0:00:02 > 0:00:04Today on Real Rescues, an air crash.
0:00:04 > 0:00:07A plane has bounced off the roof of a house, crashed through a greenhouse
0:00:07 > 0:00:09and come to rest in a back garden.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11The pilot is seriously injured.
0:00:11 > 0:00:16MOANING
0:00:16 > 0:00:18It's the hydraulic hose.
0:00:18 > 0:00:22And from major to minor, the cat on the hot tile roof.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25Why it's in everyone's interest firefighters turn out
0:00:25 > 0:00:27to rescue cats like Gill.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30Puss, puss.
0:00:30 > 0:00:32Come on.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00Welcome to Real Rescues. This is one of the south-west's control rooms
0:01:00 > 0:01:03where 999 calls come in all the time.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07To my right is the dispatch team, sending out emergency crews.
0:01:07 > 0:01:12To my left are specialists giving out medical advice and sending out doctors.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15It's a busy place, but it's not the only control room here.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19Outside they have a mobile version that goes to major incidents.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22We'll take a look later in the programme.
0:01:22 > 0:01:27Now a story Louise and I found ourselves witnessing first-hand.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30We were in the control room in Hampshire when a call came through
0:01:30 > 0:01:35alerting them to a plane crash, and watching them jump into action was impressive.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38At the other end of the phone, it was a frightening scene.
0:01:41 > 0:01:46A quiet country garden is suddenly the site of a major emergency.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50A small plane has crash-landed, two people are on board
0:01:50 > 0:01:54and doctors are fighting to save the life of the pilot.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00It all started half an hour earlier.
0:02:00 > 0:02:07It was a sunny day like this when pilot Brian Davis offered to fly an old friend out to lunch.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11But on the way home, something went horribly wrong.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15Pam, Pam. Golf, Alpha, Romeo, Hotel, November.
0:02:15 > 0:02:21The engines are running very slowly. I'm looking for somewhere to go down.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25Acknowledged. Are you able to come directly into the field?
0:02:25 > 0:02:28You're currently ten miles east-northeast of the field.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Unable to maintain altitude, madam.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35Crash-landing became the only option.
0:03:30 > 0:03:35This is potentially a catastrophic accident.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37It's an all-services emergency call-out.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41They're all heading for the house on the edge of the New Forest.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45First to raise the alarm was neighbour Sarion Harris.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49She'd been at her kitchen window when the plane hit.
0:03:49 > 0:03:50I saw a plane
0:03:50 > 0:03:54crash into the bush and Pam's greenhouse
0:03:54 > 0:03:57and take it out completely and the noise was unbelievable.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01An almighty bang.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05I couldn't imagine what it was. It was too loud.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09The plane has ploughed through a greenhouse and smashed into the ground.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13The house owner tentatively went to look.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16I couldn't believe that anyone had survived.
0:04:16 > 0:04:23When I looked at the debris, there was turf all over the place.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27It uprooted a tree. It was just general mayhem.
0:04:27 > 0:04:32I ran up to the side and stupidly said, "Are you all right?"
0:04:32 > 0:04:37I heard a groan and then I ran back to the house to get to the phone.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40Neighbour Sarion feared Pam had been in the greenhouse.
0:04:40 > 0:04:45Relieved to see her in one piece, her attention turned to the cockpit.
0:04:45 > 0:04:50I went to the pilot's side. He wasn't in a very good state.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54He had a head injury and quite a lot of blood.
0:04:54 > 0:04:59So I decided to concentrate on the phone call
0:04:59 > 0:05:02and the information the emergency services needed.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07A Critical Care doctor has crawled inside the cockpit.
0:05:07 > 0:05:12He's working in tandem with ambulance technician Emma,
0:05:12 > 0:05:13the first to arrive.
0:05:13 > 0:05:19They're concentrating on the pilot who has been thrown into the plane's windscreen and flying instruments.
0:05:19 > 0:05:20The most obvious injury
0:05:20 > 0:05:27was an eye injury which looked like it was protruding from the socket.
0:05:27 > 0:05:32With a saline dressing, we kept his eyeball where it needed to be
0:05:32 > 0:05:36and we were hoping he wouldn't lose the sight in his eye.
0:05:36 > 0:05:41He had quite a large cut to his lower jaw which was right down to the bone.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45You could see his jaw through it and that was quite a nasty injury.
0:05:45 > 0:05:51There was a smell of fuel leaking and you don't know if there's anything sparking,
0:05:51 > 0:05:55so you're aware you need to deal with it very quickly.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59Somehow, the pilot managed to turn off the electrics.
0:05:59 > 0:06:04The fire crews have already removed the debris of the greenhouse
0:06:04 > 0:06:08but fuel is leaking out of one tank.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10We used cutters, but in the meantime to take control measures
0:06:10 > 0:06:13we've laid down foam
0:06:13 > 0:06:19and we've got somebody stood by in case of any leakage.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22The passenger is already out and on his way to hospital.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25Dr Rob Dawes is working in very cramped conditions
0:06:25 > 0:06:29stabilising the pilot, Brian, who's 74.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32You can imagine a light aircraft coming down into a back garden
0:06:32 > 0:06:36is going to be a huge transfer of energy,
0:06:36 > 0:06:39and their age means the capacity to have serious injuries is more.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44So it's important to go through a prognosis properly.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47The pilot was the most severely injured from his ankle
0:06:47 > 0:06:52and from his right wrist and from his face.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55But it was important to maintain his airway,
0:06:55 > 0:06:59so I had already given him some quite strong painkillers
0:06:59 > 0:07:01to keep him breathing and give him good pain relief.
0:07:01 > 0:07:07But we need to assess him better.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10Could you get some protectors for... Please.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13Rob is crammed in behind Brian.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16Emma works closely with him, passing him anything he needs.
0:07:16 > 0:07:21Because of the job we do, we get to know the paramedics and the technicians very well.
0:07:21 > 0:07:26I've worked with Emma on quite a number of difficult jobs.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29Emma will know exactly what I need, she knows the kit that I use.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33And the injuries I can feed them back to her and she can relay them back.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35So it's a team effort, really.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38Rob and Emma continue to try to stabilise Brian.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41They've many colleagues on hand to help,
0:07:41 > 0:07:46expert trauma specialists all trained to the highest level of care.
0:07:46 > 0:07:51They're giving Brian the best chance of surviving the air crash.
0:07:53 > 0:07:58They won't know the state of his injuries until they get him out and we'll see that later.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02I want to have a chat with paramedic Andy Perris about the calls they get.
0:08:02 > 0:08:07We were talking about calls which you get that are inappropriate.
0:08:07 > 0:08:14I know there's a difference to malicious calls, but what sort of inappropriate calls do you get?
0:08:14 > 0:08:18We get calls that are inappropriate for us to respond to.
0:08:18 > 0:08:19Give us an example.
0:08:19 > 0:08:24We've had a lot of calls from patients who aren't ill.
0:08:24 > 0:08:30Even for their dogs, for non-medical-related emergencies,
0:08:30 > 0:08:34turning off alarm clocks, the toilet's broken, you name it,
0:08:34 > 0:08:36we've had calls for that sort of thing.
0:08:36 > 0:08:41Why would people think that was appropriate to ring you for that?
0:08:41 > 0:08:46At the time they make the call, they think in their own mind it is the correct thing to do.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49However, in hindsight they probably realise it is not.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53That's very generous of you. Are you saying people under the influence
0:08:53 > 0:08:57of drink, for example, would reason better at another time?
0:08:57 > 0:09:03If you have a group of people out who have been drinking, their judgment is definitely clouded.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07An injury that during the day they would resolve themselves,
0:09:07 > 0:09:11they think is far more serious and they will often call 999.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14So the job of these people here is really important
0:09:14 > 0:09:17because they've got to filter that to make sure that you don't
0:09:17 > 0:09:20end up being sent as a resource to something inappropriate?
0:09:20 > 0:09:25They're triage-ing - French word for sorting - to find who we need to get to within eight minutes
0:09:25 > 0:09:28because they might die, who can wait a little bit longer
0:09:28 > 0:09:31and who needs to go to another area of the health service.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33Just to touch briefly on the malicious calls,
0:09:33 > 0:09:38they can do real damage to your potential to respond.
0:09:38 > 0:09:43Massively. We place our vehicles based on where we know there will be emergency calls.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45If we get a hoax or a malicious call,
0:09:45 > 0:09:49we'll move that vehicle to respond because these people often say
0:09:49 > 0:09:52someone has been stabbed, something we would respond to.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56Therefore, a further call comes in in that area and a patient may die.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59We treat hoax calls and malicious calls extremely seriously
0:09:59 > 0:10:02in conjunction with the police and the fire brigade.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05We'll switch off mobile phones and we'll prosecute
0:10:05 > 0:10:06if we're able to do so.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Be warned if you're ever considering doing that kind of thing.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13It's interesting what people think emergencies are. Thanks.
0:10:13 > 0:10:19999 calls about sports injuries are bread and butter for an ambulance control room like this one,
0:10:19 > 0:10:22but in this case, the player writhing in agony on the floor
0:10:22 > 0:10:26isn't any old rugby player, he's a talented international.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33'9pm, and a call's come in to help an England international rugby player
0:10:33 > 0:10:35'who's been stretchered off the pitch.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38'On their way, ambulance technician Nicky
0:10:38 > 0:10:42'and, not for the first time, paramedic Sarah MacDonald.'
0:10:42 > 0:10:47Just my luck. Whenever there's a big match in Newbury between a national team,
0:10:47 > 0:10:51'I usually end up going to one of the poor players who's been injured in the line of duty.'
0:10:51 > 0:10:53So here we go again, I think!
0:10:54 > 0:10:58'The match, England versus Scotland Under 20s, is still playing,
0:10:58 > 0:11:01'but it's certainly over for Kieran Low,
0:11:01 > 0:11:04'who's lying in the treatment room with a broken ankle.'
0:11:04 > 0:11:06Oi, can someone drive my car?
0:11:06 > 0:11:08- Eh?- Can someone drive my car?
0:11:08 > 0:11:12'The team doctor has already stabilised the break with an inflatable splint,
0:11:12 > 0:11:16'and eased Kieran's pain by giving him some morphine and Entonox laughing gas.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20'This has also noticeably lightened his mood.'
0:11:20 > 0:11:22HE LAUGHS
0:11:22 > 0:11:24'It's all come as a bit of a surprise for his dad,
0:11:24 > 0:11:28'who was in the stands, and blissfully unaware of what had happened to his son
0:11:28 > 0:11:30'until he was told to come to the changing room.'
0:11:33 > 0:11:37I came down off a line-out, and I saw my ankle, like...
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- I saw you collapse. - I saw it literally do that.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44- I missed it!- He still thought I was playing!
0:11:44 > 0:11:47We thought it was someone else.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50'Until the break can be fully assessed,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53'the aim is to move Kieran around as gently as possible.'
0:11:56 > 0:12:01'But his chance of playing in the next and final Six Nations Championship game has gone.'
0:12:01 > 0:12:04Little bit of a bump.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08Well done, lad.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10You'll get a better bath there!
0:12:14 > 0:12:17'They're taking Kieran to Basingstoke hospital for a set of X-rays.'
0:12:20 > 0:12:21All your little fans.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26'Newbury is not proving to be a lucky location for Kieran.'
0:12:26 > 0:12:30- Cursed, this pitch, Dad. Remember the last time I played here?- Yes.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32I did my ankle as well.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35- Oh, you did!- You came back for more!
0:12:35 > 0:12:37Yeah, he came off last time!
0:12:37 > 0:12:40- That's the last time I was injured. - You don't want to come here again.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43'Kieran's been on his phone since leaving the ground,
0:12:43 > 0:12:46'and the news that England have thrashed the Scots
0:12:46 > 0:12:50'by 56 points to eight prompts even more furious texting.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54'It was early in the second half when Kieran had leapt up high
0:12:54 > 0:12:58'to try and catch the ball, before landing awkwardly on his ankle.'
0:13:02 > 0:13:04You heard it crack, did you?
0:13:07 > 0:13:09Did you feel it crack as well?
0:13:11 > 0:13:13No worries. Can you still wiggle your toes?
0:13:13 > 0:13:16- Yeah, yeah.- Does that cause you much grief?
0:13:16 > 0:13:19Have you got smelly feet? I hope not.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24You're a 20-year-old. What do I expect, really?!
0:13:24 > 0:13:28Nicky checks Kieran's feet to see if the pedal pulse is strong,
0:13:28 > 0:13:31a sign that blood flow isn't restricted.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33Satisfied, she then has a request for him.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36So, do you get new rugby shirts after every match?
0:13:36 > 0:13:39Cos surely they can't get that clean?
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- We could raffle it. - You can have it if you want it. - Marvellous!
0:13:42 > 0:13:44She'd want a Welsh one, anyway.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50- She can have my...! - She can have the socks!
0:13:52 > 0:13:54Though, to get that shirt off him,
0:13:54 > 0:13:56they'll first have to get Kieran off the phone.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59He's got two of them now.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02He can text me back quicker than I can text him.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06He might play rugby for England, but I bet his fingers do the talking.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09You should have been a pianist, Kieran.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11I've got a lot of people asking me how I am, all right?
0:14:11 > 0:14:13THEY LAUGH
0:14:15 > 0:14:19Whether Kieran needs an operation will be decided in the A&E department.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23As well as being an international, he plays for club side London Irish
0:14:23 > 0:14:27and will want to get back into action as soon as possible.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Though it's just as well for Kieran that paramedic Sarah was driving
0:14:30 > 0:14:32and not with him in the back of the ambulance.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36- I wished Scotland won.- No!
0:14:36 > 0:14:37Absolutely no!
0:14:37 > 0:14:40I'm a Celt, I'm a fellow Celt. If that had been a Welsh shirt...
0:14:40 > 0:14:43I said you could have the socks.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46I'm getting the shirt. He was going to give me his shirt.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50He said, "Do you want my shirt?" and I said, "Not with your doctor in there."
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- I said, "Newbury ambulance station". - You got him fairly high on Entonox
0:14:53 > 0:14:57- so she could steal the shirt off his back, literally. - I would've done!
0:14:57 > 0:15:00- He was very sweet.- He was very sweet. - He was very sweet.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03Don't tell my hubby!
0:15:03 > 0:15:05I think the Entonox is still leaking!
0:15:05 > 0:15:06THEY LAUGH
0:15:08 > 0:15:12And the good news is Nicky got that shirt in the end as a thank you from Kieran
0:15:12 > 0:15:14and Sarah, not so lucky, has the socks.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16Kieran himself is making a good recovery.
0:15:16 > 0:15:21He's still in a cast, but he does hope to be back on the rugby field next season. Nick.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25Thank you, Louise. I want to have a chat to Paul Walker -
0:15:25 > 0:15:28I'm going to grab this chair, cos there's nowhere to sit.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32He's a clinical supervisor, used to be out on the road as a paramedic.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35If an accident happened on the dual carriageway outside,
0:15:35 > 0:15:37would you be out the door to help out?
0:15:37 > 0:15:41No, on the basis that my job is about filtering other calls.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44If I can save two jobs in the time whilst I'm in here,
0:15:44 > 0:15:48then it releases those crew to be able to deal with the jobs outside.
0:15:48 > 0:15:49- And...- Do you miss it?
0:15:49 > 0:15:51Yeah, ever so much!
0:15:51 > 0:15:54I'm going to take you back to one of the incidents
0:15:54 > 0:15:57that you attended before on a building site, which is close to my heart.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01You went out to a fairly serious incident on a building site.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04Yes, this was a construction site about 10 miles from here,
0:16:04 > 0:16:05out in the woods.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08They were putting in a concrete reservoir, which was square.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12They were putting it into a round hole that they'd already excavated.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15The construction chap that was on the top had lost his balance
0:16:15 > 0:16:18but he hadn't fallen into the square hole,
0:16:18 > 0:16:22he'd fallen down the side between the square hole and the round side.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25If we take a look at a photograph, we haven't got film,
0:16:25 > 0:16:28but we've got a photograph of him at the bottom of the hole -
0:16:28 > 0:16:29a difficult space for you to get to.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31I was the first person on the scene.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34I looked over the edge - I'm not keen on heights myself,
0:16:34 > 0:16:36and I was told it was a deep hole.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39When I looked over the side, I realised it was a VERY deep hole.
0:16:39 > 0:16:40How far down are we talking?
0:16:40 > 0:16:42I think it was about four metres.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46A fair way down. I was told by the other construction workers
0:16:46 > 0:16:49he'd fallen down head-first and landed on his head.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52At the time, when I looked down, he wasn't moving.
0:16:52 > 0:16:53You weren't holding out much hope?
0:16:53 > 0:16:57- I feared for the worst. - We've got another picture,
0:16:57 > 0:17:00because you used local machinery to help get him out,
0:17:00 > 0:17:03and we've got a picture - a crane that was on site.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05Yes, we were trying to figure out how to get him out,
0:17:05 > 0:17:09thinking about roping stretchers, utilise whoever we could.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11Then one of the construction workers asked
0:17:11 > 0:17:13if we wanted to use the crane that was on site.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17We discussed it with those that were there, including the fire brigade,
0:17:17 > 0:17:20and eventually used the crane to rope him up.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22Who tied the knots, you or the fire brigade?
0:17:22 > 0:17:23I'm pretty good on knots,
0:17:23 > 0:17:26but I didn't want to risk not getting the chap up,
0:17:26 > 0:17:28so I left it to the fire brigade ropes team.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31We've got one last picture, which is of him on the ground
0:17:31 > 0:17:33actually being looked after - so that was it,
0:17:33 > 0:17:37you tied him up and got him off to hospital. Do we know how he did?
0:17:37 > 0:17:38Yes, I do.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41He turned out to be a relative of one of the staff
0:17:41 > 0:17:44that worked in the control room, and she was able to update me
0:17:44 > 0:17:47and told me that there was no neurological defect afterwards.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50- He survived the accident? - He survived.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53Thanks to you guys digging him out of that tiny space.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56I can understand why you miss it. Nice to chat to you.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59- Thank you very much for that. - Thank you.- Louise.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01Let's go back to that dramatic plane crash.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05The pilot inside has serious injuries and urgently needs
0:18:05 > 0:18:09to get to hospital, but first, they have to get him out of the wreckage.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12In the cockpit of the crashed plane,
0:18:12 > 0:18:15Dr Rob Daws is preparing Brian, the injured pilot,
0:18:15 > 0:18:18so he can be safely moved from the wreckage.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20It's a very confined space.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22Brian's facial injuries are severe.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26Ambulance technician Emma Hedges is working alongside Rob
0:18:26 > 0:18:27through a smashed window.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30I was assisting him, drawing up fluid and drugs for him,
0:18:30 > 0:18:33making sure his obs were taken and writing them down.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35It's an hour since the crash,
0:18:35 > 0:18:38and only now is Brian's condition stable enough
0:18:38 > 0:18:41for him to be eased out on a long board.
0:18:41 > 0:18:46Rob has to be extra vigilant, as moving him can cause complications.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50The most worrying injuries for me were the maxillofacial injuries.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52These were bleeding quite a lot.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55When he's sitting, we can drain the blood quite easily.
0:18:55 > 0:18:56What was more worrying to me
0:18:56 > 0:19:00is that when you're lying down it drips into the mouth
0:19:00 > 0:19:03and into the airway, which can obstruct the airway.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07The medics and firefighters carefully move Brian from the wreckage.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09It was quite difficult to get him out
0:19:09 > 0:19:11because he'd been in a sitting position.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14It has to be done slowly so you don't aggravate any injuries
0:19:14 > 0:19:17or any internal bleeding - at that time, you don't know if there is any.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21- Are we able to move him across, out of the hazmat scene?- Yes.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23Please, if we could, thank you.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27Brian's in extreme pain from his many injuries.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31As we got him out of the plane, he became more obviously in pain,
0:19:31 > 0:19:33groaning and moaning more.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36More injuries were coming to light as we took him out of the plane.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39MOANING
0:19:39 > 0:19:45They move him to a safer place to start a thorough examination.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49Before you strap him, can you get his clothes off, please?
0:19:49 > 0:19:53- Legs as well, Alex? - Trousers, everything off, please.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56Chris, IV access kit, please.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59There are three critical care doctors, as well as paramedics,
0:19:59 > 0:20:02and other experts from the ambulance service.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05The doctors there were reassessing his injuries,
0:20:05 > 0:20:07like in his pelvis or his legs.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11Also, at hospital, if they needed to go direct to theatre, he'd be ready.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14With so many working at once it's important to know
0:20:14 > 0:20:16what the others are doing.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19Consultant nurse Bruce Armstrong takes the lead.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21Priorities now.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23Rob, his airway is fine.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25His breathing is fine - Charles has listened to it.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29OK, his chest is fine. Belly's soft.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31Pelvis?
0:20:31 > 0:20:34To add to Brian's trauma, he can't see anything.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37His injured eyes have been bandaged.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40In a bid to keep him calm, Emma keeps up a commentary
0:20:40 > 0:20:41on all that's happening.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45OK, there's someone pressing on your ankle now. Does that hurt?
0:20:45 > 0:20:49Yes, that hurts. You're doing really, really well, Brian, OK?
0:20:49 > 0:20:52You need to keep talking and reassuring him
0:20:52 > 0:20:54that you are going to help him.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56You want to get on top of his pain relief
0:20:56 > 0:20:58because he's obviously in distress.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01What we're doing now with the casualty is moving him
0:21:01 > 0:21:05onto a scoop stretcher, to move him to the ambulance.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11And they wrap him in a special blanket designed for the army
0:21:11 > 0:21:13to keep the injured warm.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17So far, Brian is responding well,
0:21:17 > 0:21:21but he's sustained so much trauma that he could start deteriorating at any time.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24He's got the journey to the hospital to get through,
0:21:24 > 0:21:26so the doctors consider
0:21:26 > 0:21:29whether they should anaesthetise him here and now.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32I'll give them a ring
0:21:32 > 0:21:35and have someone ready to do an RSI when you get there.
0:21:35 > 0:21:41They've decided to take him as he is for now. If his condition get worse en route, they'll reconsider.
0:21:44 > 0:21:49Rob and Emma will travel with him in the ambulance, monitoring his condition all the way to hospital.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53It's now three hours since the crash.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57Brian might be out of the plane, but he's still in a critical condition.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59As we'll see later, it's not over yet.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03Still to come on Real Rescues, the mobile ambulance control unit
0:22:03 > 0:22:06that's sent out to plane crashes and major incidents.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10These are pictures from its roof-mounted camera showing an emergency at Exeter airport.
0:22:10 > 0:22:15A 50-seater plane is coming in to land with severe mechanical problems.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19Here's a helmet-mounted camera showing the rescue of Gilly, the cat.
0:22:19 > 0:22:20Hello, puss puss.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24Good girl. Gilly...
0:22:26 > 0:22:32It won't be too long before we all recognise 13-year-old Eddie Manning - hello, Eddie.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35He's a rising star of the theatre, but on the eve
0:22:35 > 0:22:40of his first major performance, he fell and injured himself. We witnessed his big break.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43Sit forward, mate.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45- Well done.- That's it.
0:22:45 > 0:22:50You've got it. Good lad. Yeah? Gas and air works all right, doesn't it?
0:22:50 > 0:22:53All right, mate. Nice and easy.
0:22:53 > 0:22:54Just have a little look.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59It's nice and still, isn't it? It's not moving.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01- You fell asleep on us for a while. - Did I?
0:23:01 > 0:23:04Yeah. No-one laughed, don't worry.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08That's all right, isn't it?
0:23:08 > 0:23:12Well, it was a serious break and Eddie was in plaster for six weeks.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15That caused another problem - he'd been offered a part
0:23:15 > 0:23:18in a major open-air production of Into The Woods,
0:23:18 > 0:23:20but only if his cast was off in time.
0:23:20 > 0:23:25Miraculously, he made it - just - and was able to take to the stage.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29# All the curses have been ended The reverses wiped away
0:23:29 > 0:23:33# All this tenderness and laughter Forever after... #
0:23:33 > 0:23:38That was Eddie singing, and the news gets even better than that - the show recently won an Olivier Award.
0:23:38 > 0:23:45Eddie, congratulations. You didn't get to go on stage, but what was it like when you won that award?
0:23:45 > 0:23:51The cast were all at the back and we just went mental.
0:23:51 > 0:23:56- Did you? Doing what?- We jumped out of our seats and was just...
0:23:56 > 0:23:58Absolutely brilliant for you.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Tell us about the cast, because it was quite close.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03You only just made it into Into The Woods, didn't you?
0:24:03 > 0:24:06Yeah, I had two weeks
0:24:06 > 0:24:11before we were actually going on the set.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14- So you practised in the cast, did you?- Yes.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17Did that make it more difficult? It must have done.
0:24:17 > 0:24:23Yes, because on some bits we had to use both hands,
0:24:23 > 0:24:27so I couldn't really move my arm properly.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30I just wondered, can I get an autograph, please?
0:24:30 > 0:24:34I've never met a West End star before, so can I have an autograph?
0:24:34 > 0:24:35Just write on it "To Nick".
0:24:35 > 0:24:38I'm going to interrupt you, if that's OK, Nick.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41As long as he can do both at the same time.
0:24:41 > 0:24:46It wasn't just in the West End, because it got broadcast in cinemas as well, didn't it?
0:24:46 > 0:24:49He can't do both. Do you know what, Eddie?
0:24:49 > 0:24:52You'll have to practise talking and writing!
0:24:52 > 0:24:55- Thanks, sorry to interrupt. - My goodness me!
0:24:55 > 0:24:59Tell us about the party as well, because you went to a party
0:24:59 > 0:25:02- after you got that award. Lots of big stars there.- Mm-hmm.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Who did you recognise?
0:25:05 > 0:25:07Patrick Stewart was there from Star Trek.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10OK, did he recognise you?
0:25:10 > 0:25:16He walked past us and then he walked back and said well done to me.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19- How did that feel? - Oh, it was brilliant.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23- Your mum nearly cried, didn't she? Does she always cry?- Yeah.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26- Eddie, thank you. Lovely to meet you and good luck.- Thank you.
0:25:26 > 0:25:31"To Nick, from Eddie" - isn't that perfect?
0:25:31 > 0:25:34He swapped one cast for another. Geddit?!
0:25:34 > 0:25:36See what I did? Cast! All right, I'll move on.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41Back to the pilot of the crashed Piper light aircraft.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43He's seriously injured and paramedics had spent hours
0:25:43 > 0:25:47stabilising him before delicately removing him from the wreckage.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49Now the race is on to get him to hospital.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53It's three hours since the crash and Brian is on his way to hospital.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57He's been prepared so he can be taken straight into surgery.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59- Have you got everything you need? - Yeah.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02- Let's get going.- OK, Brian, we're making a move now.
0:26:02 > 0:26:10It's important to reassure Brian. He can't see and he's in a lot of pain, so Emma and Rob keep talking to him.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13- What happened? Did the engine just cut out?- Mm.- Oh dear, OK.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17- Have you been flying for a long time?- (Years.)- Years?
0:26:17 > 0:26:19- Is this your first crash?- Yeah.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23- You did it in spectacular fashion, my darling.- And you survived.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26You survived, which is the big thing.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30When you've been involved in a big catastrophic injury or incident,
0:26:30 > 0:26:34obviously you're very emotional and want to know that you're OK,
0:26:34 > 0:26:37that you haven't lost any limbs and so forth.
0:26:37 > 0:26:42It's important to keep reassuring the guys, so that's just something I've done over the years, really.
0:26:42 > 0:26:49From talking to the casualties later, they really hang on to that emotional support, that reassurance.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52Another 20 milligrams of ketamine.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56Rob administers powerful painkillers at regular intervals.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00He coped really well. He wasn't panicking or making too much fuss, he was moaning
0:27:00 > 0:27:03only because he was in pain and he coped really well with it.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06- Are you warm enough, Brian?- Mm.- Good.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13They've made it to the hospital.
0:27:13 > 0:27:18- Brian, we're here now, mate. You're going to be fine. - Rob hands over to the trauma unit.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22He's a 74-year-old guy and main cause of his injuries is...
0:27:22 > 0:27:25He was a pilot of a light aircraft, his engine has stalled
0:27:25 > 0:27:28and he's gone into the back garden of a house in Tottenham.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31He was trapped for about an hour and 30 minutes.
0:27:31 > 0:27:36His main injuries are he's got an eyeball injury to his right,
0:27:36 > 0:27:41with exophthalmos of his right, he's got a laceration to his lower jaw,
0:27:41 > 0:27:45just on his chin which is bleeding quite profusely.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48He has a fractured right wrist, a probable fractured right ankle,
0:27:48 > 0:27:52and a probable fractured pelvis. He's maintained his airway throughout.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55No external haemorrhage, no catastrophic haemorrhage.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58D has been GCS 15 throughout.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01It won't be long before Brian is in surgery.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03He'll now get all the attention he needs to help him recover
0:28:03 > 0:28:05from his terrible injuries.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09Both he and the passengers survived the air crash.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12For the emergency teams,
0:28:12 > 0:28:16it's been a challenging call-out and one of the most unusual.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19Nice that they both survived, yeah.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23It's probably the trickiest job I've done, one of the most surreal jobs I've done.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26Just because you have to think on your feet.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30It's not something you've done before and you're trying to remember your basic training
0:28:30 > 0:28:35and get everything done in the right order, and do your best for the patient.
0:28:35 > 0:28:40So how did Brian survive all of that? Well, he's here and he can tell us for himself.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44How lovely to see you stood here, given the list of - I mean,
0:28:44 > 0:28:49when they were going through what was wrong with you when they took you in...
0:28:49 > 0:28:51- Yes, hmm.- When did you realise how serious it was?
0:28:51 > 0:28:53You must have known it was life-threatening.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56Not really. It was a bit of a dream.
0:28:56 > 0:29:01I knew I was hurt because I knew I couldn't see,
0:29:01 > 0:29:04but it didn't actually hurt very much.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06I think shock had taken over or whatever.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09There was no real pain going on.
0:29:09 > 0:29:13We've got a small list of what was wrong - give me your facial injuries to begin with.
0:29:13 > 0:29:18Facial injuries - both eyes got pushed back into the brain or into that space.
0:29:18 > 0:29:22The right eye burst completely - it split and stuff came out.
0:29:22 > 0:29:28The jaw was in five pieces so they had to take all the bottom teeth out
0:29:28 > 0:29:32to plate it up and put it back together. Broken wrist...
0:29:32 > 0:29:38- Eye sockets were broken as well. - Yes, they had to rebuild those on both sides.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42For this, they did actually cut the top of my head off, lift the brain out and put the eyes...
0:29:42 > 0:29:46- They did not!- Seriously, yes. - Really?- Yes.
0:29:46 > 0:29:50They explained all this, what they were going to do at the time, to me,
0:29:50 > 0:29:57for my permission. I said, as far as I'm concerned, you can do what you like. You're the experts!
0:29:57 > 0:30:01It's astounding that you're stood here talking to me so soon afterwards.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05It's not, it's seven months coming up so it's a long time.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08I'm sure a very long time for you. The extraordinary thing,
0:30:08 > 0:30:13was whilst we were recording the last series was when the accident happened so we were aware.
0:30:13 > 0:30:18Watching all the emergency crews in the ambulance rooms going to work was astounding for us.
0:30:18 > 0:30:23For you to have those people working around you in such a tight space must have been incredible.
0:30:23 > 0:30:27I didn't realise at the time how many people were there.
0:30:27 > 0:30:33I can remember talking to people, when they came along and said, "Are the electrics switched off?"
0:30:33 > 0:30:37"No, but I'll do it." So I switched off the electrics.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39How did you do that? You were blind at that stage.
0:30:39 > 0:30:44When you fly, you tend to get to know where everything is simply by feel.
0:30:44 > 0:30:50I know the switch is down here for the electrics, I know the magneto switch is over there.
0:30:50 > 0:30:55- So you managed to do that even though you couldn't see out of either eye at that stage?- Mm.
0:30:55 > 0:31:00- The person in the other seat. - Yeah, my passenger. - He was an old friend of yours.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03Yes, he was. I've known him for 60-some years.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06You'd been talking him into going for a flight for how long?
0:31:06 > 0:31:09- 17 years.- And how many flights had he been on before that?
0:31:09 > 0:31:14- He'd never been for a flight with me.- And he didn't want to go because...
0:31:14 > 0:31:18No, he lives in Scotland. This is the problem. He lived in Scotland.
0:31:18 > 0:31:22We were never together where aeroplanes are for a long time.
0:31:22 > 0:31:28Right. So you went up there and he was badly injured as well.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30He was injured, yes.
0:31:30 > 0:31:35He had a broken nose, broken ribs, cracked vertebrae, yeah.
0:31:35 > 0:31:41- Is he still talking to you? - Oh, yes, we're still very friendly. I spoke to him at the weekend.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44The other thing is the damage to the house. We can show you some pictures here.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48- This is the lady's house who you bumped into.- Yes.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52- And left something of a hole in her roof.- Yes.- Did you manage to have a word with her?
0:31:52 > 0:31:55Yes. In fact, I met her for the first time today.
0:31:55 > 0:32:02- But you rang her.- I rang her while I was still in hospital. - To say?- To say sorry.
0:32:02 > 0:32:03Effectively, yeah.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05Oh, yes.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08I don't suppose you'll be wanting to go flying again, will you?
0:32:08 > 0:32:11- I'd love to fly. I'd be up there today if I could.- Really?
0:32:11 > 0:32:14Really. Oh, yeah. Look, it's the freedom.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18It's just a great way to enjoy yourself.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20- What caused the crash? - The engine stopped.
0:32:20 > 0:32:26We never know... Nobody knows, to this day, why the engine stopped.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28- And you still want to try it again? - Absolutely.
0:32:28 > 0:32:33I think you're a marvel, medically, though I think you're mad to want to do it again.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35That's been said before, yeah!
0:32:35 > 0:32:38- Fantastic to meet you and thank you very much for coming in.- Thank you.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40Lovely to see you looking so well.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43I cant believe he wants to go back. Let's talk to Erica.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46- Are you OK? You're not on a call, are you?- No, it's OK.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50About an elderly lady who was on holiday here and she'd had a fall. Where had she had it, though?
0:32:50 > 0:32:53She had a fall in the forest at Matchams.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56She was down here on her own and she'd taken her two dogs
0:32:56 > 0:32:57for a walk in the forest.
0:32:57 > 0:33:02It was just starting to get dark and she fell over and broke her leg.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04And she didn't know where she was,
0:33:04 > 0:33:07but luckily we found her by tracing her through pylons
0:33:07 > 0:33:09and what part of the forest and lay-bys.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11Right.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15So we were trying to deal with her and she said she had two dogs with her
0:33:15 > 0:33:17and she didn't want to leave them.
0:33:17 > 0:33:21- So, I'm a bit of an animal lover. - You are a dog lover, are you? - Yeah, definitely.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25- So you were immediately concerned about them as well as her? - Yeah, definitely.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28I tried to trace dogs' homes and other people
0:33:28 > 0:33:33to see if they could take the dogs on and look after them, but nobody would.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36So we were told to leave the dogs in the car for the night
0:33:36 > 0:33:39in the lay-by and she could collect them the next morning if she was well.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42- So I had other plans. - Did you? What did you do?
0:33:42 > 0:33:44My parents lived up the road,
0:33:44 > 0:33:47so I asked my mum to come down and get the dogs.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50She did, and while she was there the lady said,
0:33:50 > 0:33:55"I really don't want to leave my car here either, can you take that?"
0:33:55 > 0:34:00Dad came down, picked up the car, took the dogs and the car back to their house.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03This is what I would say is beyond the call of duty, isn't it?
0:34:03 > 0:34:05It's not what we usually do.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08It was a few years ago, so it was a bit quieter then.
0:34:08 > 0:34:14But at the time, I thought, "I can't do this, I cant leave the dogs in the car overnight."
0:34:14 > 0:34:18And do you often call your mum and dad and ask them to do favours like that?
0:34:18 > 0:34:21- No. It was a one-off.- And how long did they look after the dogs for?
0:34:21 > 0:34:27It was only for 24 hours, then a family member came and picked everything up.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30But it meant that she could relax a bit while she was going to hospital.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33The other thing is, if you're injured, you still worry
0:34:33 > 0:34:36- about your loved ones, your dogs, don't you?- Exactly, yeah.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38She was happy, I was happy.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41But it's not something we usually do, I must say.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43People shouldn't expect to be able to call up, should they?
0:34:43 > 0:34:46- No, definitely not.- Erica, thank you very much.- That's OK.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48Nick, where are you?
0:34:48 > 0:34:50I'm in another emergency control room,
0:34:50 > 0:34:57only this one's mobile and can be sent to the scene of major incidents.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00It still co-ordinates the emergency operation but can do so on the ground.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04And this camera looking down on me is just one of the gadgets on board.
0:35:04 > 0:35:09Come and have a chat to Tony Savill, who can tell us more about it.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13Tony, why do you need a mobile truck like this to go to an incident?
0:35:13 > 0:35:17It allows us to have eyes on the ground so we are able to be there,
0:35:17 > 0:35:20co-ordinate what's going on at the scene and see
0:35:20 > 0:35:21exactly what's going on.
0:35:21 > 0:35:26There's more than one camera. This is the one you put on the incident commander, is that right?
0:35:26 > 0:35:28- Absolutely.- So you get his view.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31If you look at the screen, his view is the one on the right.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34And the one on the top of the truck is the one on the left.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37There are so many different emergency services there,
0:35:37 > 0:35:40- so having a control room like this actually does the job for you.- Absolutely.
0:35:40 > 0:35:46- Take us through this incident. This is one that you attended at Exeter airport.- In Exeter airport, yes.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49We had reports coming in of a plane coming in with undercarriage problems,
0:35:49 > 0:35:52but it was quite a large plane and we had some notice,
0:35:52 > 0:35:55so we made the decision to deploy the vehicle in advance.
0:35:55 > 0:35:57Let us have a look and see how it progresses.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03We gave our incident commander the headset, got everything ready
0:36:03 > 0:36:05and got in.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08We were there while he was circling to get rid of fuel
0:36:08 > 0:36:12to make it safe to land, and eventually he comes in.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16We're looking on the right because that's the incident commander on the bus.
0:36:16 > 0:36:17What's the bus for?
0:36:17 > 0:36:20It was there to take the other emergency services
0:36:20 > 0:36:24and airport staff to the scene of the incident.
0:36:24 > 0:36:28As you can see, the plane's just coming in here now.
0:36:28 > 0:36:32- And there how many people on board? - 50 people on board that plane.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35- You can see one of the tyres has gone on the left-hand side.- Yeah.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39- So the pilot did an amazing job of getting that down.- Completely.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42It was a difficult landing, I would imagine.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44However, if that had crashed, and that was the worry,
0:36:44 > 0:36:49you've got a plane with 50 people on board skewing across the runway,
0:36:49 > 0:36:51which is why you had so many people there.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54Absolutely. We were there in advance, ready for it to happen.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57Everybody was pre-deployed, so if the worst had occurred
0:36:57 > 0:36:59we'd be in a position to deal with it.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03Why is this of use? I can see you're filming here, great for training purposes,
0:37:03 > 0:37:06but in terms of a live feed back to the command centre, how does that help you?
0:37:06 > 0:37:09It allows commanders who are looking after the incident,
0:37:09 > 0:37:12as well as the other counties that we deal with,
0:37:12 > 0:37:15to have a view of what's going on. If you can see it,
0:37:15 > 0:37:17it's much easier than reading it on the screen.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20- How important is this kit for you?- Very important indeed.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22Smashing. Thanks very much, Tony.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28It's an old stereotype that firefighters spend their time
0:37:28 > 0:37:31rescuing cats up trees and on high roofs,
0:37:31 > 0:37:33but is it really a good use of their time?
0:37:33 > 0:37:36The problem is owners will go to any lengths to save
0:37:36 > 0:37:38their much-loved pets, whatever the risk.
0:37:38 > 0:37:43A professional rescue ensures everyone stays safe.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47This black cat is going nowhere. She's climbed as far as she can.
0:37:47 > 0:37:52It's at least 30 feet down and this animal's clearly in no mood
0:37:52 > 0:37:54to attempt a descent.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56It's a job for the fire service.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58How are you doing, fella?
0:37:58 > 0:38:02- In charge is animal-rescue specialist, Buster Brown. - Come and have a look.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07Judging by its neck attire, this cat is not any old stray.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09In fact, she's a much-loved pet
0:38:09 > 0:38:13and has been the subject of a missing-moggy campaign.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16Her owner, Andrea, was delighted to find it had worked.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19I got a phone call from a neighbour down the road -
0:38:19 > 0:38:22she's about 20 houses down - saying that they
0:38:22 > 0:38:25could see a cat from their bedroom window.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29They got their binoculars out and they thought, "Oh, it's a cat."
0:38:29 > 0:38:33I didn't know what to do. I automatically thought, "I can't get up there."
0:38:33 > 0:38:36Luckily, it's being left to the professionals.
0:38:36 > 0:38:40If it's been up there that length of time, it's really not going to make its way down
0:38:40 > 0:38:42without some assistance.
0:38:42 > 0:38:43The reason we are going up there
0:38:43 > 0:38:47is because members of the public will put themselves at risk,
0:38:47 > 0:38:49climbing the roof themselves.
0:38:49 > 0:38:53On this particular pitch here, it would be quite easy for someone to climb up onto the wall
0:38:53 > 0:38:58then onto the garage roof and try to stretch up and climb up the tiles unaided.
0:38:58 > 0:39:02By us removing the cat, it takes away the risk that they might endanger themselves.
0:39:02 > 0:39:03I was amazed.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06I was laughing at one stage for the sake of,
0:39:06 > 0:39:07"I can't believe it's my cat."
0:39:07 > 0:39:11For the sake of sheer shock that, "That's my cat on that roof."
0:39:12 > 0:39:15This is potentially very dangerous work.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18I'm going to climb up the ladder
0:39:18 > 0:39:20wearing this harness,
0:39:20 > 0:39:22and I'll clip this onto the ladder that I'm on
0:39:22 > 0:39:26and I'll stay on the ladder or on the ridge of the roof so that basically I've actually got
0:39:26 > 0:39:30some method of securing me to something tangible.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32Should I slip, I'm not going to fall off the roof.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35A bit more, fella.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38First, they have to clear the drive to get the ladders in place.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40That's great. Well done, mate.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48Gill the cat has remained pretty much rooted to the spot.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51She barely turns a hair when the ladders are put up.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03I think it will come to me quite easily.
0:40:08 > 0:40:09Hello.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12Buster needs a good head for heights.
0:40:12 > 0:40:1530 feet may not sound very far but this is what it looks like.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18Puss, puss.
0:40:18 > 0:40:23Come on. Come on.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26Good girl.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29Gill senses that this is the only route to safety,
0:40:29 > 0:40:31making Buster's work a little easier.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33Yeah, hello. Oh, mate.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36You're beautiful.
0:40:39 > 0:40:43However, putting a cat in a basket 30 feet up is potentially stomach-churning.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46Tried and practised, tried and practised.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48He's done it.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51Gill is in the basket and on her way down to earth,
0:40:51 > 0:40:56straight back to an RSPCA inspector who hands her over to Andrea
0:40:56 > 0:40:58and her family.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02I was so pleased to have her back down. It was amazing.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05She's a lovely cat and I couldn't live without her.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08Everyone comes round to see Gill more than to see me.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10It's lovely to have her home.
0:41:12 > 0:41:17And Gill, it seems, is happy to leave the high life behind.
0:41:17 > 0:41:18She's quite homely now.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21Whether it's down to the weather or whether it is down to
0:41:21 > 0:41:24her incident, she's a cat that wants to stay home.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30Honestly, that answers a question that I've often had,
0:41:30 > 0:41:35which is, when you look at these units - I love animals and don't want to see them come to any harm -
0:41:35 > 0:41:38but is it worth all that money to send people out do this?
0:41:38 > 0:41:41It is if somebody's going to follow them and fall out of the tree.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44Would you follow your cat up onto the roof to try and rescue it?
0:41:44 > 0:41:47- Oh, I... I don't... Maybe. - Yes, you probably would.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50There would be an ambulance at the bottom to get you back.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54- Maybe I wouldn't now. - Have you learned anything today? - I didn't know that triage...
0:41:54 > 0:41:57what it meant... I didn't know it meant sorting.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00Yes, it's a posh word. If you're told, "I'm going to sort you," you're not happy.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03But "You're going to see the triage." "I'm happy, thanks."
0:42:03 > 0:42:08- That's all for today. Join us next time for more Real Rescues. See you then.- See you.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:42:31 > 0:42:34E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk