0:00:02 > 0:00:05A close call - a moment of danger when life can hang in the balance.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08What would happen if I wasn't found, or didn't find a way out of it?
0:00:08 > 0:00:11A split second when the outcome could go either way.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13It's a choice. Life or death.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16The difference between disaster and survival.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20We saw a lady who was critically ill, if not dying in front of us.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23I kept thinking the hotel was going to fall on us.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26These are the people that have been there and lived to tell the tale.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29It's a day they'll never forget.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31The day they had a close call.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49Today, on Close Calls...
0:00:49 > 0:00:54teacher Lorraine set out to enjoy a stroll along the clifftop.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57But she ended up halfway down this sheer drop,
0:00:57 > 0:01:00buried in a pit of oozing mud.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04She was actually slowly sinking further into the clay.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07The coastguard, the fire service and a helicopter are called.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10She was deteriorating.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14She was showing signs of becoming hypothermic.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16First, one rescue attempt fails,
0:01:16 > 0:01:17then another.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19If they don't reach her soon,
0:01:19 > 0:01:21Lorraine could die from the cold,
0:01:21 > 0:01:23or be swallowed up by the thick clay mud.
0:01:26 > 0:01:27Also today...
0:01:29 > 0:01:32..an excited teenager anxious to get to a friend's party
0:01:32 > 0:01:34leaps off the school bus.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36She checks the road to the left,
0:01:36 > 0:01:39but not to the right.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42She doesn't see the car coming.
0:01:42 > 0:01:43And it can't stop.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47The impact sends her crashing into the windscreen,
0:01:47 > 0:01:49and her shoes flying into the air.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51It happened in, you know, moments.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53It was very shocking.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56Her distraught dad rushes to the scene.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00When I received the phone call, I just went into sheer panic.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10Trimingham, on the North Norfolk coast.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12A towering, 17-metre cliff face,
0:02:12 > 0:02:15partially covered in thick, oozing clay.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20Lorraine has tried to climb down to rescue her stranded dog,
0:02:20 > 0:02:24but now she's become stuck and she's sinking deeper and deeper
0:02:24 > 0:02:27into what's fast becoming a muddy grave.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31I knew it was quite a desolate, deserted place,
0:02:31 > 0:02:34so I knew our chances were quite slim.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39Lorraine faces the numbing fear no-one will find her.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42But even when, by chance, help does arrive,
0:02:42 > 0:02:45her rescuers face an epic struggle.
0:02:45 > 0:02:50Repeated attempts to free her from the quagmire end in failure.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52Nobody could actually get near her.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54Lorraine's last hope of rescue
0:02:54 > 0:02:56is for a helicopter crew to reach her
0:02:56 > 0:02:59before she's suffocated in the freezing-cold mud.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02But her strength is fading fast.
0:03:12 > 0:03:1449-year-old Lorraine lives near Cambridge,
0:03:14 > 0:03:16where she is a primary school teacher.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19I very much enjoy working with the children.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22Very involved with the parents and the families,
0:03:22 > 0:03:24the staff, the whole school.
0:03:25 > 0:03:26When she's not at work,
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Lorraine spends a lot of time out walking her two dogs,
0:03:29 > 0:03:31Olive and Trixie.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34Trixie is a rescue dog from Bedford.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36Olive is a very bouncy terrier.
0:03:36 > 0:03:37She's a Westie and a Yorkie.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39She's my little pal.
0:03:39 > 0:03:40But one winter's day,
0:03:40 > 0:03:43a bracing walk along the coast with Olive
0:03:43 > 0:03:46turns into a life-and-death situation.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50Lorraine and her partner have just seen in the New Year
0:03:50 > 0:03:54in the rural village of Trimingham in North Norfolk.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57We went to a friend's holiday cottage.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59Been to the area before.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03We spend a lot of time in Norfolk, so really like it there.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07Later, they're planning on going to the local town of Cromer
0:04:07 > 0:04:09to see the New Year's Day firework display.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12But before that, Lorraine's partner and their friend
0:04:12 > 0:04:13decide to go food shopping.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16I said, "I don't want to go shopping,
0:04:16 > 0:04:17"I'd like to walk the dog,
0:04:17 > 0:04:20"because I'd rather walk along the cliffs with Olive
0:04:20 > 0:04:21"on such a beautiful day."
0:04:21 > 0:04:23You could see over the sea.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26You could see the lovely landscape.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29It might be sunny, but the temperature is only four degrees.
0:04:31 > 0:04:36As Lorraine heads out for her walk, she's given some helpful advice.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39My partner said to me, "Make sure you keep the dog on the lead."
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Setting out in a buoyant mood, Lorraine heeds the warning.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45But then a few minutes later, she gets distracted.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49I was trying to take a picture.
0:04:49 > 0:04:50Olive was pulling at the lead.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52So, I dropped the lead just for a moment.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55I just thought she would stay by my feet.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58And when I'd taken the picture and had a look, she was gone.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05Olive has fallen around three metres down the cliff.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08I thought I don't believe that this has happened,
0:05:08 > 0:05:10because we'd only just spoken about it that morning.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13The tiny terrier is stuck
0:05:13 > 0:05:14and can't get back up.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16She's not a very big dog.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18I just thought, "I need to help her."
0:05:18 > 0:05:20She still had her lead on,
0:05:20 > 0:05:23so I thought I could pull her back to the top of the cliff.
0:05:25 > 0:05:26This is the exact spot
0:05:26 > 0:05:28where Lorraine's dog fell from the clifftop.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32It's the highest point on the North Norfolk coast.
0:05:34 > 0:05:35It was OK initially.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38So I slid down,
0:05:38 > 0:05:40I put Olive on my lap,
0:05:40 > 0:05:43and kind of slid about halfway down.
0:05:43 > 0:05:44Got to a bit and thought,
0:05:44 > 0:05:46"Right, I'm nearly there,"
0:05:46 > 0:05:47and then couldn't move.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51And that's when I thought, "Oh, dear. This is bad."
0:05:51 > 0:05:55It was really, really heavy mud.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57It kind of sucked me in.
0:05:57 > 0:05:58I couldn't lift my arms up.
0:05:58 > 0:06:03I took my shoes off, because my shoes had become all muddy
0:06:03 > 0:06:04and I thought they'd... I'd be able to move
0:06:04 > 0:06:06if I sort of didn't have them on.
0:06:06 > 0:06:07Threw them over to the side,
0:06:07 > 0:06:11because I thought I could kind of roll over where it was drier,
0:06:11 > 0:06:14and then realised that it was mud all around me.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18I sort of wiggled and got my phone out of my pocket,
0:06:18 > 0:06:20realised that I didn't have a signal.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24But kind of somewhere in my head thought, "Right,
0:06:24 > 0:06:26"keep it dry, because they might be able to track you."
0:06:26 > 0:06:29So, I popped it in my bra, which was still dry.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- I just couldn't move.- To her horror,
0:06:33 > 0:06:38Lorraine realises she has slid over 30 metres down the cliff face
0:06:38 > 0:06:41and is now stuck in freezing-cold clay mud.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47Olive started shivering, so I wrapped her up in my scarf.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51Lorraine pulls Olive into her and cradles her on her stomach.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54Caked in mud, Olive is barely visible,
0:06:54 > 0:06:58wrapped in the scarf with her head on her owner's shoulder.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02With her dog safe for now, Lorraine tries to raise the alarm.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05I was shouting, "Come and find me."
0:07:05 > 0:07:08Singing. Just anything to get someone's attention.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11But there's no response.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16Olive was on top of me, so we kind of kept each other warm.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18She was very quiet.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21Just kept looking at me as if to say, "What are we doing here?"
0:07:21 > 0:07:22I was like, "Well, it's you,
0:07:22 > 0:07:24"you stupid dog. It's your fault."
0:07:26 > 0:07:29Lorraine's trying to keep her spirits up.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33But now the weather begins to change.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37The sun disappeared over the cliff and then it got really cold.
0:07:37 > 0:07:38Really, really cold.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42I knew it was quite a desolate, deserted place.
0:07:42 > 0:07:47I hadn't seen anyone walk on the previous two or three days
0:07:47 > 0:07:49that I'd been walking there.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51So I knew our chances were quite slim.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54Lorraine's starting to fear the worst.
0:07:54 > 0:07:55It's New Year's Day,
0:07:55 > 0:07:57and she knows few people will be out.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02As I was laying there, I thought... I was kind of planning.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04I was thinking, "Who's going to tell my mum and dad?"
0:08:04 > 0:08:07You know, someone would have to tell them, my partner, my friends.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11The children in my class, the children in my school.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13I really thought, "If someone doesn't find us,
0:08:13 > 0:08:15"then this is the end."
0:08:21 > 0:08:25But Lorraine is not the only one out walking today.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28Retired policeman Alan Mills lives in Trimingham
0:08:28 > 0:08:31and is out exercising his dogs, Heidi and Hudson.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33Went out for our usual walk,
0:08:33 > 0:08:35full of the joys of spring.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37It was cold.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39But a pleasant walk.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42As we walked along, they suddenly ran on ahead
0:08:42 > 0:08:46and peered over the clifftop down towards the beach.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52I realised then that something was taking their interest.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56All of a sudden, I saw a dog's head come over the side
0:08:56 > 0:08:59and I shouted, "Quick, go and get your mum, go and get your dad."
0:08:59 > 0:09:03Just to try and keep it interested, so it doesn't just run off.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05And then another dog head came over
0:09:05 > 0:09:07and they were both cocking their heads, listening to me,
0:09:07 > 0:09:10looking at me as if to say, "Why are you down there?
0:09:10 > 0:09:11"That's really stupid."
0:09:13 > 0:09:16And when I reached a point near to where they were,
0:09:16 > 0:09:21I could hear shouting coming from down on the cliff face.
0:09:21 > 0:09:22From the top of the cliff,
0:09:22 > 0:09:25it's very difficult for Alan to make out Lorraine's position.
0:09:27 > 0:09:32Being covered in mud, she blended in perfectly with her surroundings.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34She was very scared.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Really, I think, had begun to think
0:09:36 > 0:09:38that she wasn't going to get out of there.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41I just shouted at him, "Please help me, I'm stuck."
0:09:41 > 0:09:45And he just said, in a very good-natured voice, "You silly girl.
0:09:45 > 0:09:46"What are you doing down there?"
0:09:48 > 0:09:50I was just flooded with relief.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55So happy, because I knew that once somebody knew I was there,
0:09:55 > 0:09:57they would come and get me.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02But, in fact, Lorraine's ordeal is far from over.
0:10:04 > 0:10:05Later - rescue bids
0:10:05 > 0:10:09by both the coastguard and the fire service are thwarted.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12Nobody could actually get near her.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15She was showing signs of becoming hypothermic.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18An urgent call goes out for a helicopter.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22But they, too, find Lorraine is just out of reach.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26The winchman sunk instantly up to his waist.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28They're running out of time.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38We often see people walking down the road looking at their phones.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41Lots of us do it. But we're about to see
0:10:41 > 0:10:45exactly why we mustn't get distracted when crossing the road.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47Thank goodness for drivers like this one,
0:10:47 > 0:10:49who keep within the speed limit.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55Lingdale, North Yorkshire.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57It's tea-time.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00A schoolgirl heading home jumps off the bus
0:11:00 > 0:11:02and heads around the front.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04She doesn't see the car overtaking.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08In a split second she's in the air.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14Her shoes fly off with the impact as she hits the windscreen.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18Neighbour Susan witnesses the accident.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20It happened in moments.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22It was very shocking.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25And a distraught dad is left fearing the worst.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27Panic and adrenaline takes over.
0:11:35 > 0:11:40Emily and her doting dad, Philip, have a very close relationship.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42What's that?
0:11:42 > 0:11:46I can't even put into words how much Dad means to me.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48He's my absolute everything.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50I've only got one daughter.
0:11:50 > 0:11:51She means the world to me.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54She's creative, she's funny,
0:11:54 > 0:11:57she's really thoughtful and sensitive.
0:11:57 > 0:11:58She's always very polite.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03But she does have what I call Emily-isms,
0:12:03 > 0:12:05which are "thick moments", if you like.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07I would do a spray paint,
0:12:07 > 0:12:10but I don't fancy spray-painting the carpet blue again.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12With these consequences, usually.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16But one particular Emily-ism
0:12:16 > 0:12:19will have a very dangerous consequence,
0:12:19 > 0:12:20putting her life on the line.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25It's the end of a school day in February.
0:12:25 > 0:12:30Emily is excited about going to a friend's party later that evening.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33I was on the bus with my friend, Leia,
0:12:33 > 0:12:37and I was really looking forward to the party that night.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41First, though, she's meant to be having a meal at her dad's house.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44I texted her when I thought she was leaving school,
0:12:44 > 0:12:46just to let her know that I was making tea.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48Cos I knew she was going to a party, as well.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50So, I thought, well, she'll be in a rush,
0:12:50 > 0:12:51probably won't eat later,
0:12:51 > 0:12:53so that was the idea.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56But Emily changes plan at the last minute.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58Her parents are no longer together
0:12:58 > 0:13:01and, instead of getting off at Dad's,
0:13:01 > 0:13:05she travels two more stops to her mum's to pick up some clothes first.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07As she gets off the bus,
0:13:07 > 0:13:09she replies to her father's text.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13And I jumped off and I paused at the side of the road.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15And I think that's when I was texting Dad back.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Then when I'd sent the text, I ran out.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20The bus has stopped in a 30mph zone.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24It's onboard camera captures what happens next.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36Horrified, neighbour Susan watches it happen.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38I saw the bus pull up.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41It happened in, you know, moments.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44And to actually see her flying through the air -
0:13:44 > 0:13:45it was very shocking.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47My first instinct was, oh, my goodness,
0:13:47 > 0:13:50get out there and see if she was OK.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54Emily's crossed the road right in front of the parked bus,
0:13:54 > 0:13:55so she can't see the car
0:13:55 > 0:13:58that's coming round the side to overtake it.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01The driver doesn't have a chance to stop.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03The sheer force of the impact
0:14:03 > 0:14:05sends Emily's shoes flying high into the air,
0:14:05 > 0:14:08while she goes headfirst into the windscreen.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11She then somersaults off the bonnet,
0:14:11 > 0:14:13landing in front of the car.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17The camera shows passers-by rushing to help,
0:14:17 > 0:14:21as well as the shocked driver of the car, who's unharmed.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24Emily is lying in the road, but she's conscious at least.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28It's like running at 100mph straight into a brick wall,
0:14:28 > 0:14:30and just stopping.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33It just takes your breath away.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36It's like being punched in the throat at the same time.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38It just completely winds you.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40And I was, like, trying to stand up, you know,
0:14:40 > 0:14:43push my way up onto my legs, and my legs just wouldn't take it.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46My body couldn't process what was going on.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49Like, it was just confusing.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52You know, I was more in shock than anything.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55Susan calls the emergency services.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58The only thing I can remember thinking was, you know,
0:14:58 > 0:15:00"I hope she's OK.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03"I hope she's not badly injured."
0:15:05 > 0:15:08Back at the house half a mile away,
0:15:08 > 0:15:10dad Philip is wondering where Emily has got to.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13I'd seen some of the other schoolkids walk past the house,
0:15:13 > 0:15:15so I thought the bus must be gone.
0:15:15 > 0:15:16I just put the tea on hold.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19I thought, "She probably won't be long."
0:15:19 > 0:15:21But Emily's mum has been told about the accident
0:15:21 > 0:15:23and calls Philip straightaway
0:15:23 > 0:15:26to tell him Emily's been hit by a car.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29When I received the phone call, I just went into sheer panic.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31I don't think I even locked the door.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34I just came straight out the house, jumped in the car.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36I was only two minutes away, so I came down,
0:15:36 > 0:15:38and that's when I saw Emily lying in the road.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42The people around Emily keep her still as her injuries aren't known.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45First thing I thought of was, "Is she going to be OK?
0:15:45 > 0:15:47"Will she be disabled?
0:15:47 > 0:15:49"Will she be in a wheelchair?"
0:15:49 > 0:15:52He didn't let go of my hand the whole time I was in the road.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55Kept talking to me constantly, like, "Emily, you're all right.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58"You're going to be OK. The ambulance is on its way."
0:15:58 > 0:16:01Kept explaining to me what had happened, over and over.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04I was relieved that she was talking,
0:16:04 > 0:16:07and I thought, "Well, that's good,"
0:16:07 > 0:16:08and she wasn't unconscious
0:16:08 > 0:16:11because, obviously, head injuries and things...
0:16:11 > 0:16:15I think that was the first time I've ever seen Dad cry,
0:16:15 > 0:16:18because Dad's incredibly strong.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21I've never once really seen him that upset.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23Paramedics arrive to treat Emily.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26The impact she suffered could mean internal injuries,
0:16:26 > 0:16:29so they carefully strap her body down to immobilise it
0:16:29 > 0:16:31as she's stretchered into the ambulance.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33But Emily only has one thing on her mind.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37All the way in the ambulance I remember saying,
0:16:37 > 0:16:39"Can I still go to the party?"
0:16:39 > 0:16:41I was devastated.
0:16:41 > 0:16:46When she arrived at the hospital, she was sent for X-rays, scans.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51She was seen to straightaway.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53A doctor came back to us and said
0:16:53 > 0:16:55that she had no major injuries at all.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57But he wasn't satisfied
0:16:57 > 0:17:01and he then got a second opinion from another doctor.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04And when that other doctor checked her again,
0:17:04 > 0:17:06said that she hadn't even broken a bone.
0:17:07 > 0:17:08It's beyond belief
0:17:08 > 0:17:12that Emily has come through this terrible, head-on collision
0:17:12 > 0:17:15with only minor ligament damage to her ankle.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18It was a very close call.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21If the car had been going faster,
0:17:21 > 0:17:23she could have quite easily been killed that day.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25Quite, quite easily.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29Just amazing, erm, no matter how many times you watch it,
0:17:29 > 0:17:30how shocking it is.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33I'm amazed that she's still here
0:17:33 > 0:17:35and has no recurring injuries,
0:17:35 > 0:17:37or is in a wheelchair.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40Emily realises the driver wasn't to blame.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42Knowing she's been fortunate,
0:17:42 > 0:17:45she's now trying to help other teenagers be more watchful
0:17:45 > 0:17:47when crossing the road.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50I'm supporting Road Safety Great Britain -
0:17:50 > 0:17:52Look Out For Each Other.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55The aim is to bring down fatalities,
0:17:55 > 0:17:59even just accidents to do with roads.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01I'm definitely incredibly lucky to be alive.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11We all know how much dog owners love their pets,
0:18:11 > 0:18:15and some, like Lorraine, will go to any lengths to protect them,
0:18:15 > 0:18:18even if it means putting their own lives in danger.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26Back to Trimingham, on the North Norfolk coast.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29Lorraine Star and her beloved dog, Olive,
0:18:29 > 0:18:33are stuck in a clay pit on a towering cliff face.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37They are both starting to show signs of suffering from hypothermia
0:18:37 > 0:18:40and are slowly being sucked into the icy, thick, clay mud.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46They've just been discovered by retired police officer Alan Mills,
0:18:46 > 0:18:50who was walking his own two dogs along the clifftop.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53It was so nice just to see someone, after being alone.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57But Lorraine's still very much in danger.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59Alan really needs to get help fast.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01He has to raise the alarm.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04But being local, knows the phone signal in the area
0:19:04 > 0:19:06is really unreliable.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10I called my wife to get her to call the coastguard.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14It was obviously essential to get somebody to her very quickly.
0:19:14 > 0:19:15He said, "I've called."
0:19:15 > 0:19:18And then he said... Then we started talking about the weather.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21Really mundane things, but it was so nice just to see someone.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24It was important that she knew that there was somebody there
0:19:24 > 0:19:25who was staying there.
0:19:26 > 0:19:30The temperature has now dropped to just above freezing.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32There was nothing I could do to help her.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34I was very concerned for her.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39Thankfully, the coastguard arrived quickly.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41But this is going to be a tricky job -
0:19:41 > 0:19:42and it's a race against time.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47These are photos Alan took at the time,
0:19:47 > 0:19:51showing the coastguard setting up secure safety ropes.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55The first thing they need to do is get a man down to Lorraine.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57We put an immediate rescue in,
0:19:57 > 0:19:59which is one technician straight down,
0:19:59 > 0:20:02to see if he can put a rescue strop round her
0:20:02 > 0:20:04and get her out of that danger straightaway.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07The rescuer is Sam Bagley.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10I saw the helmet first, and then Sam looked over.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12Shouted, "Hello." Said, "I'm Sam.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14"I'm going to come and get you."
0:20:14 > 0:20:17So, he came right down sort of level, height-wise, with me,
0:20:17 > 0:20:19and then he couldn't get across.
0:20:21 > 0:20:22When he got down,
0:20:22 > 0:20:24he actually saw that it was just liquid clay
0:20:24 > 0:20:27and he could not get anywhere near her.
0:20:27 > 0:20:28Well, I thought, "This is bad.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30"If they can't reach me..."
0:20:30 > 0:20:31He threw me a blanket.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34The wind took it, so he couldn't quite get it over.
0:20:34 > 0:20:35And he just kept talking to me.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37He kept saying, "Don't worry.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39"Don't worry, we'll sort this out."
0:20:39 > 0:20:42But in truth, the rescuers are worried.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45They realise it's going to take more than one man.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48They send a second rescuer down
0:20:48 > 0:20:50to try and reach Lorraine from the other side.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53This time, it's Christon Iliffe,
0:20:53 > 0:20:56and what he sees causes him grave concern.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59I saw one of her shoes
0:20:59 > 0:21:01on the top of the mud.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04And gradually, over the space of the time that we were down the cliff,
0:21:04 > 0:21:06I could see it getting further and further away.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08So I knew that that mud was moving.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12And that's not the only danger.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15She was actually slowly sinking further into the clay.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20The thick clay mud churning around Lorraine
0:21:20 > 0:21:23means neither man can reach her.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26I was worried for my crew's safety,
0:21:26 > 0:21:29but also Lorraine's safety as well.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32I mean, we don't want to put Lorraine in any more danger
0:21:32 > 0:21:33than she already is in,
0:21:33 > 0:21:36but I can't actually put my crews in danger.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40The only hope now to get Lorraine and Olive out
0:21:40 > 0:21:43is to call in a rescue helicopter.
0:21:43 > 0:21:44They scramble a chopper.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48Back down the cliff, Christon, who is the closest to Lorraine,
0:21:48 > 0:21:51is growing more concerned about her wellbeing.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53She was deteriorating.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55The worst thing in a rescue situation,
0:21:55 > 0:21:57when somebody believes they're going to be rescued,
0:21:57 > 0:21:59at that point they can give up.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01But the rescue is not over
0:22:01 > 0:22:04until they're in the safe hands of the ambulance service.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06Lorraine has to be kept awake.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08If she falls unconscious,
0:22:08 > 0:22:11it will make the rescue operation even more difficult.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Christon put his years of training into practice.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18I constantly kept asking if she was OK.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21Just to do the OK symbol with her hand when she was,
0:22:21 > 0:22:23as well as saying OK.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25And it kept her...
0:22:25 > 0:22:27awake. It kept her alert.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32Back at the top of the cliff, it's bad news.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36It's going to take 45 minutes for the helicopter to arrive.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39The coastguards decide to use that time
0:22:39 > 0:22:41to try and reach Lorraine's dog, Olive,
0:22:41 > 0:22:43to make it easier for the helicopter crew.
0:22:43 > 0:22:48We actually had to get the dog, then bring the dog back up,
0:22:48 > 0:22:51so all the winchman had to do was concentrate on Lorraine.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53The team at the top of the cliff
0:22:53 > 0:22:57lower an animal-rescue bag attached to a rope to Sam.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00He throws it across to Lorraine.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02And then I had to kind of pull it across the mud.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04And then, when I finally got the bag,
0:23:04 > 0:23:07I couldn't open it because it was covered in mud.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09So, I managed to open it.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13Olive looked at me as if to say, "No way am I getting in that bag."
0:23:13 > 0:23:17But she had... So I had to kind of manhandle her
0:23:17 > 0:23:18and I push her in.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22Sam manages to drag Olive across the mud to his position.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25Then, finally, nearly three hours after
0:23:25 > 0:23:28Lorraine got stuck on the cliff face,
0:23:28 > 0:23:30the helicopter comes into sight.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34They actually hovered there for two or three minutes,
0:23:34 > 0:23:36assessed the situation.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38While the heli crew formulate a plan,
0:23:38 > 0:23:41the coastguard struggled to retrieve the dog.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45Christon remains alongside Lorraine, as Sam begins the climb
0:23:45 > 0:23:47with Olive safe in the bag.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51Sam did tell me it was very, very heavy,
0:23:51 > 0:23:53because it was covered in clay,
0:23:53 > 0:23:55and that was only a little dog.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59And Sam was so stuck that he actually had to cut his boots off
0:23:59 > 0:24:02when he lost his boots and his socks in that rescue,
0:24:02 > 0:24:04coming back up the cliff.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07I was worried for Olive that she would kind of suffocate
0:24:07 > 0:24:09in all that mud in the bag.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12And then, by the time I was sort of watching that, worrying about Olive,
0:24:12 > 0:24:14the helicopter was there.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18And I looked up and I could see the bottom of the helicopter
0:24:18 > 0:24:21and the guy... The guy's boots, obviously,
0:24:21 > 0:24:23as he was sitting over the side.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26And he seemed to be there for ages.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28And I was... It sounds a bit ungrateful,
0:24:28 > 0:24:29but I just wanted him to come.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31And it was hovering and hovering,
0:24:31 > 0:24:34and I was thinking, "Please come, please come, I'm cold.
0:24:34 > 0:24:35"I really need to be out of this now."
0:24:36 > 0:24:40The plan is to lower a winchman down to pull Lorraine out of the mud,
0:24:40 > 0:24:44then up to the safety of the clifftop.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47It's amazing how the helicopter just stayed there.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Kept it level. Everything was very safe.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54He came down, he drew level with me and went slightly to the side of me.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58And he was so nice and he smiled and put his thumb up, so I was...
0:24:58 > 0:24:59you know, put my thumbs up.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02But Lorraine's problems are not over yet.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05He sunk instantly up to his waist.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09So already I know that that's just over a metre thick.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13The rescuer battles on, and eventually he reaches Lorraine.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16He put a loop around my knees and did that up.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18Helped me pull myself up.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21Put a loop over my shoulders, under my arms.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23And then held me as we went up.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29A mud-caked Lorraine dangles 60 metres in the air.
0:25:31 > 0:25:32I wasn't frightened.
0:25:32 > 0:25:33I just wanted to get out.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38All I wanted was to feel solid, dry ground underneath me.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42She wasn't took in the aircraft.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44She was actually dangled below the aircraft
0:25:44 > 0:25:46and then they lowered her down to the ground
0:25:46 > 0:25:48because she was absolutely covered.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51Finally, after nearly three hours
0:25:51 > 0:25:54of slowly being swallowed up by the cold clay mud,
0:25:54 > 0:25:58Lorraine is lowered onto the clifftop. She's safe.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00They lowered me down.
0:26:00 > 0:26:01And they were all waiting for me.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03There were blankets and things.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06And I just remember being laid on the floor and I just said,
0:26:06 > 0:26:08"Happy New Year, everyone. Thank you."
0:26:08 > 0:26:10And just was saying thank you to everyone.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14But still this rescue isn't entirely over.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17Lorraine's safe, but one of her would-be rescuers, Christon,
0:26:17 > 0:26:18is in trouble.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20Due to the conditions,
0:26:20 > 0:26:23I'd unfortunately slipped and then become stuck myself.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29I was mentally tired, physically tired,
0:26:29 > 0:26:31and at that point it would have been dangerous
0:26:31 > 0:26:35to put any tension on the equipment to recover myself the standard way.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40The winchman navigates his way down the cliff,
0:26:40 > 0:26:43grabs Christon, and hauls him back to safety.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49Back at home with Olive, Lorraine realises how lucky she is.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52There could have been a very different outcome.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55I'm incredibly grateful and thankful to Alan.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58Well, to his dogs obviously, first, that heard me.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02To Alan, for finding me and for staying.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05She's just said thank you in a very big way.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08She was in a terrible situation.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10She could have died.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13And it's a day the coastguards won't ever forget either.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15I would say that rescue
0:27:15 > 0:27:18was getting to more or less one of the difficult ones
0:27:18 > 0:27:21that I've actually been on in the 16 years.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23It could have turned out very different.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26For Lorraine, that one fateful day on the Norfolk coast
0:27:26 > 0:27:28changed her life.
0:27:29 > 0:27:30I've just got a new job
0:27:30 > 0:27:34because I felt, you know, you may run out of time,
0:27:34 > 0:27:36so I'm just a lot more careful,
0:27:36 > 0:27:39but also a lot more able to take risks in other ways,
0:27:39 > 0:27:41that aren't going to call out
0:27:41 > 0:27:44the coastguard and the police and the ambulance.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52A very muddy tale, that one.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56Thank goodness another dog walker managed to spot Lorraine and Olive.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00Join us next time, for more tales of miraculous Close Calls.