0:00:02 > 0:00:03Today on Real Rescues...
0:00:03 > 0:00:06The air ambulance is scrambled to a Dorset landmark.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16Lying at the bottom of a huge sandstone rock
0:00:16 > 0:00:17is a 12-year-old schoolgirl.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20Right, what we're going to do is we're going to hold your neck,
0:00:20 > 0:00:23and I want you to tell me if it hurts. Ow! On the side there?
0:00:26 > 0:00:28The Tobermory lifeboat work at full stretch
0:00:28 > 0:00:30to haul a stricken fishing boat
0:00:30 > 0:00:34and her three crew away from the rocks.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37Five metre waves are crashing over the deck.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42And a 999 call from a 12-year-old boy.
0:00:49 > 0:00:50His mum is unconscious.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53She's collapsed, face first, onto the floor.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15Hello and welcome to Real Rescues,
0:01:15 > 0:01:18highlighting the work of the emergency services across the UK.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21Dealing with remote locations and increasingly busy roads,
0:01:21 > 0:01:24the quickest way to get emergency help is often by air.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27There are currently 32 air-ambulance helicopters
0:01:27 > 0:01:29operating across England and Wales,
0:01:29 > 0:01:32and the pilots become expert at improvising landing sites
0:01:32 > 0:01:34at all sorts of locations.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41It's the school summer holidays
0:01:41 > 0:01:43and the air ambulance has been scrambled to help
0:01:43 > 0:01:48a 12-year-old girl who's fallen from a huge sandstone rock near Poole.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54OK, we've got it, once we go in there, I'll see it. Righty-ho.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57The crew is heading west, straddling the coastline,
0:01:57 > 0:02:00searching for a local beauty spot, Agglestone Rock.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04I think I can see it. You see the path that cuts through the gorse?
0:02:04 > 0:02:06Yeah. Aim for that.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09The rock is the size of a house
0:02:09 > 0:02:11and sits alone in a vast expanse of heathland.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27They've found the rock - now they need a landing pad.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30There's somebody waving you down in blue,
0:02:30 > 0:02:32some distance away, you don't want to go in there.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35There's no obvious area level enough.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Pilot Max Hoskins is relying on experience
0:02:38 > 0:02:39to judge where to put down.
0:02:42 > 0:02:43OK, radio that out.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18Paramedic Mark Williams finds the young Elodie in a lot of pain,
0:03:18 > 0:03:22lying at the foot of the rocks, surrounded by family and friends.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27Mum Pauline's at her side trying to comfort her.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30If I get you guys, all friends, to move out of the way for a minute.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32Mum can stay.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35OK, so all she's done is jump off the top of this boulder,
0:03:35 > 0:03:38land on her feet and then topple backwards onto her bum.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Didn't hit her head? No. Wasn't knocked out? No. Good.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Right, Elodie, what we're going to do is we're going to hold your neck
0:03:44 > 0:03:46and I want you to tell me if it hurts.
0:03:46 > 0:03:51Elodie fell back hard as she landed and let out a scream of pain.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Falling from such a height may have injured her spine.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56OK, what about the sides? Ow!
0:03:56 > 0:04:00On the side there? On that side? Just on this side?
0:04:00 > 0:04:02The land ambulance crew have given her gas and air
0:04:02 > 0:04:05to reduce the pain, but as Mark checks her spine,
0:04:05 > 0:04:09two areas are very tender. It's a cause for concern.
0:04:09 > 0:04:10SHE GROANS
0:04:10 > 0:04:12Can you wiggle both your feet for me?
0:04:12 > 0:04:15That's not a wiggle! A proper wiggle!
0:04:15 > 0:04:18Perfect! Good. Can you raise your knees a bit?
0:04:18 > 0:04:20Right, what we'll do...
0:04:20 > 0:04:22We're going to roll you onto a board.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25The paramedics can't take chances where back injuries are concerned.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28They need to immobilise Elodie on a board
0:04:28 > 0:04:31before moving her to the helicopter.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34First, Mark checks if she needs more pain relief.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36Did this gas work, or did you not really try it?
0:04:38 > 0:04:41Brilliant. So, we can try that again. Yeah. OK?
0:04:41 > 0:04:44Cos it will be awkward moving you and probably the worst bit.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46Look at that...
0:04:46 > 0:04:48Her position isn't helping the pain.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51The sooner they can get her flat on the board the better.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55We need a willing volunteer.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59If you come around to the other side. I need you this end.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Move that one there, then. That will do for the minute.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05What we're going to do is we're going to roll her over
0:05:05 > 0:05:06on the person at the head's command,
0:05:06 > 0:05:09because we want to keep her nice and straight.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12The idea being, her spine will be here, head there, feet down there.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15And just guide her feet over with us. Go with the flow.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19You're doing really well.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23OK. Everybody happy? Yeah. OK, on roll. Ready, set, roll.
0:05:23 > 0:05:24ELODIE WHINES
0:05:24 > 0:05:26Keep taking the gas. That's it.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28SHE CRIES OUT
0:05:28 > 0:05:29And again.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33Despite Elodie's cries, this is the safest way to move her.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Down! Well done.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41You are so good. Ready, set, slide.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Perfect. Well done, darling.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46Elodie, let's just move you up from the rocks.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48Now she's in a better position,
0:05:48 > 0:05:52paramedic Paul Owen listens for any possible chest injury.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56Then a collar is put on to protect her neck.
0:05:56 > 0:05:57It won't be long now, hon.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00Paramedic Mark does his best to lift her spirits.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02So which bit? Have you climbed the main bit yet?
0:06:02 > 0:06:04She went nearly up to the top.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06You can climb the overhang. It's really good.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09It's a frightening experience for Elodie.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12But once she's strapped up, she seems to calm down.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14The gas and air is working.
0:06:17 > 0:06:22We'll show you. We'll tip you on your side. Right. Ready, set, lift.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25Has anybody actually got any weight? Because I haven't.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27That's because I'm carrying it all.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31If you open your eyes now, we'll lift you up. Can you see it?
0:06:31 > 0:06:33Yeah! Isn't it cool?!
0:06:33 > 0:06:35I can't see it from there.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38Is that good? It looks cool. It does. Shall we go for a ride in it?
0:06:38 > 0:06:41Let's get you inside. Keep your feet together.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Can you move your left leg? Not really. No?
0:06:44 > 0:06:46Is it always over at an angle like that?
0:06:46 > 0:06:49You wiggled it well for me a minute ago. Bye.
0:06:49 > 0:06:50Will put you in here.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Mum's going to travel with Elodie to hospital.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55Right, let's go to Poole, then.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03But that's a tall order, even for a helicopter.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07How many?
0:07:07 > 0:07:08130. Red out.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13They head for Poole Park and rendezvous with the ambulance crew
0:07:13 > 0:07:16who will take Elodie on to the hospital.
0:07:16 > 0:07:17Right, there's two guys here.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21They'll give you, hopefully, a not very bumpy ride to hospital.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23Thank you. It a pleasure.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25Oh, my God! You're heavy.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29At Poole Hospital's specialist children's trauma unit,
0:07:29 > 0:07:31doctors will assess Elodie's injuries.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42On-board the Tobermory lifeboat on the far west coast of Scotland,
0:07:42 > 0:07:46the camera is recording sea swells reaching 8m.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50It's a force nine gale, and winds are gusting at 60mph.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53The coastguard has dispatched the RNLI crew to rescue
0:07:53 > 0:07:55three fishermen whose boat has broken down.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57It's almost 30 miles away
0:07:57 > 0:07:59off the coast of Coll, in the Inner Hebrides.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03The conditions were a lot at worse than we usually go out in.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06It was January, and there was a storm blowing through.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08We started from Tobermory
0:08:08 > 0:08:12and proceeded around the northern tip of the Isle of Mull,
0:08:12 > 0:08:14then around the northern tip of Coll and made our way
0:08:14 > 0:08:16to the position of the fishing boat.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19It was the roughest I've been out in.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22In places, the seas were 7m or 8m.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25Four metres is the highest I've seen up to now.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28That day everybody was strapped in.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32Again and again, the lifeboat hits the waves.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34All the crew are wearing harnesses.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37The seas are so high, the lifeboat has to reduce its speed.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41After an hour, they get their first sight of the stricken fishing boat,
0:08:41 > 0:08:42the Silver Spray.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45They're a mile away, but the conditions are so bad
0:08:45 > 0:08:49this is not going to be the routine tow they were expecting.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52In swells like that, you can't get too close to the other vessel.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54If we're towing another vessel,
0:08:54 > 0:08:58we try and get a couple of crew on board the towed vessel.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01But that day it was just deemed too dangerous to do.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05The gear box of the Silver Spray has failed.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08A tow is the only hope of rescue.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11Skipper Woody Grafton and his two crew have anchored up
0:09:11 > 0:09:15on a fishing line, abandoning their crab fishing.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19The Tobermory lifeboat moves as close as it safely can
0:09:19 > 0:09:20towards the fishing boat.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27A tow line is passed to the Silver Spray.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37With the two rope safely attached at both ends,
0:09:37 > 0:09:39the lifeboat starts to take up the slack.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44The tow begins.
0:09:45 > 0:09:50But the high waves are putting too much pressure on the rope.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52They need to let out more slack.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55The coxswain decides to use all 200m of tow line.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03It's less than ten miles to the boat's home harbour
0:10:03 > 0:10:05at Milton on the Isle of Tyree,
0:10:05 > 0:10:07but conditions are getting worse.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11Keeping eye contact between the boats is almost impossible.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17The fishing boat was disappearing behind these swells
0:10:17 > 0:10:18for seconds at a time.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22Even though we could see that the tension was on the rope
0:10:22 > 0:10:25and we were happily towing them, we weren't having a problem there,
0:10:25 > 0:10:26it is still unnerving
0:10:26 > 0:10:29every time that fishing boat disappears behind a wave.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32They can't risk taking the direct route through Gunna Sound
0:10:32 > 0:10:34between the two Hebridean islands,
0:10:34 > 0:10:38so it is five hours before they reached the entrance to
0:10:38 > 0:10:41Milton Harbour on the Isle of Tyree, the boat's home.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44We kept in touch with the boys every 15 or 20 minutes or so
0:10:44 > 0:10:47to make sure that everything was cool on their boat.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50We let the Stornoway coastguard know where we were at
0:10:50 > 0:10:51and where we were going.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54As we were coming around the north end of Coll,
0:10:54 > 0:10:57he let us know on the radio that his friend was coming in another
0:10:57 > 0:11:00fishing boat to tow him into the bay because it was too narrow
0:11:00 > 0:11:01and shallow for our boat.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05These are experienced fishermen.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09They know these waters and have done this many times before.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12Once the tow had been transferred onto the smaller fishing vessel,
0:11:12 > 0:11:16we took up a position just behind the casualty vessel.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19In case anything happened, we were ready to go in
0:11:19 > 0:11:22in case the rope was to break or anything was to go wrong.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24The Silver Spray is so close to home
0:11:24 > 0:11:28but conditions are at their worst at the harbour entrance.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31The waves are crashing over the boat.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34It's putting too much strain on the rope.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37It snaps.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42Later, the lifeboat heads into harbour.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45It has two get another tow line onto the Silver Spray
0:11:45 > 0:11:49before it is smashed by 5m waves onto the rocks.
0:11:55 > 0:12:00The call takers here at the South Western Ambulance Service Trust -
0:12:00 > 0:12:02or the Clinical Hub, as it now known, yeah -
0:12:02 > 0:12:05have to be detectives as well as call handlers.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08If we can interrupt Kat. Are you not on a call? No, I'm fine.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11I was explaining that you have to be a detective
0:12:11 > 0:12:13when people haven't a clue where they are.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16No, sometimes they can be on a road that they don't know
0:12:16 > 0:12:18or they're going a long distance.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22So give us an example of how you help someone out.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25I took a call for a road-traffic accident on a country road
0:12:25 > 0:12:27in Somerset.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30Right. Unfortunately, the caller didn't know where they were.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34So how do you start? Do you ask for landmarks?
0:12:34 > 0:12:37Yes, you start off asking if they can see any shop or any road names.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41Anything like that. Did that work? They didn't have anything for me.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43OK. So where do you start, then?
0:12:43 > 0:12:47I asked them where they were coming from and they said Glastonbury.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Right, so if you want to come round here, you can see on the screen.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52We've got Glastonbury here.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Having established Glastonbury, what do you ask then?
0:12:55 > 0:12:59I asked them whereabouts in Glastonbury they started.
0:12:59 > 0:13:04It seems to help. So they gave me a main road in Glastonbury. OK.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08So I started from there, and I asked them for directions from there.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11So turn left at the junction, turn right etc, etc. Yes.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15That heads them out on this main road. The A361 heading out.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Yes. And they told me they went into a village called Pilton. OK.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21They'd remembered that as they went through.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24Yes. Stayed on the main road or turned off?
0:13:24 > 0:13:26They turned off onto a country road.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28I asked them if they saw signs for other villages
0:13:28 > 0:13:31and they said they saw one for Pylle, which is down here.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34OK, so we've not got them travelling down this road. Yes.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36And from there, you have to ask them
0:13:36 > 0:13:39if they've seen anything that will stand out.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42Farms or if they crossed a bridge, anything like that
0:13:42 > 0:13:45that can help narrow it down on that road.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47You managed to narrow it down? Yes, eventually.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50And how long from the point they called in to the point where
0:13:50 > 0:13:52you'd established where they were?
0:13:52 > 0:13:54The whole process took about ten minutes.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Which, given that the South Western Ambulance Service Trust
0:13:57 > 0:13:59covers one fifth of the country,
0:13:59 > 0:14:01to find someone in ten minutes is some going.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03You must have been pleased?
0:14:03 > 0:14:05I was quite pleased, yes.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08Real detective work, as you can see. Thank you very much. Thank you.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18The Southeast ambulance control room in Lewes, East Sussex.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20Emergency medical adviser Ali Denison
0:14:20 > 0:14:22has just answered a call from a worried child.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44The caller is 12-year-old George Davey.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47His mum Kerry has just collapsed in front of him.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51I was just sat down on the sofa with my mum
0:14:51 > 0:14:53and she just stood up
0:14:53 > 0:14:58and straight away just...fell,
0:14:58 > 0:15:01completely fell face first.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05Then I saw like bloodstains on the carpet,
0:15:05 > 0:15:09and that's when I really got scared.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13So I phoned for an ambulance.
0:15:42 > 0:15:43He did exactly what I said.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46He asked for specific instructions
0:15:46 > 0:15:48and he followed them out, I could hear him doing it.
0:15:48 > 0:15:49He was very, very good.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52He was better than most people I speak to.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11Ali needs George to put his mum into the recovery position.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28We have to straightaway if somebody is not responding, get them
0:16:28 > 0:16:32on their left-hand side so their breathing is not compromised.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34And he did this straightaway.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50But at last there's some good news from young George.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02Ambulance technician Nick Russell has arrived in a rapid-response car.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06He was dispatched from his standby position just 300 metres away.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09George came out and met me as I was walking in.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11He seemed very relieved when I got there.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15I think just having somebody there with him was enough.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17I found Kerry in the lounge,
0:17:17 > 0:17:22lying on her front with her head in the carpet basically.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26And quite a fair bit of blood around her head.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28Quite a distressing scene to walk into.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44She had an obvious head injury
0:17:44 > 0:17:47which appeared to be coming from her mouth and nose
0:17:47 > 0:17:52and probably as a result of where Kerry had fallen against the floor.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55Immediately I knew that she needed to go to hospital
0:17:55 > 0:17:57and needed further care, so I immediately called for backup.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59So did George.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03I went and phoned my Nan to come around and help,
0:18:03 > 0:18:06like give me some support really.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10And then they put her on a stretcher and wheeled her out to the ambulance.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13George remembers staying behind to help his Nan clean up,
0:18:13 > 0:18:17although he would have preferred to have gone with his mum in the ambulance.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19That was a bit frustrating.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22I understand that that was the best thing to do,
0:18:22 > 0:18:26but it didn't particularly feel like it to me at the time.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28I did just want to go and see her.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31A photograph of Kerry taken at A&E
0:18:31 > 0:18:33reveals just how serious her injuries were.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35There are no physical scars,
0:18:35 > 0:18:39but she is still suffering the after effects.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43I broke my nose and for quite a few hours,
0:18:43 > 0:18:45or if not a couple of days afterwards,
0:18:45 > 0:18:49I was still really disorientated and quite confused
0:18:49 > 0:18:54and trying to do simple things that you would normally remember easily.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56It was a struggle to remember.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58It feels a bit weird.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01Kerry has suffered with a rare nerve disorder in the past
0:19:01 > 0:19:03which caused her to black out,
0:19:03 > 0:19:06but she had not fainted for 13 years.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08She had a brain scan at the hospital and has since been
0:19:08 > 0:19:12to a neurologist, but they have yet to find a reason for this fall.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14They still can't decide.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17There's things that happened that point towards me
0:19:17 > 0:19:21having just fainted, but lack of memory from the day before
0:19:21 > 0:19:24and for hours afterwards, they're not sure
0:19:24 > 0:19:25if it was that I fainted or a fit,
0:19:25 > 0:19:30or whether I knocked myself unconscious as I fell down
0:19:30 > 0:19:33because my face fell on to the floor
0:19:33 > 0:19:36and I didn't try and stop myself.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39George is delighted to have his mum back home and on the mend,
0:19:39 > 0:19:42but memories of that day are still vivid.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46I thought she might have been playing with me to start with
0:19:46 > 0:19:48until I started to roll her over
0:19:48 > 0:19:51and then it was just plain fear, really.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53I was really scared.
0:19:53 > 0:19:59He's a very kind, a very generous, very loving he's...
0:19:59 > 0:20:01He's my world really,
0:20:01 > 0:20:04but the fact that he did what he did for me,
0:20:04 > 0:20:06if he hadn't been there, I don't know how long
0:20:06 > 0:20:10I'd have been lying on the floor or what would have happened really.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12It was an alarming experience for a young man.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15George was delighted to receive a certificate for his bravery
0:20:15 > 0:20:19from all the team who helped get his mum the help she needed that day.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21They were all there, the three paramedics
0:20:21 > 0:20:23and Ali who had taken the call.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25That was really good, yeah,
0:20:25 > 0:20:27that felt really nice, yes.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30I've never actually met another caller before
0:20:30 > 0:20:33and to put a voice to a face made it a bit more real to be honest.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36It was lovely, he's such a lovely boy
0:20:36 > 0:20:38and his mum was really nice as well
0:20:38 > 0:20:41and for me to thank him
0:20:41 > 0:20:44in person was really special, very good.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48I'm very, very proud of him.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51It's not a nice thing for anybody to have to go through,
0:20:51 > 0:20:55but for a child and the fact that he stayed so calm
0:20:55 > 0:20:59and managed to do what he did, I am very, very proud of him, extremely.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06Coming up on Real Rescues:
0:21:06 > 0:21:09Traffic cop PC Sam Silk heads up the M1.
0:21:09 > 0:21:14A car has suffered a major impact, the driver is inside and injured.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17We've got somebody trapped in that one? Really trapped as well.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19It's going to be roof off to get him out.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22And the summer heat wave gets the better of Dorothy.
0:21:22 > 0:21:28I turned round and walked on to the rough edge of that arm. It's rough.
0:21:34 > 0:21:38In the seas off the Isle of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides a rescue
0:21:38 > 0:21:41is being recorded by a camera on board the RNLI lifeboat.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48The Tobermory volunteer lifeboat crew have endured horrendous
0:21:48 > 0:21:51conditions towing the stricken Silver Spray home to Milton Harbour.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56In the entrance the tow line is passed to a smaller boat.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58The lifeboat is standing by,
0:21:58 > 0:22:02but everyone involved thinks it's the end of a seven-hour rescue.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04Suddenly, everything changes.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08The fishing boat and crew are now at the mercy of the waves.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12How quick it did go wrong was surprising, really surprising,
0:22:12 > 0:22:13and quite scary for a wee while.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16He dropped the tow for my boat, and I established a tow
0:22:16 > 0:22:20with his friend's vessel, the smaller fishing vessel.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23Just as they were going into the main mouth of the bay
0:22:23 > 0:22:24they got on the radio.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30They had snapped the line and they were adrift again in the breakers.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33You could tell by the tone of his voice he was frantic,
0:22:33 > 0:22:35talking fast, and almost shouting.
0:22:38 > 0:22:43I think he realised how quick it had gone wrong and what danger he was in
0:22:43 > 0:22:47with the boat bouncing around and everything, so he was quite frantic.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51The coxswain turns up full throttle and heads into the harbour.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53The waters are shallow and the rocks are all around,
0:22:53 > 0:22:58but the Silver Spray is now helpless. No tow and no power.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01There are jaggy rocks in the seabed there.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04The boat could have easily been taken side onto these waves
0:23:04 > 0:23:06and they could have been knocked off their feet
0:23:06 > 0:23:09and swept off the deck and that could entirely change things.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13People going in the water, with those jaggy rocks and those swells,
0:23:13 > 0:23:14would not stand a very good chance.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19We could have jeopardised our boat as well, going in so close,
0:23:19 > 0:23:21so we had to get in fairly quick.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25The crew have to get another tow line on board the Silver Spray.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29We had to pass it over their stern which is not standard practice.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33We would always try and tow someone from the bow, but due to
0:23:33 > 0:23:36their positioning then this was the only effective way we could do it.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45They do it in just 90 seconds. Now the backward tow begins.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56The lifeboat has to get her over the breakers between the harbour
0:23:56 > 0:23:57and the sea.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00Through these breaking waves that were breaking against the back
0:24:00 > 0:24:02of the lifeboat and pushing the lifeboat forwards,
0:24:02 > 0:24:05the lifeboat was surfing forward in these waves even though
0:24:05 > 0:24:07we had power on all the time
0:24:07 > 0:24:09and the same was happening with the fishing boat.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11The amount of lift and fall in these waves
0:24:11 > 0:24:13was absolutely incredible that day.
0:24:15 > 0:24:20Time and again huge waves crash across the deck of the Silver Spray.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28The coxswain has to push the lifeboat to its limits.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31Then they find out that the Silver Spray hasn't completely
0:24:31 > 0:24:34escaped its contact with the seabed.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36We got a call from the casualty fishing boat
0:24:36 > 0:24:38to say that they were taking on water.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41For 20 merits minutes the Tobermory lifeboat
0:24:41 > 0:24:43battles against the churning sea.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53Finally, they reach relative safety.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56At this point we've been at sea for some nine hours.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00We haven't had breakfast, it's been a long day so far.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02We are now getting to the stage where we've only got
0:25:02 > 0:25:05a couple of hours of light left.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08So once we get the boat out into safer water
0:25:08 > 0:25:12we attach the tow onto the bow and start making way for Tobermory.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21Darkness has fallen before the crew reach home
0:25:21 > 0:25:2411 hours after setting off.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27They've covered a total of 95 miles.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30On the quayside the community is waiting to welcome
0:25:30 > 0:25:33the stricken fishing boat and its rescuers.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36The Silver Spray will moor up here closest to the quay.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40When the tide goes out they can then inspect the damage.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45We were met by a coastguard team and other local fishermen.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48They had no idea what had just happened in the 11 hours
0:25:48 > 0:25:49previous to this.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55And it's just amazing that you can never tell when a lifeboat goes
0:25:55 > 0:25:59out what it's going to encounter and what it's done before it goes back.
0:25:59 > 0:26:00The rescue over,
0:26:00 > 0:26:05the Tobermory lifeboat can finally return to its station nearby.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09Later, Willie recalls the moment the tow line between the two
0:26:09 > 0:26:13boats snapped. We drift over onto the reef.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16As soon as we hit the rocks I started to think, "That's it, the boat's lost."
0:26:16 > 0:26:20I didn't believe we would be able to get off from that position.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28We've talked in the past about children eating things that are dangerous
0:26:28 > 0:26:29because they don't know any better.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31But it's not always children
0:26:31 > 0:26:35and it's not always eating things as much as drinking things.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38Richard, are you free to have a chat? Yep.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42So you had a call about somebody who had drunk something dangerous?
0:26:42 > 0:26:46Yes, it was a chap who was out painting his garage,
0:26:46 > 0:26:48had a glass of water where he was working
0:26:48 > 0:26:51and next to it a glass of white spirit for his paintbrushes.
0:26:51 > 0:26:52You can see where this is going straightaway.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55Yeah, he picked up the wrong glass, had a drink,
0:26:55 > 0:26:58so his wife called an ambulance. Right.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02On that call do you have to ascertain how much has been
0:27:02 > 0:27:04drunk and how dangerous is white spirit?
0:27:04 > 0:27:06It contains a lot of solvents
0:27:06 > 0:27:08and in great quantities it can be very dangerous.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10Especially to your lungs.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12So they went to a full triage
0:27:12 > 0:27:15to find out how much he'd had, how much he'd drunk.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19During the course of the questioning, we've got clinicians here,
0:27:19 > 0:27:22he jumped in as well because they need to know exactly what type
0:27:22 > 0:27:25the white spirit was, how much and so on.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27And if it's a small amount, how do you treat it?
0:27:27 > 0:27:28Thankfully, it was just a mouthful.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34Basically, if that is the case, it was plenty of water, dilute
0:27:34 > 0:27:39it down and didn't need a hospital, just needed to see his GP later.
0:27:39 > 0:27:40If it's a large amount,
0:27:40 > 0:27:45interestingly the instruction is not to try and vomit it up. Aye. Why?
0:27:45 > 0:27:47People's natural reaction is
0:27:47 > 0:27:51if something's gone in that shouldn't be there to make people vomit.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55But with chemicals they've burned the soft tissue on the way down
0:27:55 > 0:27:58and the last thing you want to do is bring them back up
0:27:58 > 0:28:00because they're going to burn the soft tissue way up again.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03Whereas the stomach, because you've already got acid in it,
0:28:03 > 0:28:06is much more capable of looking after it and sealing it in.
0:28:06 > 0:28:10So it's best to dilute it with plenty of water
0:28:10 > 0:28:13and if it's a small amount like this case was, seeing the GP.
0:28:13 > 0:28:14OK, smashing, thank you very much.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24It's the evening rush-hour,
0:28:24 > 0:28:27there's a pile-up on the M1 at Milton Keynes.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30The traffic's in chaos, the tailback is jamming up the town centre.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35PC Sam Silk needs to get there as fast as she can.
0:28:35 > 0:28:36And we're off to another crash
0:28:36 > 0:28:39which is four vehicles, two lorries and two cars.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44Sam arrives to find the Highways Agency
0:28:44 > 0:28:49and two fire engines are already there, the ambulance is en route.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52Hello, where are the ambulances? Sorry? Have you got an ambulance?
0:28:52 > 0:28:55No, not yet. Have you got someone trapped in that one?
0:28:55 > 0:29:00Really trapped. It's going to need the roof off to get him out. OK.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05The collision has happened on the slip road off the motorway.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08The front of the car is damaged as well.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10The driver's still inside.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13He suffered a major impact and can't be moved.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16One of the drivers is heavily trapped in his vehicle.
0:29:16 > 0:29:17The fire brigade are on scene
0:29:17 > 0:29:20but, unfortunately, we just have no ambulance.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22Can you, um, try and chase up some ambulances for me?
0:29:22 > 0:29:25The firefighters will have to cut the roof off his car
0:29:25 > 0:29:27and slide him out on a long board.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31Sam needs to talk to everyone involved.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34Andrew was driving the white van still tangled up with
0:29:34 > 0:29:35the other car.
0:29:35 > 0:29:39He'd just pulled on to the slip road when it all happened behind him.
0:29:39 > 0:29:40This lorry? Yeah.
0:29:40 > 0:29:44He's obviously... He's obviously hit that car, he's hit...
0:29:44 > 0:29:47Oh, right. OK. And then he's gone down this side of...
0:29:47 > 0:29:49He's just shot down here.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52Okey-dokey. Hello, mate. Are you all right?
0:29:52 > 0:29:55Are you driving this one. Yeah. How you doing? I'm fine.
0:29:55 > 0:29:59Lorry driver Barry had just turned off the motorway onto the slip road
0:29:59 > 0:30:01to find queueing traffic.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04I'm on the brakes. OK.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08I'm on the brakes, I'm ON the brakes. Right. I'm standing on the brakes.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10It's not doing anything? Didn't do nothing.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13His lorry went into the back of the silver car which was then
0:30:13 > 0:30:15pushed into the white van.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18Another lorry was also caught up in the collision
0:30:18 > 0:30:19but escaped any damage.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24I've got his details. You've got his details? Oh, yes. OK.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27The main concern is getting the trapped driver out.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30PC Silk is in charge until the paramedics arrive.
0:30:33 > 0:30:38Have we...? I don't know serious he is, you see..
0:30:38 > 0:30:42Bit by bit the car's being taken apart to give access to the driver.
0:30:44 > 0:30:48It's vital the injured man is kept as still as possible in case
0:30:48 > 0:30:49he's damaged his spine.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52Two off-duty paramedics have stopped
0:30:52 > 0:30:55and one has climbed inside the car to hold the driver's head still.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02Now the ambulance is on scene, the driver can be lifted out.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20Inside the ambulance, the crew can examine the driver
0:31:20 > 0:31:23more thoroughly and there are worrying signs -
0:31:23 > 0:31:25his blood pressure is high.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28Still a little bit concerned about him.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31Still running some tests, and when they've finished those,
0:31:31 > 0:31:33they'll come back to us and let us know
0:31:33 > 0:31:35so, maybe getting the helicopter
0:31:35 > 0:31:38to take him off but they're still deciding.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40So once we hear on that, we'll find out.
0:31:42 > 0:31:47Landing an air ambulance would mean closing the M1 in both directions.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49The driver's injuries could be serious,
0:31:49 > 0:31:52it means the Police Accident Investigations Unit
0:31:52 > 0:31:55is needed on site in case it goes to court.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57At the moment, the paramedics believe
0:31:57 > 0:31:59that he's in a bit of a poorly condition.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01His blood pressure is quite high
0:32:01 > 0:32:05which they indicate could be down to a intracranial bleed.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08So with any head injury, we always treat it as serious
0:32:08 > 0:32:10so we're going to have the Accident Investigations out
0:32:10 > 0:32:12just to cover all the bases
0:32:12 > 0:32:15and make sure that we've secured the scene as best we can.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18The decision has been made to take the patient by road.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23The vehicles will have to stay where they are until
0:32:23 > 0:32:27the crash investigators record the scene and photograph it.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29They'll also inspect the lorry's brakes
0:32:29 > 0:32:31after the driver said they locked up.
0:32:31 > 0:32:33These two lanes of the M1
0:32:33 > 0:32:37will be closed for at least a couple of hours.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46It's a hot summer's day on the south coast in Hampshire.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49Emergency care practitioner Malcolm Silvester
0:32:49 > 0:32:52is heading to an elderly woman who's injured her leg.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56She's knocked her leg, lower leg, on a fan.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01And so she's lacerated her lower leg.
0:33:01 > 0:33:03She's got a skin flap on that leg.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06And they've passed it to me
0:33:06 > 0:33:10to go and see if I can deal with her at home.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13Malcolm's training means he can stitch up cuts and dress wounds
0:33:13 > 0:33:17at the patient's home so they don't have to go to hospital.
0:33:17 > 0:33:2191-year-old Dorothy has already managed to charm everyone who's
0:33:21 > 0:33:24spoken to her at the Emergency Call Centre.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28She's a sweetheart, apparently, so... looking forward to meeting her.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30Dorothy's living in sheltered accommodation,
0:33:30 > 0:33:35where the warden has been keeping her company until Malcolm's arrival.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38So how did it happen, then? I turned round and walked on
0:33:38 > 0:33:40to the rough edge of that...
0:33:40 > 0:33:42it's rough.
0:33:42 > 0:33:47On the side... Right, OK.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50So you didn't fall? No. You just walked into it, did you?
0:33:50 > 0:33:53I forgot it was there. Oh. SHE LAUGHS
0:33:53 > 0:33:55She doesn't usually have a fan in the room
0:33:55 > 0:33:58but with the current heatwave has brought it out to try and keep cool.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00It's nice by that fan.
0:34:00 > 0:34:02Do you mind pressing the...?
0:34:02 > 0:34:05No, no. I want it up a bit to the next...
0:34:05 > 0:34:08You want it up a bit? Onto the next one, yeah.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11I don't mind that, cooler the better.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14I thought of getting up and doing it but I thought, "Better not."
0:34:15 > 0:34:17Dorothy is in the best of health, she doesn't suffer
0:34:17 > 0:34:21from any medical conditions other than high blood pressure.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23Just blood pressure, anything else?
0:34:23 > 0:34:26Hypertension. Everybody has blood pressure. Yeah, that's true.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29The flat warden has already put a bandage on Dorothy's
0:34:29 > 0:34:30leg to stop the bleeding
0:34:30 > 0:34:34and once it's removed a nasty wound is revealed.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36Oh, yeah...
0:34:36 > 0:34:39I squashed it all back, you know. Mmm.
0:34:44 > 0:34:45That's fine.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48Yeah, we can sort that out for you.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51Good news for Dorothy. If Malcolm can treat her at home,
0:34:51 > 0:34:54it will save a trip to the hospital.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57But she'll have to be stoical while he cleans it up.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00What I'm going to do...I'm going to, sort of...
0:35:00 > 0:35:04it may be a bit sore, OK, so I'm going to lift that back and clean it.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06And then I'm going to put it back...
0:35:06 > 0:35:08together, all right? Mmm.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14As he works Malcolm's trying to take Dorothy's mind off the pain.
0:35:14 > 0:35:18How long you been living here, Dorothy? About...nearly two years.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20Nearly two years. Where were you before that, then?
0:35:20 > 0:35:22Isle of Wight.
0:35:22 > 0:35:28My husband retired 26 years ago. So, you retired there? Yeah.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31There's one thing that's worrying Dorothy.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34I'm supposed to be going on holiday on Monday.
0:35:34 > 0:35:38Where you going? Malvern. Malvern Hills.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42And Worcester. And how are you getting there. Coach. Coach?
0:35:42 > 0:35:45I don't see why you shouldn't be able to go.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47I think that's going to be fine.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50The sterilised strip will hold the wound together
0:35:50 > 0:35:52so Dorothy won't need stitches,
0:35:52 > 0:35:56and it turns out she has experience of this type of medical procedure.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58Where did you used to work?
0:35:58 > 0:36:04I worked up at the hospital. The hospital? Oh, right.
0:36:04 > 0:36:09Auxiliary nurse. Were you? Victoria House as it was then.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11All that remains now is for Malcolm
0:36:11 > 0:36:13to bandage her leg for extra protection.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20Dorothy...I need you to hold your leg up.
0:36:20 > 0:36:25Oh! Not quite that hard. That's it, just for a moment, all right.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33Done a few bandages yourself, in the past, have you? Yes.
0:36:33 > 0:36:34I'm sure you have.
0:36:36 > 0:36:40Now, I'm afraid this is going to be a little bit warm in this weather.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44But...it will do you good. Just drop it down for a moment.
0:36:44 > 0:36:48Sorry? Keep the veins together. Absolutely, that's what it's for.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51Dorothy will need to see her district nurse in a few days' time
0:36:51 > 0:36:53to check her leg and blood pressure
0:36:53 > 0:36:56but with any luck she should be able to make that holiday
0:36:56 > 0:36:58in Malvern she's been so looking forward to.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01But I'm sure you'll be fine to go away next week, all right?
0:37:01 > 0:37:04It's nice and flattened. Yeah.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06Right...so, I can walk on it a little bit.
0:37:06 > 0:37:10Yeah, you can walk on it. All right. But, just when you're at rest,
0:37:10 > 0:37:13keep it up, OK? Yeah. But don't stop moving around because...
0:37:13 > 0:37:16I won't...
0:37:16 > 0:37:18Thank you very much. OK. Thank you.
0:37:24 > 0:37:2612-year old, Elodie, the schoolgirl who was airlifted
0:37:26 > 0:37:29to hospital after falling off a rock in Dorset
0:37:29 > 0:37:32escaped without any fractures.
0:37:32 > 0:37:37She fell seven feet after climbing with friends on the sandstone boulder.
0:37:37 > 0:37:38I like, kind of landed on my leg,
0:37:38 > 0:37:41so it went like that and then I landed on my butt,
0:37:41 > 0:37:46so I...so for a few seconds I couldn't breathe.
0:37:46 > 0:37:51And... I was like, completely, like, kind of freaked out.
0:37:51 > 0:37:51And let out a wail that I'll never forget,
0:37:51 > 0:37:54And let out a wail that I'll never forget,
0:37:54 > 0:37:58so it was a big wail and then she shouted, "Dad!"
0:37:58 > 0:38:01So I knew from that minute there was something wrong.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03She then, sort of keeled over.
0:38:03 > 0:38:05Elodie was in severe pain after the fall,
0:38:05 > 0:38:08but mum was relieved it was all muscular.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11I think it took about a week to completely get over it.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14And we're keeping an eye on her. But she's pretty good.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17She's up and running around and back at school.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24It was over an hour before all the vehicles involved in the M1 accident
0:38:24 > 0:38:27were finally recovered, and the carriageway cleared.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30After investigations by police, no charges were brought
0:38:30 > 0:38:32against the driver of the lorry.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35He was invited to attend a driver awareness course.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40The driver of the car suffered injuries to his shoulder and knee
0:38:40 > 0:38:42and was in hospital for three days.
0:38:45 > 0:38:49It was five days before fisherman Willie Grafton could set sail again
0:38:49 > 0:38:50on the Silver Spray.
0:38:50 > 0:38:54His boat needed vital repairs after his 11 hour rescue.
0:38:54 > 0:38:58Only then could he safely return to the Isle of Tiree.
0:38:58 > 0:39:03The lifeboat crew that came to his aid had to endure a 30-mile journey
0:39:03 > 0:39:05from their Tobermory base
0:39:05 > 0:39:08in some of the worst conditions they'd ever experienced.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10The way the wind direction was...
0:39:10 > 0:39:13The lifeboat has got to punch into that sea to get to us.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16That's heading head on into the waves, so...
0:39:16 > 0:39:19It won't have been the nicest of journeys for them to get to us.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22Willie recalls the moment when he thought his boat
0:39:22 > 0:39:24and the lives of all on board were at risk.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27As soon as we hit the rocks,
0:39:27 > 0:39:30I started to think, "That's it, the boat's lost."
0:39:30 > 0:39:32In that kind of heavy swell,
0:39:32 > 0:39:35you're only going to hit the bottom so many times
0:39:35 > 0:39:37before you'll break something, burst a plank.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40And the reefs behind, once we went in there,
0:39:40 > 0:39:43there'd be no chance of getting us out.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46I didn't really believe we'd be able to get off from that position.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48But the coxswain showed excellent skill
0:39:48 > 0:39:51being able to come in there in that weather,
0:39:51 > 0:39:56to get that close to us, to those reefs, to throw us the rope.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58But even once they were in safer waters,
0:39:58 > 0:40:01heading back to Tobermory, there was more drama.
0:40:01 > 0:40:06The conditions were so severe, the tow broke for a second time.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09This rope here is what we were using for the bridle.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12It has a break and strain of about 10 or 12 tonne on it.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15That parted on the way over to Mull on the tow-in, so...
0:40:15 > 0:40:18It shows you the kind of strain that was
0:40:18 > 0:40:20being exerted that night between the two boats.
0:40:20 > 0:40:26It was another two hours before they made it back into Tobermory.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29It had been a long day by this point, obviously. We'd left the harbour at six o'clock.
0:40:29 > 0:40:35This was seven, half seven at night, when we arrived in Tobermory.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39It was good relief. Looking forward to a pint and a hot meal.
0:40:39 > 0:40:43Normally a day in February, I think, we're maybe doing
0:40:43 > 0:40:45700 or 800 kilos of crab a day.
0:40:45 > 0:40:50That day we got six kilos on board and maybe managed 10 crabs that day!
0:40:50 > 0:40:54It didn't quite cover the first round anyway!
0:40:54 > 0:40:58The Tobermory lifeboat itself did not escape undamaged.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00This is the exhaust pipe off the back of the boat.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03It stops sea water going up the exhausts. So it is hinged.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06It normally comes out of the way.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08So when it has been on the back, it's been forced up
0:41:08 > 0:41:12and the force of the water has ripped the mounting bracket on it.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14There were other small things on the boat
0:41:14 > 0:41:16which had impact damage just from the sheer force.
0:41:16 > 0:41:20The G forces that are coming with hitting down onto these waves,
0:41:20 > 0:41:23was tremendous. The boat coped well.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26Nothing was broken that stopped us from operating.
0:41:26 > 0:41:31Willie has nothing but gratitude for the RNLI volunteers
0:41:31 > 0:41:36and for the local people who came to his aid that stormy Sunday in January.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38I would like to say a very public thank you.
0:41:38 > 0:41:39It was a very great service.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42We certainly would have been stuck without you that night.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45And very, very definitely wouldn't have had a boat
0:41:45 > 0:41:47if you haven't been there to save us.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50So I'd like to say thanks to the people of Tobermory
0:41:50 > 0:41:52who obviously helped us as well once we got ashore.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55We were five days in Tobermory without a pair of socks
0:41:55 > 0:41:58or a clean pair of pants between the three of us, so...
0:41:58 > 0:42:01We were certainly looked after.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04For fishermen, the occasional call for help goes with the territory.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07But Willie's record is pretty good.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10There's always a bit of embarrassment about getting towed in.
0:42:10 > 0:42:14That was the first time since 2001, I think.
0:42:14 > 0:42:172001 was the last time I got towed in by Tobermory lifeboat.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19So... a 12-year break's not too bad!
0:42:19 > 0:42:21LAUGHTER
0:42:24 > 0:42:27Difficult to imagine anywhere more remote or difficult to get to
0:42:27 > 0:42:30for the emergency services than the Inner Hebrides.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33Other than the Outer Hebrides, of course.
0:42:33 > 0:42:34Right, I'm off to revise some geography.
0:42:34 > 0:42:36See you next time on Real Rescues.
0:42:44 > 0:42:48Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd