets as well.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14Dan's lovely, yeah.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16Yeah, he's really nice.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20D'you want mushy peas? Yes!
0:12:20 > 0:12:22But they're all fantastic, every one of them.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24Yeah, they're like friends.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27They took me up last year as a surprise for my birthday
0:12:27 > 0:12:29and I'm petrified of heights.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32But it was just unreal.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35One of the officers told us we are like family to them
0:12:35 > 0:12:37because we look after them.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39That is really nice to know.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42They depend on us to keep them going. You've got to mother them.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48After breakfast each morning,
0:12:48 > 0:12:51a new 24-hour shift begins on the Sea Kings.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55Each crew member serves on a three-year long tour of duty
0:12:55 > 0:12:57with the Search and Rescue Force.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01They can be posted to any of the six bases in the UK, or even overseas.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07One Royal pilot from Valley is to be posted to the Falklands.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10As part of his Search and Rescue tour of duty,
0:13:10 > 0:13:14Prince William will spend six weeks on the remote British base
0:13:14 > 0:13:15off the coast of Argentina.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19Joining him will be three crew members from Valley,
0:13:19 > 0:13:21including radar operator Graeme "Livvy" Livingston.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24I'm looking forward to going to the Falklands
0:13:24 > 0:13:28and that's not derogatory in any way to the family or anything,
0:13:28 > 0:13:31but it becomes a closer environment.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34You go down with three other people
0:13:34 > 0:13:37and you're going to be that four-man crew
0:13:37 > 0:13:39for the whole time that you're there.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41Going to colour this in yellow for me?
0:13:41 > 0:13:45With wife Debbie and sons Robbie and Connor,
0:13:45 > 0:13:48Livvy lives in the married quarters at RAF Valley.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52Debbie's preparing herself for this tour away from home.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54He's going to be thousands of miles away in the Falklands
0:13:54 > 0:13:56but it's only for a short period of time
0:13:56 > 0:13:59and also, whenever they're away
0:13:59 > 0:14:02we have a huge support network.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05I can guarantee I'll have at least one phone call a week from his work
0:14:05 > 0:14:07to make sure that me and the boys are OK.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09Despite that support,
0:14:09 > 0:14:13the time spent apart can be tough for Debbie and the kids.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16Oh, I can't wait for him coming home!
0:14:16 > 0:14:18I get giddy, really, really giddy.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Two onions... No, in fact, will we go...?
0:14:21 > 0:14:23One. OK?
0:14:23 > 0:14:26It's almost nerve-racking coming back from a detachment
0:14:26 > 0:14:31because the kids have got used to just Mum's voice
0:14:31 > 0:14:35and they've got used to that way of life that you're not there.
0:14:35 > 0:14:40So you're a little worried how you're going to fit back into it.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44Two of those into that dish. Nice!
0:14:44 > 0:14:46So it can be quite odd for a couple of days
0:14:46 > 0:14:48leading up to leaving for the detachment,
0:14:48 > 0:14:52where you don't really want to talk about leaving,
0:14:52 > 0:14:54so it all becomes very quiet and restrictive.
0:14:54 > 0:14:59- A brick wall goes up.- Yeah, and you ignore the bags that are being packed
0:14:59 > 0:15:00and things like that.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04One teaspoon of red chilli powder.
0:15:04 > 0:15:05But you also, on return,
0:15:05 > 0:15:11- have a couple of days of almost getting used to each other again.- Mm.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20Throughout the UK, more than 100 men and women
0:15:20 > 0:15:22serve on the RAF Search and Rescue helicopters.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26The Royal Marines Barracks in Chivenor, North Devon,
0:15:26 > 0:15:30is where 22 Squadron's A-Flight Rescue 169 is based.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32From this former RAF airfield,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35Squadron Leader Adam Thompson and his team
0:15:35 > 0:15:38provide Search and Rescue cover for South Wales.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42A significant part of our jobs are in the south coast of Wales,
0:15:42 > 0:15:45typically because it's a very nice tourist place to go,
0:15:45 > 0:15:46people go walking,
0:15:46 > 0:15:48and so that is quite a large percentage.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53A call comes in to the ops room at Chivenor.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56The emergency services in South Wales need the Sea King's help
0:15:56 > 0:15:58to rescue a stranded walker.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03It is vital we work with the other rescue agencies.
0:16:03 > 0:16:04Ultimately, what we're trying to do
0:16:04 > 0:16:06is provide the best service for the casualty.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10The beauty of what we can offer, is effectively,
0:16:10 > 0:16:14we're a free service, we can operate day and night,
0:16:14 > 0:16:17in all weathers and we provide a winch, which is quite unique,
0:16:17 > 0:16:21cos we can get to situations where people are in awkward situations,
0:16:21 > 0:16:24where you can't get to by foot, or by vehicle
0:16:24 > 0:16:26and that winch is a unique capability.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33And today, that winch is about to be put to the test.
0:16:33 > 0:16:37Swansea coastguard radio in to inform pilot Matt Prosser
0:16:37 > 0:16:39of the situation.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41It's a single male stuck on the rocks, is it?
0:16:41 > 0:16:45'The casualty is now at the bottom of the cliff. He is cut off by the tide, over.'
0:16:45 > 0:16:47Rescue 169 have been scrambled
0:16:47 > 0:16:51to a man stranded on Southerndown cliffs on the South Wales coast.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53Radar operator Duncan Woodward
0:16:53 > 0:16:56knows that it's a job only the Sea King can handle.
0:16:58 > 0:16:59Our reports are that he's about
0:16:59 > 0:17:0220 feet above the sea edge, the rising tide.
0:17:04 > 0:17:05The only way to safely get him out
0:17:05 > 0:17:08is using the rescue helicopter to hoist.
0:17:11 > 0:17:17On Southerndown cliffs, a man is clearly cut off by the rising tide.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19Porthcawl lifeboat have been called to the scene
0:17:19 > 0:17:22and a South Wales police helicopter is keeping a close eye
0:17:22 > 0:17:25on this life-threatening situation.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31The man is stuck on a cliff ledge.
0:17:31 > 0:17:32The lifeboat crew
0:17:32 > 0:17:35can't get any closer because of the rocky coastline.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41The police helicopter can only look on from above.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44Only the Sea King can winch this man to safety.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Now visible from a distance 20 minutes after take off,
0:17:50 > 0:17:53Rescue 169 is at the scene.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01- 20 feet up...- Target sighted.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Two o'clock, low over the tide...
0:18:03 > 0:18:06For pilot Matt Prosser, it's now a race against time.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09This guy's on a ledge so we don't want to blow him off.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11Erm...he's in trouble.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17The man's been stranded on these cliffs now for almost an hour.
0:18:17 > 0:18:22The only means of escape is to winch him to safety.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24Going to have to be high to stay above the cliff edge,
0:18:24 > 0:18:26- that's fairly sheer that side, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28- I'm thinking of putting Andy out now.- It's good.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43The cliff face is dangerously close.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45The Sea King's only option
0:18:45 > 0:18:48is to hover at a safe height and operate an extremely long winch.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51With the waves crashing beneath him,
0:18:51 > 0:18:54Winchman Andy Penrose is dangling on a wire
0:18:54 > 0:18:59125 feet long under the Sea King.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05Steady.
0:19:06 > 0:19:07Steady.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09Right, one.
0:19:09 > 0:19:10Steady.
0:19:12 > 0:19:17On the ledge. Steady, with the survivor. Steady.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19Winching it.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21Up gently and right.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26For student Michael Peck from Newport,
0:19:26 > 0:19:30what started as a leisurely walk soon turned into a nightmare.
0:19:30 > 0:19:34I got to the rocks, I realised that the tide was too far in.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36I kind of panicked a bit and decided to climb down a bit
0:19:36 > 0:19:38to see if I could get across,
0:19:38 > 0:19:39which would have been
0:19:39 > 0:19:41stupid and suicidal.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45Fortunately for Michael, help was on the way as another walker
0:19:45 > 0:19:48had spotted him in danger and phoned the emergency services.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50Your height is good, two for right.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53It was fine until we got to above the cliffs then the wind hit me
0:19:53 > 0:19:55and we started spinning...
0:19:55 > 0:19:57that was really scary.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59Front, ten. Operating over the edge.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04Back in...eight...six...
0:20:04 > 0:20:08five...four...three...
0:20:08 > 0:20:10two...one.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13After reaching the top of the cliff, Michael was assessed
0:20:13 > 0:20:15and winchman Andy Penrose was satisfied
0:20:15 > 0:20:17that he didn't need any medical attention.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20I was just surprised by the whole thing,
0:20:20 > 0:20:23about the size of the operation that they'd launched so quickly.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26I feel incredibly lucky that things didn't take a turn for the worst,
0:20:26 > 0:20:28cos it could have really quickly
0:20:28 > 0:20:31and my family's really grateful, just like I am.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41It was a lucky escape for Michael Peck,
0:20:41 > 0:20:44all thanks to that life-saving length of wire.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48At RAF Valley's engineering headquarters,
0:20:48 > 0:20:51Paul Hanson knows all there is to know about the winch.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55It's about 0.18 of an inch in diameter...
0:20:55 > 0:20:57but very strong.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01It'll take up to 600lbs of operating weight.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04Every time the winch has been used on a rescue,
0:21:04 > 0:21:06the engineers unwind the whole wire
0:21:06 > 0:21:08and check it for damage.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11It can hold the weight of up to three people
0:21:11 > 0:21:15and at full length it measures a dizzy 245 feet.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20I wouldn't like to be at 245 feet, no!
0:21:21 > 0:21:24But it works, that's how it's designed.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27It will take the weight... all the way out.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32It's the night shift at RAF Valley.
0:21:32 > 0:21:37Radar operator Livvy is on rear crew with winchman Neil Cooper.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39Ankle injury and a possible back injury?
0:21:39 > 0:21:42Yes, a lower lumbar on the 40-year-old male.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47- OK. Both looking like a winch job? - Yep.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58In the pilot's seat tonight is Flight Lieutenant Dan Loxton.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02He's used to flying Apache ground-attack helicopters in Iraq.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05Flying a Search and Rescue Sea King offers a different type of challenge.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08From my previous flying experience it's very different,
0:22:08 > 0:22:11it's arguably not as dynamic in the type of flying that the guys do.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Obviously, you're not getting shot at,
0:22:14 > 0:22:15which is a good thing
0:22:15 > 0:22:17from my point of view!
0:22:17 > 0:22:20It's very challenging flying though because people get into trouble
0:22:20 > 0:22:22in poor weather conditions,
0:22:22 > 0:22:24so that's normally when we go out flying.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29In trouble are a father and son injured in a mine,
0:22:29 > 0:22:32near Dinas Mawddwy in Mid Wales.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39Rescue 122 have arrived at the scene.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41The conditions are bad.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44The casualties' injures need urgent medical attention.
0:22:44 > 0:22:45But plunged in darkness
0:22:45 > 0:22:47and fighting high winds,
0:22:47 > 0:22:50this will be one of the crew's toughest rescues yet.
0:22:50 > 0:22:55You've got a good area below that you could commit to, I reckon.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59- I'd rather stay to be fair and maintain a flyaway.- OK.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03This disused slate quarry, with steep inclines either side,
0:23:03 > 0:23:06makes it a really tight spot for the helicopter.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08High winds are adding to the difficulty.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11The crew decide to hover at a height
0:23:11 > 0:23:13and commit to a very long winch.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16Night vision goggles and the on-board infrared camera
0:23:16 > 0:23:20help the crew to see what's happening below.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23Radar operator Livvy helps with the tricky manoeuvre
0:23:23 > 0:23:25from the side door of the Sea King.
0:23:25 > 0:23:30That looks to be about 150, 160 feet, mate.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34The first of the two casualties is being recovered
0:23:34 > 0:23:35by winchman Neil Cooper.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37But at the mercy of the strong winds,
0:23:37 > 0:23:42they start to swing dangerously from side to side.
0:23:42 > 0:23:43You're drifting to the six...
0:23:54 > 0:23:5779-year-old Peter Hay is safe on board.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00But now the crew have to do it all over again to rescue his son.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05Once more the wind has put the stretcher in a violent spin.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10It's at times like these the on-board crew have to face
0:24:10 > 0:24:12some difficult decisions.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16With the wind conditions
0:24:16 > 0:24:18and the weather conditions and everything else,
0:24:18 > 0:24:21we have to consider aircraft performance.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23We have to consider things like,
0:24:23 > 0:24:27if we were to lose an engine at any stage throughout the rescue,
0:24:27 > 0:24:28we have to discuss
0:24:28 > 0:24:30what we will do with the winchman
0:24:30 > 0:24:32if we did have an engine problem
0:24:32 > 0:24:35or for whatever reason, we had to fly away from the rescue.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40The last resort when a rescue threatens the safety of a helicopter
0:24:40 > 0:24:42is to cut the winch cable.
0:24:43 > 0:24:44The crew know
0:24:44 > 0:24:47that the safety of the helicopter has priority.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50That's before the safety of the winchman and the casualty.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54The aircraft's safety comes first, winchman, then survivor.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56So, as long as the aircraft
0:24:56 > 0:24:58and the people in it are safe,
0:24:58 > 0:25:00and when we're winching, the winchman is safe,
0:25:00 > 0:25:02then we'll get the survivor.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04If any of those things aren't in place,
0:25:04 > 0:25:06then it's a dynamic risk assessment.
0:25:08 > 0:25:13Slowly but surely the stretcher inches its way up to the Sea King.
0:25:13 > 0:25:14We're OK, here.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18After a gruelling 20 minutes, at last the casualties
0:25:18 > 0:25:20and winchman Neil are safe on board.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24For Neil, it's one MAJOR relief.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27That's the most difficult job I've ever had to do.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32But the dramatic story which led to Peter and Daniel's plight
0:25:32 > 0:25:37only came to light after they were safely in Bangor's Ysbyty Gwynedd.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40It was supposed to be an exciting day of exploring
0:25:40 > 0:25:44for the two archaeology enthusiasts from Sussex.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46Both father and son fell down a steep incline
0:25:46 > 0:25:49at the Dinas Mawddwy Slate Quarry.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53Even with their severe injuries, they had to slowly crawl back up
0:25:53 > 0:25:57to the top of the slope to get a signal to call for help.
0:25:57 > 0:26:02The paramedics came first. I just remember seeing the guys in green,
0:26:02 > 0:26:05seeing their heads popping over and thinking, "Oh, thank goodness!"
0:26:05 > 0:26:10And... It was at that point I knew, "I'm going to be all right."
0:26:10 > 0:26:12I was just winched up with the winchman
0:26:12 > 0:26:15and the worst thing was the fact that as you're going up,
0:26:15 > 0:26:17you're spinning round.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20And I was thinking, "This is just like being seasick,"
0:26:20 > 0:26:23but the helicopter of course is incredibly noisy
0:26:23 > 0:26:26but incredibly professional.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28They know exactly what to do and they do it.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31I think the issue that we had there was one -
0:26:31 > 0:26:33the difficulty getting in,
0:26:33 > 0:26:35but ultimately, we got the guys out
0:26:35 > 0:26:37and were able to keep them safe and well.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41It's a really nice feeling of satisfaction
0:26:41 > 0:26:43and having made a difference and saved a life.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51It's been a busy October for the Search and Rescue Force covering Wales.
0:26:51 > 0:26:56In total, 39 people were rescued by the yellow Sea Kings.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59After her fall on Clarach beach,
0:26:59 > 0:27:02student Jenny Barbour suffered a fractured leg.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06Initially, I was very embarrassed that there was a helicopter coming.
0:27:06 > 0:27:07I felt very silly,
0:27:07 > 0:27:11but once I knew they were coming,
0:27:11 > 0:27:12cos I was getting cold on the beach,
0:27:12 > 0:27:16I was just pleased to know that somebody was coming to take me away,
0:27:16 > 0:27:19get me to the hospital and it would all be finished.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22The helicopter was nice and warm as well, so...!
0:27:22 > 0:27:24That was a bonus.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28The young girl injured in a road accident
0:27:28 > 0:27:30is making a slow but steady recovery.
0:27:31 > 0:27:37And Michael Peck will be for ever grateful to Chivenor's Rescue 169,
0:27:37 > 0:27:40who saved him from what could have been a fateful walk.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42I think the work they do is fantastic.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45They more than likely saved my life
0:27:45 > 0:27:47and they save lives every single day.
0:27:47 > 0:27:52The effort, to come so far to get me...it's fantastic what they do.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56Next time on Helicopter Rescue...
0:27:58 > 0:28:02They're battling the elements as winter hits Wales.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05The option to go into the clouds is your last option.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08The aircraft is going to be coming down if it ices up.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13In one of the worst maritime disasters to hit Wales in years,
0:28:13 > 0:28:17five men are missing at sea as a cargo ship and her crew
0:28:17 > 0:28:20go down off the Llyn Peninsula.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25It's a dog's life at RAF Valley as the canine Search and Rescue crew
0:28:25 > 0:28:28take to the air.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32And the unpredictable Welsh weather forces the Sea King
0:28:32 > 0:28:33to face its ultimate challenge.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36Sorry, Ed. You'll have to continue, cos we can't get above you.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd