0:00:00 > 0:00:02Today on Real Rescues...
0:00:02 > 0:00:07A huge wildfire tears through the ancient heathlands of Ashdown Forest.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09It's definitely coming this way!
0:00:09 > 0:00:12People and buildings are in its path.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16Closest property to fire is Heather Cottage.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20The fire front is moving in the direction of that property.
0:00:20 > 0:00:25The RNLI lifeboat heads out to rescue two kayakers
0:00:25 > 0:00:27in danger of freezing off the Welsh coast.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35And a four-year-old dials 999 after Mum collapses.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05Hello and welcome to Real Rescues.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09Extreme weather always puts pressure on the emergency services.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13The tinder-dry summer often leads to an outbreak of grass and forest fires
0:01:13 > 0:01:15and they can be some of the toughest to fight.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18When a small fire begins in the ancient Ashdown Forest,
0:01:18 > 0:01:21incidentally fictional home of Winnie the Pooh's 100 Aker Wood,
0:01:21 > 0:01:24conditions could not have been more challenging.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28There's no water on site, there are strong winds and high summer temperatures.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30And if they don't get it under control,
0:01:30 > 0:01:33it could overrun nearby homes and businesses.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39A wildfire is tearing through gorse in the forest.
0:01:39 > 0:01:44It started early afternoon. Two hours later, 60 acres are alight.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48100 fire-fighters are on the scene,
0:01:48 > 0:01:5316 appliances, two water carriers and six off-road vehicles.
0:01:53 > 0:01:58The only way to keep track of the flames is from the police helicopter overhead.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01On board, fire-fighter, Matt Hitam.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04How far would we say that fire's off those properties? 200 metres?
0:02:04 > 0:02:08It's up to him to give the first warning of where the fire is heading.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13'Closest property to fire is Heather Cottage.
0:02:13 > 0:02:18'The fire front is moving in the direction of that property.'
0:02:18 > 0:02:21At one of the properties, the headquarters of Cats Protection,
0:02:21 > 0:02:25a worried member of staff catches the fire on his mobile phone.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28It's definitely coming this way.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31'When we got up close,'
0:02:31 > 0:02:34we could see that it was out of control.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36It was moving very quickly by that time.
0:02:38 > 0:02:43With fire crews from neighbouring West Sussex and Kent now on the ground,
0:02:43 > 0:02:48control of the operation moves to Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Gary Ferrand.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53When I arrived at the scene, we had a fire which seemed to be getting out of hand.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55If that wind changed direction again,
0:02:55 > 0:02:57the fire gets away from us,
0:02:57 > 0:03:00then people are in hazardous situations.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04Buildings are in the line of fire, so to speak.
0:03:04 > 0:03:09From the air, fire-fighter Matt has to keep across each fire front,
0:03:09 > 0:03:12directing resources, trying to contain it.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16Fortunately, it was mainly gorse, very thick.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20Gorse particularly does burn quite ferociously.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23The conditions were absolutely perfect for this fire.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25It was almost a perfect storm.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30The fire-fighters are manning the bridleways, natural fire breaks,
0:03:30 > 0:03:32and tackling the flames in sections.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35They have to prevent the fire leaping the breaks.
0:03:35 > 0:03:41But they need huge amounts of water and there's no natural supply.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45It all has to be brought in on vehicles and stored in a large plastic dam.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50They also have a limited supply of foam,
0:03:50 > 0:03:53but most of the flames are going to have to be beaten out by hand.
0:03:55 > 0:04:00With the changing winds, this is a dangerous and unpredictable environment for fire-fighters.
0:04:00 > 0:04:05Normally, your first indication, rather than sight, is actually hearing it.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09It does make quite a loud sound
0:04:09 > 0:04:12and when you can hear it coming towards you,
0:04:12 > 0:04:14then that's the time we start getting ourselves prepared
0:04:14 > 0:04:17and making sure everyone's in the right place.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21They're losing the battle to stop the flames at the bridleways.
0:04:21 > 0:04:27In the helicopter, Matt has to alert fire chiefs. They are now in danger as well.
0:04:27 > 0:04:32'There is a third section travelling back towards command unit.'
0:04:32 > 0:04:38At the same time, another firewall is being pushed by the wind at speed towards the charity HQ.
0:04:38 > 0:04:43Sheltering inside, members of staff and many animals.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47The wind had changed. The fire front had moved.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51And it was moving quite rapidly towards the Cats' Protection League.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55It was moving faster than a walking pace and it was a large fire front.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58'To Command Support, over. Go ahead.
0:04:58 > 0:05:05'Gary, the fire nearest to the property, fire starting to break through standing timber.
0:05:05 > 0:05:10'Suggest deploy as many resources as possible down to that end.'
0:05:10 > 0:05:13A period of time went on. I could feel the wind had changed.
0:05:13 > 0:05:19So then I became concerned that it could have been here within about 20 minutes.
0:05:19 > 0:05:24Our focus of attention was to protect that building and those occupants.
