0:00:03 > 0:00:05A close call, a moment of danger when life can hang in the balance.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07I could die here. This is really serious.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12A split-second where the outcome could go either way.
0:00:12 > 0:00:13Right. Call 999 now.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16The difference between disaster and survival.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19You could see it on the faces of the crew how life-threatening this was.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21Why would you need to swim?
0:00:21 > 0:00:23Apparently they're supposed to still be on a boat.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26These are the people that have been there and lived to tell the tale.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28I thought she had died.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30It's a day they'll never forget.
0:00:30 > 0:00:32The day they had a close call.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52Today on Close Calls, a mountain biker takes a jump,
0:00:52 > 0:00:56but fails to take off and smashes headfirst into the ground.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01You all right? Leave him on his side! Leave him on his side!
0:01:04 > 0:01:09And a grandmother misreads a traffic signal and steps out into the road.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12She doesn't see the motorbike coming towards her.
0:01:16 > 0:01:21Also today, horror on a birthday skiing trip in the Alps
0:01:21 > 0:01:23when an avalanche strikes.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27I just saw the snow craze and break up and become liquid.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38Surrey Hills National Park.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40A mountain biker out with his mates in the forest
0:01:40 > 0:01:43has an horrendous accident attempting a jump.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48He hits the ground hard, face first.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52He's unconscious, bleeding and struggling to breathe.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54His panicked friends rush to his side.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57Talk to me. Talk to me.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00They're joined by an off-duty police officer who's witnessed the smash.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03What's your name? Fella, what's your name?
0:02:03 > 0:02:06I realised straightaway that this is a serious situation.
0:02:06 > 0:02:07Fella, talk to me.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10He'll need all his first aid training -
0:02:10 > 0:02:13the rider may have severe head injuries.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15Right. Call 999 now.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25Originally from the North East of England,
0:02:25 > 0:02:2946-year-old Andy Hill now lives and works in London.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32I never thought I'd be a big city man, I like the countryside,
0:02:32 > 0:02:36but the diversity and the different things going on,
0:02:36 > 0:02:38it's a fantastic, eclectic city.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42But Andy also appreciates every opportunity to get out of
0:02:42 > 0:02:43the big smoke.
0:02:43 > 0:02:48I enjoy cycling, walking, I really appreciate the outdoors.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51It was through one of his other hobbies that Andy met his girlfriend
0:02:51 > 0:02:54Abby at a literary festival.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57I saw him sit down and I thought, "He's a handsome man."
0:02:58 > 0:03:03Abby means everything to me. Abby is the most beautiful woman ever.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05He's got a brilliant sense of humour.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09Gives a lot of time to other people, which is a really nice quality.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11But it's a day out with the boys for Andy
0:03:11 > 0:03:14that nearly ends in tragedy for the couple.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19It's a pleasant Saturday morning in October and Andy is looking
0:03:19 > 0:03:23forward to a day's mountain biking in the Surrey Hills -
0:03:23 > 0:03:25an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28He's joining a group of friends from work.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31I used to mountain bike a lot when I was young,
0:03:31 > 0:03:33and I hadn't been mountain biking for about 15 years.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37I know he's fit and I know he's capable and he's a grown man,
0:03:37 > 0:03:42but obviously was still concerned because he hadn't been for a while.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46I was like, "Yep, of course. Of course I'll always be careful."
0:03:46 > 0:03:47Although a keen road cyclist,
0:03:47 > 0:03:52Andy doesn't own a mountain bike, so borrows a pal's for the day.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54I went with Ian and two of his friends,
0:03:54 > 0:03:58two keen mountain bikers and two novices, me being one.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02They were looking out for us and taking us to different jumps,
0:04:02 > 0:04:04but nothing too crazy.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07It doesn't take Andy long to feel back in the saddle.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11Riding was brilliant, cycling along, going down some of these hills.
0:04:11 > 0:04:12It's a real buzz when you go over a jump.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15You get in the air for a brief time and you think,
0:04:15 > 0:04:18"Wow! This is life. This is living."
0:04:19 > 0:04:22Also enjoying the thrill of a day out on two wheels today
0:04:22 > 0:04:24is local IT worker Tim Rowsell.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28He's with a friend and they're recording
0:04:28 > 0:04:30the action on chest cameras.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33Tim is a special constable for the police in his spare time.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38I've always been the kind of person that I don't like to walk on
0:04:38 > 0:04:40by things, I always stop and get involved
0:04:40 > 0:04:43and try and help out where I can.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45Tim also set up the Surrey Search and Rescue charity,
0:04:45 > 0:04:49a specialist team of volunteers which helps the emergency services
0:04:49 > 0:04:52find missing adults and children.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55Surrey Search and Rescue has now grown from the initial ten members
0:04:55 > 0:04:57and we're now approaching 70.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Really just kind of being there when
0:04:59 > 0:05:01the people of Surrey need us the most.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03Tim and Andy don't know each other,
0:05:03 > 0:05:06but are about to tackle the same mountain bike trail.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08It's an area Tim knows well,
0:05:08 > 0:05:12and whilst his friend adjusts his bike, Tim rides on ahead.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16The camera on his chest records as he goes over a difficult jump.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20Then he stops to wait for his friend.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23If you haven't done it before, it's a definite challenging jump
0:05:23 > 0:05:27that you have to make sure you make it over the lip.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30I was expecting my friend Dan to come down the trail next.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33Instead, these four riders came down.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35It's Andy's group.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37The bikers exchange a few words.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41Go for it. You have enough speed there.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Last of his group to take the jump is Andy.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50He hits it at an angle and doesn't get off the ground,
0:05:50 > 0:05:52planting the bike's front wheel.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56He somersaults straight over the handlebars, landing face down.
0:05:58 > 0:05:59You all right?
0:05:59 > 0:06:03Andy's friends rush to help, but it's Tim who takes charge.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05Fella, talk to me. No, no, leave him on his side.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07Leave him on his side. Right. Call 999 now.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09999, mate? Yeah.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Right, fella, talk to me.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13Talk to me.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16Andy was unconscious, his eyes rolling in his head
0:06:16 > 0:06:21and I realised straightaway that this is a serious situation.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Give him some time to get his breath. Fella, talk to me.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29I mean, his face literally hit the ground and then scraped along
0:06:29 > 0:06:31the ground for a good metre or two.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35Fella, what's your name? What's your name? Talk to me.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37ANDY MUMBLES What's your name?
0:06:37 > 0:06:39There could become quite dire consequences from that cos
0:06:39 > 0:06:44his entire body weight going down through his neck into his head.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46What's your name? Talk to me.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48Talk to me. HE MUMBLES
0:06:48 > 0:06:50All right. HE MUMBLES
0:06:50 > 0:06:53All right, talk to me. We're going to get help, all right?
0:06:53 > 0:06:56While one of Andy's shocked friends phones 999,
0:06:56 > 0:06:59Tim supports his head to keep his neck straight
0:06:59 > 0:07:01and his airway open.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05Andy is unconscious and breathing heavily.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07I was concerned about spinal injuries,
0:07:07 > 0:07:08I was concerned about head injuries,
0:07:08 > 0:07:10I was concerned about brain injuries,
0:07:10 > 0:07:12I was concerned about his breathing.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14There was bleeding coming out of his mouth as well.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17You have to talk to me, all right? What's your name?
0:07:17 > 0:07:19What's your name?
0:07:20 > 0:07:22'He wasn't well at all.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25'He needed some expert medical attention'
0:07:25 > 0:07:27and some expert medical kit up there as well.
0:07:28 > 0:07:33It can't come quick enough. Andy just isn't responding.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35Right. Come here a second.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39As part of Surrey Search and Rescue, Tim has a special app on his phone
0:07:39 > 0:07:42that gives the grid reference of their position.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44Go through the list, find G, for grid.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46'Because we are basically in the middle of nowhere,'
0:07:46 > 0:07:48'I was able to get kind of'
0:07:48 > 0:07:4910 metres square area,
0:07:49 > 0:07:51the ambulance would be able to figure out where we were.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55Right. Give it to the 999 coordinators, all right?
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Fella, what's your name?
0:07:57 > 0:08:00And stop anybody else coming down here, all right?
0:08:00 > 0:08:02Andy's still not responding.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Tim keeps trying to get through to him.
0:08:04 > 0:08:05What's your name?
0:08:05 > 0:08:08You had a bit of a fall, but you're going to be all right, OK?
0:08:08 > 0:08:10'We didn't know what injures he may have.'
0:08:10 > 0:08:12I need to try and get him conscious as soon as possible.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14Talk to me. Come on. Wake up.
0:08:14 > 0:08:15They say quite often that unconscious people
0:08:15 > 0:08:17can hear what is going on around them.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20'I was basically asking him a question over and over again.'
0:08:20 > 0:08:22OK. Come on. Open your eyes.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25Open your eyes for me. OK? Open your eyes.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27So that in the background, he'd be kind of thinking,
0:08:27 > 0:08:30"I must answer. I must answer. I must answer."
0:08:30 > 0:08:32Open your eyes.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35Tim keeps trying, and after three minutes...
0:08:35 > 0:08:37Andy stirs.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39What's your name? Fella, come on.
0:08:39 > 0:08:40Talk to me.
0:08:40 > 0:08:41HE MUMBLES: Andrew.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44Andrew. All right, Andrew, my name's Tim.
0:08:44 > 0:08:45You're going to be all right, OK?
0:08:45 > 0:08:48Andy's beginning to come round.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50'Getting the first reaction from Andy was a really good sign.'
0:08:50 > 0:08:54He was getting better and start being able to tell us what
0:08:54 > 0:08:56he could feel was wrong with him.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58All right. Stay still. You've got to stay still, all right?
0:08:58 > 0:09:00You've had a bit of fall there.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03His eyes are now open, but Andy's very disorientated.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05Stay still. No, no, stay still.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07He struggles to get up. Stay laying down.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10All right? Lay onto your back. Use this as a pillow.
0:09:10 > 0:09:11Yeah, I'm fine.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15'It could be a very tough call to either try and force someone down,'
0:09:15 > 0:09:18where you could cause more injuries, then let them get up.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20Andy sits himself up.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24One of his pals is at his side. Tim fills in the gaps for him.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26Fella, we need to get you an ambulance, all right?
0:09:26 > 0:09:28You've been unconscious for quite a while there. Yeah? Yeah.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31It's a good five minutes you've been unconscious,
0:09:31 > 0:09:33so we need to get you sorted out. Have you got any pain anywhere?
0:09:33 > 0:09:35Erm...
0:09:35 > 0:09:38A bit of a bad head. Yeah? Whereabouts? Just...
0:09:40 > 0:09:42What happened?
0:09:42 > 0:09:45Down here. Just did the jump too slowly
0:09:45 > 0:09:47and you went straight over the handlebar.
0:09:47 > 0:09:52Andy can't remember the fall, but his helmet shows the impact.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55Look, it's gone straight through.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58'It definitely shows that wearing a helmet can literally save your life.'
0:09:58 > 0:10:00Was I out for a while, then?
0:10:00 > 0:10:02Yeah, a good five minutes. Yeah? You were out.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05How? Coming down here? Yeah.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08'Even though he was back with us and talking to us,'
0:10:08 > 0:10:10he was being very repetitive.
0:10:10 > 0:10:11So, what happened?
0:10:11 > 0:10:13You went over the handlebars.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16Right, remember the word aardvark for us, all right? Mm-hm.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18Yeah, I'm going to ask you in a few minutes, yeah?
0:10:18 > 0:10:21'There were still definite signs that the head injury had been sustained.'
0:10:21 > 0:10:23It was a big worry for me.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25What just happened? You went over the bars.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28Do you remember what word I gave you a couple of seconds ago?
0:10:28 > 0:10:30Aardvark. Cool. OK.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33Thanks to the grid reference given by Tim,
0:10:33 > 0:10:36the ambulance crew reach the group quickly.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38Andy. Andy. Right. Can you keep nice and still?
0:10:38 > 0:10:40Keep your head nice and still, OK?
0:10:40 > 0:10:42Andy's condition appears to be improving, but because
0:10:42 > 0:10:46he was unconscious for so long, the medics must take every precaution
0:10:46 > 0:10:49in case he has a brain injury.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53Andy's memory of these moments is fragmented.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57When I came round, I was really disorientated, confused.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59Moments ago, I had been enjoying it
0:10:59 > 0:11:03and I cycled through the hills, and then kind of woken up.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06You're still a bit confused, aren't you? Yeah, slightly.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09'I'm not generally the centre of attention,'
0:11:09 > 0:11:12so having everybody kind of looking at me and focusing on me
0:11:12 > 0:11:16was a bit strange, and I started to worry then, how bad is it?
0:11:16 > 0:11:19We're just going to lay you down, OK? Yeah.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23The ambulance crew fit Andy with a neck collar and put him on
0:11:23 > 0:11:25a special mattress to protect his spine.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29Andy is taken to hospital in nearby Guildford.
0:11:31 > 0:11:3430 minutes later, he calls girlfriend Abby.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38I could tell from his voice that something was wrong.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42Got it out of him that he was in hospital.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45I got into my car and drove to the hospital.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48He was more concerned that I was going to be OK driving there
0:11:48 > 0:11:52than he was for his condition, so that's typical of him.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55While Abby's on her way,
0:11:55 > 0:11:59Andy is sent for x-rays and a CT scan of his head.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02Amazingly, helped by the protection of his helmet,
0:12:02 > 0:12:04he's come out relatively unscathed.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08I was really lucky to escape with a few cuts and bruises to my face
0:12:08 > 0:12:13and I broke one of the little bones in my right ring finger.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17Even though he was unconscious, nothing major had happened to him
0:12:17 > 0:12:24physically with his spine or his brain, he was so fortunate.
0:12:24 > 0:12:25I was so relieved to see him.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29We just gave each other a hug and I tried not to hug him too hard.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34Andy still can't remember the moments immediately before
0:12:34 > 0:12:39and after his crash, but thanks to Tim's camera, he can watch them.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47Fella, talk to me. No, no, leave him on his side.
0:12:47 > 0:12:48Leave him on his side, leave him on his side.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51'That is... It's a scary, scary, scary moment.'
0:12:51 > 0:12:54It's really difficult to watch.
0:12:54 > 0:13:00Just seeing myself completely unable to respond, react, to get up.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03I am extremely lucky to be alive.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07Andy is thankful to rescuer Tim.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11'I spoke to Tim afterwards, expressed my thanks.'
0:13:11 > 0:13:14I definitely, I owe him more than a pint.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17I'm obviously very pleased Andy is alive, he's well,
0:13:17 > 0:13:21he's basically uninjured so, yeah, very good ending to this story.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29Coming up, a skier's helmet camera captures the moment
0:13:29 > 0:13:32he is swept down the mountain by an avalanche.
0:13:44 > 0:13:45Harlow, Essex.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49A commuter records his journey to work using cameras on
0:13:49 > 0:13:52the front and rear of his scooter.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54He approaches a junction.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57While the right-lane filter lights are red,
0:13:57 > 0:14:00the main road light is green for go.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03But a grandmother about to cross the road misreads the signals
0:14:03 > 0:14:06and steps out.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08The impact is unavoidable.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10She crashes to the ground.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14I was so much in shock that it affected me right to my core.
0:14:26 > 0:14:3074-year-old Madeline from Cheshunt in Hertfordshire
0:14:30 > 0:14:31is always on the go.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34I don't have time to sit down.
0:14:34 > 0:14:35I fall asleep if I sit down.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40I love gardening. I've done gardening for other people.
0:14:40 > 0:14:41Decorating.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46I get pleasure in doing things for other people.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49Before she retired, Madeline worked in many different roles in retail,
0:14:49 > 0:14:52manufacturing and hygiene.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56I just had amazing jobs. I loved my work.
0:14:56 > 0:14:57Madeline's always been devoted
0:14:57 > 0:15:00to her two children, John and Michelle,
0:15:00 > 0:15:02and four grandchildren.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06Two are in Italy, so obviously, I don't see them as much.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08We FaceTime each other, so that's cool.
0:15:08 > 0:15:13Then we have Maddie, who is named after me, and Joshua -
0:15:13 > 0:15:17he's got the most cheeky little grin and chuckle.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19Maddie and Joshua are daughter Michelle's children,
0:15:19 > 0:15:22with her partner, Jay.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24Sadly, less than a year ago,
0:15:24 > 0:15:28the family suffered a great loss when Michelle passed away.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32She...
0:15:32 > 0:15:34Just an amazing person.
0:15:34 > 0:15:39She helped so many other people and she'd walk into a room
0:15:39 > 0:15:42and her smile would light up everyone.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45She was just a very loving, caring person.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47Life isn't right sometimes, is it?
0:15:47 > 0:15:49It doesn't make sense.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51It's something you can't get over,
0:15:51 > 0:15:54you don't get over, but you've got to try and cope.
0:15:54 > 0:15:59Madeline's way of coping is to help her daughter's partner, Jay,
0:15:59 > 0:16:00look after the children.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02I see Maddie and Joshua every day.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04I make sure I sort her school clothes,
0:16:04 > 0:16:08make sure she's got them, she just has to put them on.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10It's all the little things.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12All the appointments to the doctors,
0:16:12 > 0:16:17dentist and take them to parties and try to help Jay sort stuff out.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19She's become the linchpin of the family,
0:16:19 > 0:16:21they couldn't do without her.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27It's a gloomy, rainy August morning with little sign of summer when
0:16:27 > 0:16:30the busy grandmother finishes her domestic chores
0:16:30 > 0:16:33and gets ready to go out on an errand.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35The plan that day was to take my daughter's car in to be
0:16:35 > 0:16:39serviced cos we've decided we needed to keep it for the little ones,
0:16:39 > 0:16:42and a friend of ours was going to take it in for us,
0:16:42 > 0:16:46but I decided to go as well.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49Madeline and her friend head for the garage in the nearby town of
0:16:49 > 0:16:51Harlow, 25 minutes away.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56At about the same time, flour mill worker Peter is leaving his
0:16:56 > 0:17:00Harlow flat on the way to work by scooter.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02He's an experienced rush-hour commuter
0:17:02 > 0:17:04and always videos his journeys,
0:17:04 > 0:17:07with one camera facing front and the other, back.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12It's about ten miles from where I live to where I work.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14I don't always take the same route.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18Just to avoid complacency, normally I switch every month.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21And this particular route is the shortest journey.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25Madeline and her friend are now on foot, having just dropped
0:17:25 > 0:17:27the car off at the garage.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30We were just coming out of there and we thought we'd go for a coffee,
0:17:30 > 0:17:35and wait. And I was going to cross the road, cos it looked clear.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38My friend said, "No, it's safer to go to the traffic lights."
0:17:38 > 0:17:41The pair are aiming for the supermarket cafe on
0:17:41 > 0:17:43the other side of the road.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46They approach the traffic lights.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49There are no pedestrian signals, just traffic control.
0:17:49 > 0:17:50But there is a sign on the tarmac
0:17:50 > 0:17:54instructing pedestrians to look right.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56But Madeline doesn't notice it.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58When you go towards the road,
0:17:58 > 0:18:02the path sloped down a little bit and there was a hedge on the right.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04I couldn't see clearly.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07Saw the traffic lights were red, cars stopped.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11But the red traffic light she sees controls cars in the filter lane
0:18:11 > 0:18:13waiting to turn right.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17The lane on the left for the main flow of traffic
0:18:17 > 0:18:20is controlled by another light, and that's on green.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24I just wanted to get across the road, like you do.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Peter is approaching the junction.
0:18:27 > 0:18:28I wasn't in a rush that day.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32I was just taking it easy, as I normally do.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35The speed limit is 40mph, but he's doing 30,
0:18:35 > 0:18:37conscious of the wet tarmac.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Madeline's view is blocked by her umbrella,
0:18:40 > 0:18:43she's totally unaware of the approaching bike.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45She steps out into the road.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47Her friend behind her.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53Peter brakes, but he can't avoid the impact.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58Looking back in horror, he sees Madeline face down on the tarmac.
0:19:01 > 0:19:06I was able to react as quickly as I could and just...
0:19:06 > 0:19:10managed to glance her, rather than hitting her full-on.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16I was so much in shock that it affected me right to my core.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18Madeline's friend tries to revive her
0:19:18 > 0:19:21as other drivers call for an ambulance.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25Peter turns his scooter around and heads back to the crossing.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29She was moving, I knew she wasn't dead.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33But...because she was so small, I was just picturing in my head
0:19:33 > 0:19:36that maybe she'd got broken bones or anything like that.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38Madeline is unconscious.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41I don't remember anything at all,
0:19:41 > 0:19:44which I'm glad, because I think I would have been in a lot of pain.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47The 74-year-old lies in the road,
0:19:47 > 0:19:49her confused friend standing over her.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Two passers-by stop to help.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58By chance, one of the helpers is an off-duty nurse.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02Apparently, I was trying to get up.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05Yeah, I'm one of these people if I fall over, "I'm fine," you know.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09The emergency services arrive quickly.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13The first responder showed up within a couple of minutes.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16I don't think it had any impact on how I felt, cos I was so...
0:20:18 > 0:20:20..so much in shock.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22Moments later, an ambulance crew arrive
0:20:22 > 0:20:25and take Madeline to hospital.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28The next thing she remembers is waking up in a ward with
0:20:28 > 0:20:30the concerned faces of son-in-law Jay and her friend
0:20:30 > 0:20:33looking down at her.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35I looked up and I thought, "What are they doing there?"
0:20:35 > 0:20:38These two faces looking at me.
0:20:38 > 0:20:43And then obviously, everywhere aches cos I was all bruised.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46Madeline is black and blue all over,
0:20:46 > 0:20:49with nasty deep cuts on her head and arm.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51But thankfully, she has no broken bones.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55She remains in hospital for six days and is fitted with a neck brace.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00My first thought was for Maddie because,
0:21:00 > 0:21:03"Oh, my gosh! She's just lost her mummy.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06"How is she going to react with me not being there,
0:21:06 > 0:21:07"not being at home?"
0:21:07 > 0:21:10So, son-in-law Jay brings the children to see her.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12She held back a little bit,
0:21:12 > 0:21:14but once I started talking to her, she was fine.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17We had to tell her I fell down the stairs and she says,
0:21:17 > 0:21:20"OK, Nanny, what you do is you go down on your bottom,
0:21:20 > 0:21:23"like I did when I was tiny," she's only four -
0:21:23 > 0:21:25"and I'll hold your hand."
0:21:27 > 0:21:28While she's in hospital,
0:21:28 > 0:21:31Madeline gets a chance to reflect on the accident.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34I think it was a warning to slow down.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38I do... I was doing, you know...
0:21:38 > 0:21:43Since I've lost Michelle, I've been doing this, doing that.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47John, my son, said, "Well, I hope they keep you in for a week, Mum."
0:21:47 > 0:21:49I went, "That's not nice."
0:21:49 > 0:21:51He said, "Well, you need to rest."
0:21:51 > 0:21:52When she recovers,
0:21:52 > 0:21:55Madeline apologises to Peter for walking out in front of him
0:21:55 > 0:21:58and insists on paying for the damage to his scooter.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02Well, she's just such a wonderful person.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05I've kept in touch and, yeah,
0:22:05 > 0:22:08I think she's a really good person to know.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11They're both very grateful he's such a careful driver.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14I was so pleased it was Peter, to be quite honest,
0:22:14 > 0:22:16and not a car or someone that was speeding,
0:22:16 > 0:22:18because I wouldn't be here now.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30Great to see so many people willing to help out in a crisis.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33Now, they say it's good to expect the unexpected,
0:22:33 > 0:22:35and that applies even when we're on holiday.
0:22:35 > 0:22:40Here's a tale about a lucky escape for some pals on the slopes.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49Val d'Isere in the French Alps.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53Wearing helmet cameras, a group of friends enjoy some off-piste skiing
0:22:53 > 0:22:56on the region's tallest mountain,
0:22:56 > 0:22:58but it's about to go badly wrong.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02A large crack suddenly appears on the slope.
0:23:02 > 0:23:03I saw the slab open up
0:23:03 > 0:23:07and I knew immediately that there was going to be an avalanche.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10The powerful snow surge engulfs one of the skiers,
0:23:10 > 0:23:13violently throwing him down the mountain.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19I saw Alex go down and I knew that he was in trouble,
0:23:19 > 0:23:22because if you're buried, especially in that snow, you've only got
0:23:22 > 0:23:25a few seconds before you're going to start running out of breath.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37Landscape architect Alex lives in Gloucestershire, and when
0:23:37 > 0:23:41he's not working, he grabs every chance he can to hit the slopes.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44Basically, I garden and I ski.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47The two things that I do with my... any time I have.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49It's exhilarating being in the mountains,
0:23:49 > 0:23:51the area is fabulous, the scenery is amazing,
0:23:51 > 0:23:54you're exercising all the time and you just feel really good.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59The week of his 60th birthday, Alex heads to Val d'Isere in
0:23:59 > 0:24:03the French Alps to celebrate with a large group of family and friends,
0:24:03 > 0:24:06including 25-year-old Teddy.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08Alex is a friend of my father's.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10I've known him since I was very young.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13He's just always been there, skiing with my dad.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17We've skied together with our families for many, many years.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20It's a few days into their trip and six of the more advanced skiers,
0:24:20 > 0:24:25including Alex and Teddy, have an adventurous day planned.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28Where I can, I prefer to go off-piste where there is
0:24:28 > 0:24:32a degree of danger, but it's usually very well controlled.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35There are reports of avalanches in the mountains,
0:24:35 > 0:24:37but they're very, very rare.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41But, to be on the safe side, the group hire a guide to take them down
0:24:41 > 0:24:45the Grande Motte mountain, the highest in the area.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47It's an absolutely gorgeous mountain and you can ski down the front
0:24:47 > 0:24:50of it on the piste, but we had decided to go off the back.
0:24:50 > 0:24:55It was the day before my 60th birthday, we were going to have
0:24:55 > 0:24:58a party that evening and we were all in very, very good spirits.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Alex and Teddy are both wearing helmet cameras
0:25:01 > 0:25:02to record their descent.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Well, for my birthday, I had been given the helmet camera,
0:25:05 > 0:25:08so we're having a great time videoing everybody.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11Alex can be seen skiing past Teddy.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15Then they start down a stretch of snow lying on top of a glacier.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19Alex goes third behind another member of the group - Henry.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23His camera shows the guide at the front leading the way.
0:25:24 > 0:25:25Conditions were great.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28There was nothing untoward about the slope.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31But disaster's about to strike.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34In front of Alex, Henry turns sharply.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40A deep crack appears in the snow.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43Behind Alex, Teddy senses the danger.
0:25:43 > 0:25:44I saw the slab open up
0:25:44 > 0:25:48and I knew immediately that there was going to be an avalanche.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51And I shouted, "Avalanche!"
0:25:51 > 0:25:54I didn't see the crack as the slab broke away.
0:25:54 > 0:25:59I just saw the snow craze and break up and become sort of liquid.
0:25:59 > 0:26:03Everything was floating and moving like it was a boiling pan of water.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07Alex loses his footing and his camera captures the moment
0:26:07 > 0:26:09the avalanche swallows him up.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23Alex is swept down the mountain at great speed.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26Pummelled by the heavy weight of the sliding snow,
0:26:26 > 0:26:29he struggles to keep himself from going under.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31The power of the snow was just unbelievable.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33There was nothing I could do about it.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37I was just tumbling, falling, somersaulting backwards,
0:26:37 > 0:26:39forwards, upside-down.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41I was thinking, "Stay alive, stay alive, stay alive!"
0:26:41 > 0:26:46Close behind, Teddy just manages to avoid the avalanche
0:26:46 > 0:26:49by skiing to the side, out of its path.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52When I saw Alex go down I knew that he was in trouble, because if you're
0:26:52 > 0:26:54buried, especially in that snow, you've only got
0:26:54 > 0:26:57a few seconds before you're going to start running out of breath.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01Alex is thrown around by the snow for nearly 30 seconds,
0:27:01 > 0:27:05but then the avalanche slows and he comes to a stop.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08He lands face up, but his legs are buried.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12The snow continues moving past him like lava from a volcano.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16I was panting with adrenaline, I think.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20Alex frees himself as the avalanche travels on more than a mile
0:27:20 > 0:27:23to the bottom of the mountain, leaving him in its wake.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27Alex went down, I think, 500m down the hill, he went a long way.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31If he had done one more tumble and ended up face down with a foot
0:27:31 > 0:27:34of snow on his back, he wouldn't have been able to pull his body up.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37He would have...perhaps suffocated if we hadn't found him in time.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39Luckily, everyone was OK.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43Nothing more than bruises and dented pride, really.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45We just clapped each other on the back and said,
0:27:45 > 0:27:47"Let's go get a beer."
0:27:47 > 0:27:51With his birthday present camera also surviving its dramatic
0:27:51 > 0:27:55first outing, Alex will always be able to recall what happened
0:27:55 > 0:27:56on the day he turned 60.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59Well, the first half of it, anyway.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01Alex had a fantastic 60th birthday that night.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03We had a great party that evening,
0:28:03 > 0:28:06especially with being all exhilarated from that experience,
0:28:06 > 0:28:09and I don't remember much about it, actually.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20Some truly gripping stories today, I think you'll agree.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22But that's all from Close Calls. See you next time.