0:05:24 > 0:05:29We did that by moving in from the fire where it had already burnt
0:05:29 > 0:05:31so we were coming at it from behind.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35And moving ahead of it from the Cats' Protection League
0:05:35 > 0:05:37towards the fire front.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39So we tackled it from two directions.
0:05:43 > 0:05:44With temperatures already in the high 20s,
0:05:44 > 0:05:46it's gruelling work.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51Wild fire-fighting is probably one of the most arduous jobs that we do.
0:05:51 > 0:05:56Because of the equipment we have to wear, our fire kit.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00Normally, if it's wild fire it means the weather conditions are hot.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04And length of time we're normally there for. Hours.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08The temperature of the day was probably the hottest day of the year.
0:06:08 > 0:06:13And coupled with the hot fire situation, we end up potentially with fatigue,
0:06:13 > 0:06:16fire-fighters that need to be changed around rapidly.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20That stuff in the western corner seems to be pretty much fading out.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22No flames. OK.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24I think it has stopped it.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28After several hours of trying to contain the fire,
0:06:28 > 0:06:30there's finally some good news.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32The wind starts to drop off.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34There is that tipping point in the incident
0:06:34 > 0:06:39where things can either get away from you, and you realise you've lost the fire,
0:06:39 > 0:06:41and the other side of that is where you're on top of the fire,
0:06:41 > 0:06:43you're controlling it and extinguishing it.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45That came about four hours into the incident.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52The fire has been stopped just short of the buildings.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55In the end, it was a couple of hundred metres.
0:06:55 > 0:07:00But considering the distance and speed that this fire travelled up until that point,
0:07:00 > 0:07:04it could have done 200 metres in a matter of minutes.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06I wouldn't have wanted it any closer than that.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09All in all, 60 acres of heathland had been burned.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15This was a large fire, and we did put a lot of resources to it. But in the big scheme of things,
0:07:15 > 0:07:19the damage that was caused to the Ashdown Forest was actually quite minimal.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22So the crews were very delighted with the outcome.
0:07:22 > 0:07:27Fire-fighters will work on into the night to make sure the flames don't re-ignite.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31Most of the forest has survived
0:07:31 > 0:07:33and the local residents remain unaffected.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37The cats had no idea that there was anything going on at all
0:07:37 > 0:07:40because they were safe in the adoption centre.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42So they remained completely stress-free.
0:07:57 > 0:07:587.00pm, Llandudno.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02The Holyhead Coastguard have received a 999 call
0:08:02 > 0:08:04and the inshore lifeboat has been launched.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11The weather has taken a turn for the worse,
0:08:11 > 0:08:14and two young men in kayaks are in danger.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30The two have been kayaking in Penrhyn Bay
0:08:30 > 0:08:36but they're now out of their boats and drifting in the offshore current out to sea.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Waves are reaching four foot out of the bay.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55As soon as we came round the corner, we spotted two persons in the water.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01They head towards a man treading water next to an upturned kayak.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03But he waves them on.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10The second man in the water is clinging desperately to another kayak.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12They've been in the water for 30 minutes.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15He was just really clinging on.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18He was struggling to hold on.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21He'd been in the water for a long period of time.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24We're at the casualties now. We've got visuals on three people now.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26We're lifting them out of the water.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29OK, mate.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34With one casualty safe,
0:09:34 > 0:09:37they head back to the first man, Chad,
0:09:37 > 0:09:38and pull him aboard.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42Chad seems OK at first, but he's been through quite an ordeal.
0:09:42 > 0:09:47The friend he'd been teaching to kayak was capsized by a large wave
0:09:47 > 0:09:48and unable to free himself.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53The thing with capsizing, as scary as it can be,
0:09:53 > 0:09:55you have to let yourself fall out of the boat
0:09:55 > 0:09:58which involves lying upside-down and letting your legs fall out.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00It's the only safe way to do so.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03His first reaction was to try and get his head up above the water.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06By doing so, his legs were still caught up in the kayak.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08He was on his back, trying to get his head up over the water.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12The waves kept coming over his head, so he was gasping for air.
0:10:12 > 0:10:18It was an attempt to save his friend that ended up with both men in danger in the water.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21He had hold of my boat. He was panicking by this point
0:10:21 > 0:10:23which was making mine quite unstable.
0:10:24 > 0:10:29Next came what was a mistake on my behalf, I think.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31Chad jumped out of his own kayak into the sea.
0:10:31 > 0:10:36But his plan to pull both kayaks together into a make-shift raft didn't work.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39As soon as I jumped out, grabbed his, turned around,
0:10:39 > 0:10:43I couldn't see him any more. He'd drifted really far, really quickly.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45Clinging to Chad's abandoned kayak,
0:10:45 > 0:10:49his friend is taken by strong currents into deeper and colder waters.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55Thankfully, Chad's parents had witnessed it all.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59His mum raised the alarm as Dad paddled out to reach the stricken friend.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02I got him on the front of the canoe,
0:11:02 > 0:11:05on a rope, and I was starting to row him back in.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07Then the coastguard appeared.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11I heard the engine of the lifeboat coming round
0:11:11 > 0:11:13which is one of the nicest noises I've heard in a long time!
0:11:13 > 0:11:17As soon as the boat came to me, I knew I was OK for a bit longer.
0:11:17 > 0:11:22He's out of the water, but still in danger of hypothermia.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25Chad is feeling the effects of the cold sea.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30The adrenaline had taken over everything and the panic and the worry of the situation.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33As soon as I was pulled into the boat, the cold really hit me.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37'They'd been in the water for up to half an hour.'
0:11:37 > 0:11:39They were starting to get into the hypothermia stages.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43One of the lads, after two or three minutes, started really shaking.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45'He didn't really talk much.'
0:11:45 > 0:11:46Are you all right?
0:11:46 > 0:11:49And when they reached the shore, Chad can barely stand.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52'I stood up and my legs just seized.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55'I realised I'd gone very, very cold very quickly.'
0:11:55 > 0:11:57I couldn't move. They'd completely seized up.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59He's shivering a hell of a lot.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02'As we got to the beach, he'd become so cold and shaking'
0:12:02 > 0:12:04he couldn't walk, couldn't move.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08He managed to stand himself up at which point I decided to pick him up and carry him onto the beach.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12He was then taken off in an ambulance and he was checked over.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15I think he had mild hypothermia.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17He and his friend made a full recovery.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19He hasn't been put off kayaking,
0:12:19 > 0:12:23but he does have a new respect for the sea.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26To see how powerful the current is off-shore,
0:12:26 > 0:12:28and how fast it dragged him,
0:12:28 > 0:12:32it's given me a new-found respect for the dangers out there.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35It was definitely a lesson.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43Just taken Jack away from -
0:12:43 > 0:12:45well, you start your shift in how long?
0:12:45 > 0:12:48About 20 minutes. So we've got a chance to chat beforehand.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52And he's able to answer the age-old argument, certainly between me and my wife,
0:12:52 > 0:12:56about whether you should park a car in gear or not. Tell us about this call.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58As long as you keep your handbrake on, we're happy.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01I got a 999 call from quite a distressed husband.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04His wife had called him up and said, "My car's gone missing."
0:13:04 > 0:13:09She'd gone to her son's house to do some washing up and do his washing and so on... As they do with sons!
0:13:09 > 0:13:14Absolutely. And she's gone outside after ten minutes and her car's not on the drive any more.
0:13:14 > 0:13:19So she called her husband and he called us and said, "My wife's car has been stolen."
0:13:19 > 0:13:23Because it's in the last ten minutes, during that sort of time period,
0:13:23 > 0:13:25we've got a really good chance of catching whoever's taken it.
0:13:25 > 0:13:30We've got a lot of units in the area, sent up the number plates, all the information systems
0:13:30 > 0:13:32to find out where it is.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36A load of cars started the area search. They've all got the number plate and car description.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39Couldn't find it at all. Had a big net on it. Couldn't find it.
0:13:39 > 0:13:44So one of the officers said he'd go to see the female whose car it is and take a statement and do the process.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48As he's on the way up to where she was, he passed a car a bit further down the road
0:13:48 > 0:13:51and he checked the number plate and it was the same.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55And she'd basically left the handbrake off and it had gently rolled down the road about 500 yards
0:13:55 > 0:14:00and come to a stop without hitting anything. It could have wrecked anything along the way! Yes.
0:14:00 > 0:14:05It re-parked itself. Yes, just down the road. Fancied a better parking space to where it was!
0:14:05 > 0:14:08So the general idea is, if you leave your car in gear when you switch off,
0:14:08 > 0:14:11like put the handbrake on, in case the handbrake fails as well,
0:14:11 > 0:14:15leave the car in gear and it's never going to roll away. That's all I've ever said.
0:14:15 > 0:14:20That's right, isn't it? Absolutely. I don't want to get between you and your wife! But yes!
0:14:20 > 0:14:22Fair enough. Thanks very much, Jack!
0:14:33 > 0:14:37Five-four-papa-one in attendance. Five-four-papa-one. Over.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41Saturday night, and Southampton's Green Watch are on their way to help a young woman
0:14:41 > 0:14:46whose night out with friends has taken an unexpected turn.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51Incident commander Gav Hackney is immediately brought up to speed
0:14:51 > 0:14:53by one of the paramedic team.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56We want to get her out with a spinal board, so if you guys could take the roof off.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58What damage is there to the sides?
0:14:58 > 0:15:02Front-seat passenger Amber has taken the brunt of the impact,
0:15:02 > 0:15:05the other car smashing into her car door.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11I'll show you what we've got, mate, if you run in a cordon. Yeah. Happy with that?
0:15:11 > 0:15:15One female, C-spine injuries.
0:15:15 > 0:15:16Roof off. Take her out on a board.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20'Side impacts can be very bad, especially at high speed.'
0:15:20 > 0:15:23At the front you've got the engine to protect you and the bonnet,
0:15:23 > 0:15:26whereas side doors, you only have the doors.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28They can cause a lot of damage and create a lot of problems
0:15:28 > 0:15:31for extricating the casualty.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34Amber's three friends have walked away unscathed
0:15:34 > 0:15:38but she is unable to move, due to severe neck pain.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41We're concerned about her C-spine
0:15:41 > 0:15:43and so as a precaution, the paramedic wants to take the roof off
0:15:43 > 0:15:46and take her out on a board.
0:15:46 > 0:15:51The fire crew act quickly as they prepare to cut away the roof
0:15:51 > 0:15:55so Amber can be freed without exacerbating any of her injuries.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59Working round the car, now. Going through the processes that we have to go through.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01Removing the glass, removing the trims.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04Cutting all the bits we need to before we can remove the roof.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13Make sure everyone's got goggles down, dust masks.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21Now the windscreen is split in two,
0:16:21 > 0:16:25the crew can concentrate on cutting the car's pillars.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29Amber is quite distressed. Obviously it's a stressing situation to be in.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31They'd all been out and had a good evening
0:16:31 > 0:16:32and had been having fun.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35And then for something like that to happen on the way home,
0:16:35 > 0:16:38can cause quite a lot of distress.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42Especially when all your friends are out of the vehicle and you're trapped in there
0:16:42 > 0:16:43with possible injuries.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45The accident happened at a crossroads.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49Amber's car was turning right, into the path of the other car.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55In no time at all, the roof is lifted away
0:16:55 > 0:16:58and the paramedics can prepare to remove Amber from the wreck.
0:17:00 > 0:17:01Just liaise with the lead paramedic
0:17:01 > 0:17:03and see how he wants to get her out.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07A well-rehearsed operation swings into action.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13Amber's spine must be kept straight at all times
0:17:13 > 0:17:17so many hands are needed to slide her up onto the spinal board safely.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27Ready, steady, slide.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36Amber is now free to be taken to the ambulance
0:17:36 > 0:17:37and then transferred to A&E,
0:17:37 > 0:17:40where her injuries can be more thoroughly examined.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46It's taken the fire and ambulance crews less than half an hour
0:17:46 > 0:17:48to get her out.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52It went very well from the time of us receiving the call to the lady being in the ambulance was 27 minutes.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56She's going to go off to hospital now for some checks and treatment.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59But she's looking relatively good.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02We'll be finding out later how Amber is getting on.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Coming up on Real Rescues:
0:18:10 > 0:18:13a helpful dad falls from a ladder
0:18:13 > 0:18:16but needs convincing he now needs help himself.
0:18:16 > 0:18:21If you want my advice, it's lay still and let me pop a collar on you.
0:18:21 > 0:18:22And we'll take you to hospital on a board.
0:18:24 > 0:18:25No!
0:18:25 > 0:18:28Traffic control, MK style.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30An accident at Milton Keynes' busiest junction
0:18:30 > 0:18:32where 12 lanes meet.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35I said stop! You stay there.
0:18:35 > 0:18:36Just you. Just you.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46The control room at East Midlands Ambulance Service.
0:18:46 > 0:18:52A 999 call has come in to Emergency Medical Despatcher Suman L'Farnsworth.
0:18:52 > 0:18:57Her priority is to find out exactly where the caller is.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00But that's not so easy when the caller is a small child.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47Suman is unsure quite what to make of this call.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50'My first initial reaction
0:19:50 > 0:19:55'was "Oh, he's probably doing a test call to the 999 service."
0:19:55 > 0:20:02Cos a lot of children do ring in and say, "The teacher taught us how to make an emergency call at school."
0:20:02 > 0:20:06So I thought he was ringing to say, "Mummy, I've done this call."
0:20:06 > 0:20:12And Mummy would come on the line and say, "Thank you for listening to him. It's a test call."
0:20:12 > 0:20:14But I didn't hear Mum at all in the background.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18So I was convinced it was a very genuine call.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41He was very quiet, and yet very calm.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43Not hysterical at all.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47So I had to really put my headset really close to my ear
0:20:47 > 0:20:49to make sure I didn't miss anything.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53At the other end of the phone, a little boy is doing exactly as he's been taught
0:20:53 > 0:20:55when his mother falls ill.
0:20:55 > 0:21:00He's the only one in the house who can give Suman the information she needs.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34That was really funny to me
0:21:34 > 0:21:37but obviously I didn't want to laugh over the phone so he could hear me.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40I just put down "unknown age" for that one.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58With the ambulance en-route, Suman wants to try and narrow down what might be wrong
0:21:58 > 0:21:59with Tristan's mum.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26The answers to the questions were amazing.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29He was listening to everything I was saying.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32He was doing what I was telling him to do.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36I was trying to picture the scene. I wanted to put my arm through the telephone
0:22:36 > 0:22:40and give him a hug and say, "It's going to be all right. I'm here to help you."
0:22:40 > 0:22:43And give him all that reassurance so he doesn't put the phone down on me.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47But just when Suman thinks the situation is under control,
0:22:47 > 0:22:49there's another surprise.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Back at the house, baby sister is now settled.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24The call handler Suman knows Tristan's responsibilities are not over yet.
0:23:47 > 0:23:52Seven minutes after making the call, help has arrived. Tristan is ready at the door.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09The paramedics who arrive are aware of Tristan's mum's condition,
0:24:09 > 0:24:13which is similar to epilepsy and causes unconsciousness.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17Suman is free to move on to the next call
0:24:17 > 0:24:19but she won't forget this one in a hurry.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22He knew what he was doing.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24He knew that he was in charge
0:24:24 > 0:24:28and he made sure that he got that help for his mum.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31I was so proud of him. Absolutely. So proud of him.
0:24:39 > 0:24:44Quite often, you'll hear examples of people who've gone to help others in difficulty
0:24:44 > 0:24:46and got into trouble themselves.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49Rob, you have experience of this yourself.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53Yes, this lady phoned up once and reported her son missing.
0:24:53 > 0:24:58He'd go for walks in the evening to relax and he hadn't come back.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01And there'd been a lot of flooding. It was when there were lots of floods.
0:25:01 > 0:25:06His father had gone out to look for him and had heard a cry for help
0:25:06 > 0:25:09so he phoned his wife to say, "I think I've found him."
0:25:09 > 0:25:12While he tried to help him, he got stranded in the river as well,
0:25:12 > 0:25:16so they were both... So two people stranded. Yes. In the river.
0:25:16 > 0:25:21Luckily he'd phoned his wife who phoned us and we got fire brigade, ambulance, helicopter to locate them.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24And the fire brigade did a river rescue to save them both.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27You hear this quite a lot.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31People, for example, going into the sea to help someone, and getting into difficulty as well.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33People going out onto the ice to help someone.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35So what's the advice? What's best advice?
0:25:35 > 0:25:38If you know you can help them safely, I think you should try,
0:25:38 > 0:25:41but if not, leave it to the professionals. They're never far away.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44Ring 999. We aim to get with you within a few minutes, as quick as we can.
0:25:44 > 0:25:49Don't put yourself in danger, that's my advice. Thank you very much. No worries.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58Mid-morning in Southampton.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02Emergency care practitioner Andy Rudge has just received an emergency call-out.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04There's not much information to go on.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08We're now off to a gentleman that's fallen off a ladder.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11It just says "long fall".
0:26:12 > 0:26:14We don't know what caused the fall.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18Did something happen? Did he feel unwell? Chest pains? Headache?
0:26:18 > 0:26:20Or did he just slip off one of the rungs?
0:26:23 > 0:26:26Turning into the drive, Andy is looking out for any clues
0:26:26 > 0:26:28as to what kind of accident this is.
0:26:36 > 0:26:37Hello. Hello.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39Is he inside or outside?
0:26:42 > 0:26:44Lisa is the owner of the bungalow.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46It's her father who has fallen from the ladder.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48Hello. My name's Andy. I'm a paramedic.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52I'm all right. You're talking. That's a good sign.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54Tell me the story of what happened.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58I had the ladder up. I was going to put another one up and tie it
0:26:58 > 0:27:01and it slipped away and the whole lot came down.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04I landed up against that and down here.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06How many rungs were you up?
0:27:06 > 0:27:10I was up the full half ladder.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12Then up about four on the other one.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14About ten foot. Something like that.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16Any pain anywhere? Not now, no.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Not now? I'm ready to get up.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21I'd rather you didn't at the moment.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24Any pins or needles in your arms or legs? No. Fine.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26And you remember everything? Yeah.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29Did you slip off the... I'm going to hold your head while we talk
0:27:29 > 0:27:32Did you slip off the ladder or did you feel unwell?
0:27:32 > 0:27:35No, I was all right. I've only been doing it for about 60 years!
0:27:41 > 0:27:43He was trying to fit an air vent.
0:27:43 > 0:27:48He seemed in good spirits, but ten feet is quite a fall.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50This is where you've landed. He hasn't moved anywhere?
0:27:50 > 0:27:52No, she wouldn't let me!
0:27:52 > 0:27:54She's done the right thing.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56The man is a reluctant patient.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58Andy runs through some checks.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00Those things are always bloody cold.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04Right. I can't see any obvious injury.
0:28:04 > 0:28:09You're chatty, you're not complaining of any pain.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12However, you've had a significant fall.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14Even if you were 20 years old...
0:28:14 > 0:28:17I'm older than that. Don't you worry.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19So what have you learnt, then, about falling?
0:28:19 > 0:28:21Nothing!
0:28:21 > 0:28:25If you want my advice, my advice is lay still, let me pop a collar on you
0:28:25 > 0:28:27and we'll take you to hospital on a board.
0:28:28 > 0:28:29No!
0:28:29 > 0:28:31This patient is going to take some convincing!
0:28:31 > 0:28:35Your daughter will agree. If you think about it, we're right.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38Otherwise she panics. Well. She does!
0:28:38 > 0:28:41Just see what you've let me in for, Lisa.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43Obviously, I'm not here to start a fight! No.
0:28:45 > 0:28:46Already?
0:28:46 > 0:28:49These aren't designed for comfort, I assure you.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53That's the most uncomfortable thing in the world to have round your neck.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55Eventually, he accepts his fate.
0:28:58 > 0:29:00An ambulance crew has arrived.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04They back up Andy when the patient tries once more to get out of going to hospital.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09What would you prefer? Not to go or to be paralysed?
0:29:09 > 0:29:13Doesn't matter how you feel. You can't see injuries that are internal.
0:29:13 > 0:29:14I'll get the board. Excellent.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17We need to be safe, right? OK, mate. You're doing your job.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27With a bit of team-work, he's soon scooped up.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30He's landed against the fence, so he's come off, bounced off the fence
0:29:30 > 0:29:32and hit the ground. Pinballed!
0:29:34 > 0:29:37Yeah, the only discomfort now is the collar!
0:29:37 > 0:29:39I'll give you something in the back.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43Don't worry about it. I'll see you when I get there.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46Lisa's dad is still a bit fed up about being sent to hospital.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49But the ambulance crew know they've done the right thing.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52If we were to move him and there was anything wrong,
0:29:52 > 0:29:54how would we feel? How would he live the rest of his life?
0:29:54 > 0:29:59If they do find something, then he's in the right place and we've treated him the right way.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02Right. Thank you very much. No worries. Take care.
0:30:02 > 0:30:03Thank you.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05Straight off, Andy's on another call-out.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08He's already wondering what he'll be dealing with.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12It's a 76-year-old female who's unresponsive.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15Could be a cardiac event, something with the heart.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17Could even be she's having a sleep!
0:30:18 > 0:30:23And those calls will keep on coming in until Andy finishes his shift 12 hours later.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35It's rush hour in the middle of Milton Keynes.
0:30:35 > 0:30:40One-zero-cinema-republic. Informed of a decision Grafton Gate.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42Show us making to that, please.
0:30:42 > 0:30:46PCs Matt Walters and Dan Smith are en-route to a collision
0:30:46 > 0:30:49at the biggest junction in town.
0:30:49 > 0:30:50Two vehicles have had a collision.
0:30:50 > 0:30:55Possible injury. As you can see, there's a vehicle blocking the road.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57You're clear, left, mate. Clear left.
0:30:57 > 0:30:58Hello?
0:30:58 > 0:31:0312 lanes meet here, so any accident causes instant chaos.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06Matt needs to find out what's happened, and quickly.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09I'll just see if there's anyone injured, first.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11Is everyone OK?
0:31:11 > 0:31:13Yeah. Who's the driver of this one?
0:31:13 > 0:31:14You? And who's the driver of this one?
0:31:14 > 0:31:17What happened? You were going straight on.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19And you've turned in front of him. OK.
0:31:19 > 0:31:24You're meant to give way to the traffic coming towards you. All right. Never mind.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28Given the state of the two cars, it's lucky there aren't any more serious injuries.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33Hello. Is this chap likely to go to hospital? No, no. He's not.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37Shall we just clear the road, then? Get their details and get going.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40But it's not quite that straightforward.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44ENGINE SPLUTTERS
0:31:45 > 0:31:47It's not looking good!
0:31:49 > 0:31:51It's not going to work, is it?
0:31:51 > 0:31:54Car won't start, so we'll have to get immediate recovery for it.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57Won't start, Dan.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59At least the other car is in better shape.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01I'm just going to try and move the car.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07Well, it is on one side.
0:32:07 > 0:32:08It's rear-wheel drive, as well, isn't it?
0:32:08 > 0:32:14Neither car is going anywhere, so PC Walters needs to organise recovery as quick as possible.
0:32:14 > 0:32:19We're going to get the cars recovered, OK? This is a busy junction. Someone will get run over.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22But the BMW driver wants to bring in his own recovery.
0:32:23 > 0:32:27It's going to need lifting, though, isn't it? The back wheel's off.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29He's got the winch.
0:32:32 > 0:32:33He's got a winch.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36Matt isn't confident it'll be up to the job.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39They've actually got recovery coming out for themselves.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43However, I'm not sure what kind of recovery truck is going to arrive.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46so it may be that we still have to try and recover both vehicles ourselves.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49Just wait and see. I've seen some recovery vehicles before!
0:32:49 > 0:32:52It turns out to be their mate's car!
0:32:52 > 0:32:54So especially with the wheel that's fallen off the back,
0:32:54 > 0:32:56we'll wait and see what happens.
0:32:58 > 0:33:02They're about to find out, as both recovery trucks appear together.
0:33:02 > 0:33:06How are we going to do it? Just close the whole lot? It's going to be tricky, isn't it?
0:33:06 > 0:33:10Having now seen the truck, Matt is convinced this isn't going to work.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15He's going to try and drag that? It's got minus one wheel!
0:33:15 > 0:33:17I can't see how they'll do it.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19Impossible. Impossible. Yeah?
0:33:19 > 0:33:22Rear wheel's missing! OK.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26So you'll have to go to CMG and collect the car from there.
0:33:26 > 0:33:27OK? Fine. Yeah.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31Now it's just the small matter of stopping 12 lanes of traffic!
0:33:33 > 0:33:34I said stop!
0:33:34 > 0:33:37Right. You stay there.
0:33:37 > 0:33:44Whilst Dan tries to convince the other driver his car has to be recovered by this truck.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47He's taking your car. No, he's taking mine. No, he's not.
0:33:47 > 0:33:48Why? He is.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51INDISTINCT
0:33:55 > 0:33:58The BMW driver isn't happy.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00He's worrying about the costs of storing his car.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04INDISTINCT
0:34:06 > 0:34:08He can collect today?
0:34:08 > 0:34:10We have to think of the public now.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12He's getting nowhere with PC Smith.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14But these guys won't give up!
0:34:14 > 0:34:16Right, listen, OK?
0:34:16 > 0:34:20Come and sit down. It's not going to happen because your wheel's missing.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22So they're going to recover it. They're going to recover it.
0:34:22 > 0:34:26It'll be down to your insurance company. Let me finish! Let me finish.
0:34:26 > 0:34:30It's going to be recovered. We're recovering it. Are you going to listen me or walk away?
0:34:30 > 0:34:31OK.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35The man isn't happy, but the police are not easily swayed.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38It's on with traffic control, and with 12 lanes to deal with,
0:34:38 > 0:34:41nothing but the clearest instructions will do.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43Just you. Just you. Just you.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45Watch your back!
0:34:45 > 0:34:47Oh, dear!
0:34:47 > 0:34:50With the road finally clear and all arguments settled,
0:34:50 > 0:34:52both cars can be recovered.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58Milton Keynes' busiest junction can get moving again!
0:35:09 > 0:35:13Monday morning rush hour on one of the major motorways along the south coast.
0:35:14 > 0:35:21It's a motorcyclist that's apparently still in the outside lane, third lane.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24Emergency care practitioner David Walton
0:35:24 > 0:35:26is on patrol closest to the accident.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29On the floor, lying on his back.
0:35:29 > 0:35:30Motorbike.
0:35:33 > 0:35:37Smashed up. Let's get out there and have a little look.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42The motorbike appears to have collided with the central reservation
0:35:42 > 0:35:45and then hit the car travelling ahead.
0:35:45 > 0:35:50Your bike's just there. Did you come off the bike or roll with the bike, or what?
0:35:57 > 0:35:59You stayed with the bike. OK.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01What made you come off the bike?
0:36:01 > 0:36:03INDISTINCT
0:36:03 > 0:36:05Can this come off?
0:36:05 > 0:36:08It's not the easiest of places to have a conversation.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10Have you got any pains anywhere?
0:36:10 > 0:36:12MUFFLED ANSWER
0:36:12 > 0:36:14Sorry?
0:36:14 > 0:36:16MUFFLED/INDISTINCT
0:36:18 > 0:36:20I can't hear you. Sorry.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22Both wrists hurt. Both wrists hurt? Yeah.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24No pains in your stomach? No.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26Chest? No. Legs?
0:36:29 > 0:36:30I'll have a quick look at you, all right?
0:36:30 > 0:36:34David gives the man a full head-to-toe check.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36Deep breath. No pain? No.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38No pain? No.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40Any pain? No.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43No pain? No.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46Shoulder. No. Elbow. No.
0:36:46 > 0:36:47Bend.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50Lift up. Good.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54Make a fist. Is it still your wrists that's hurting?
0:36:54 > 0:36:56Yes. Both?
0:36:56 > 0:36:57INDISTINCT
0:36:57 > 0:37:01The only real problems seem to be painful wrists and something a bit more urgent!
0:37:01 > 0:37:03Any pain?
0:37:05 > 0:37:07You need a wee? Don't have a wee!
0:37:07 > 0:37:10With this sort of impact, paramedics are trained to treat for the worst
0:37:10 > 0:37:12before they know otherwise.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16David needs back-up to get the motorcyclist off the road.
0:37:16 > 0:37:18Ambulance, over?
0:37:18 > 0:37:21'Crew are on the way. They're showing four minutes.'
0:37:22 > 0:37:26Understood. ETA four minutes.
0:37:26 > 0:37:31He's lying on the floor. I don't want to move him. He's got no neck pain.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34But I'd rather the ambulance get here and we can get him into the warm.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42Understood. Thank you.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46David can't do any spinal checks until he can remove the man's helmet.
0:37:47 > 0:37:51I won't be able to take it off until my colleagues get here. All right?
0:37:51 > 0:37:54You will hear them going past.
0:37:54 > 0:37:55There they go.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01That was my ambulance.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10David briefs the ambulance crew.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13Everything seems to be fine. I'm sure there's not a lot of injury,
0:38:13 > 0:38:15but I haven't been able to check a lot.
0:38:15 > 0:38:20Now they can get the biker off the cold, wet road as quickly and safely as possible.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22But their patient is getting worried.
0:38:25 > 0:38:26You're not that light?
0:38:26 > 0:38:29But as they start to fit the scoop to lift the man up,
0:38:29 > 0:38:31it's not his weight the crew are worried about.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33We're not going to be able to do this.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36With his helmet on, he's too tall.
0:38:36 > 0:38:37We'll have to take the helmet off.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40Helmets like this are designed to be a snug fit.
0:38:40 > 0:38:45So getting them off flat on the floor whilst keeping the head absolutely still
0:38:45 > 0:38:47is not an easy task.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49David holds the man's chin
0:38:49 > 0:38:52whilst paramedic Rosie Salt eases the helmet off.
0:38:52 > 0:38:56Get his nose off. That's it.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01At last their patient can make himself heard.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04We'll do this as quickly as possible, all right?
0:39:04 > 0:39:06Get you nice and warm in a minute, OK?
0:39:06 > 0:39:10We'll try and keep your clothes off the back of your neck, OK, mate?
0:39:13 > 0:39:15Some extra hands are needed for the next move.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18Everybody ready?
0:39:18 > 0:39:20One, two, three, roll.
0:39:23 > 0:39:24One, two, three, roll.
0:39:26 > 0:39:27Roll.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30One, two, three, lower.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32With the scoop board now fitted,
0:39:32 > 0:39:35it's a three-person job to now get the man onto the stretcher.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56In the ambulance, the biker is given another thorough checkover.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59How about your knee? It's my right shoe.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03My right shoe. You might have grazed it.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06OK? I'm fine, thank you very much. That's great.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10The motorcyclist will be heading off to hospital for a thorough check-up.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15David's work is done here. He signs on with control
0:40:15 > 0:40:17ready for the next job.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27The motorcyclist was later x-rayed in hospital
0:40:27 > 0:40:30and was found to have suffered a fractured wrist.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35Car passenger Amber, who had to be cut out of a friend's car
0:40:35 > 0:40:37after a city centre collision
0:40:37 > 0:40:40suffered a cracked rib and severe internal bruising.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44The owner of the Ford Focus was not at fault.
0:40:44 > 0:40:48The driver of Amber's car was asked to attend a driver awareness course.
0:40:51 > 0:40:56In Lincoln, life is back to normal for four-year-old Tristan and his mum, Clare.
0:40:57 > 0:41:02Tristan dialled 999 after his mum started shaking
0:41:02 > 0:41:03and losing consciousness.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23Clare suffers from non-epileptic attack disorder.
0:41:23 > 0:41:25The paramedics arrived to be greeted by Tristan
0:41:25 > 0:41:27and then led to the front room.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36The situation didn't faze him whatsoever.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38He knew exactly what to do.
0:41:38 > 0:41:42He kept me entertained while my colleague assessed Clare.
0:41:42 > 0:41:47He was telling me all about his school and all about his little sister,
0:41:47 > 0:41:51who he also looked after while Mum was having this episode.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56Tristan's mum, Clare, did not go to hospital.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59The ambulance crew stayed with her until the attack subsided.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02She still can't believe he acted so promptly.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06I told little man, I told Tristan that Mum wasn't feeling very well
0:42:06 > 0:42:11and I was feeling sleepy, which is our key word for him.
0:42:11 > 0:42:15The next thing I know he's sat next to me, arms round me,
0:42:15 > 0:42:18saying, "Give you a hug better, Mummy."
0:42:18 > 0:42:20And that is the last thing I remember.
0:42:20 > 0:42:25As much as we drilled it into him, I never thought that he'd actually get the phone and dial the number.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29As for Tristan, he's not sure what all the fuss is about!
0:42:29 > 0:42:33'Mummy had a shiver, and I phoned 999.'
0:42:33 > 0:42:37Then the ambulances comed
0:42:37 > 0:42:40then Mumma was better.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50I think something I've realised during the course of this programme
0:42:50 > 0:42:54is the extraordinary amount of danger that our emergency services put themselves in
0:42:54 > 0:42:56on behalf of us and our property.
0:42:56 > 0:43:01Remember, it's only recently that 19 fire-fighters lost their lives in Arizona
0:43:01 > 0:43:03fighting a forest fire.
0:43:03 > 0:43:05It's worth thinking about, isn't it?
0:43:05 > 0:43:07That's it for today's Real Rescues.
0:43:07 > 0:43:09See you next time.
0:43:35 > 0:43:37Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd