0:00:02 > 0:00:05Today a woman's life hangs in the balance after a motorcycle accident.
0:00:05 > 0:00:09She's stopped breathing twice and she's going to need two operations
0:00:09 > 0:00:14lying on the roadside before she can be airlifted to hospital.
0:00:14 > 0:00:15We're going to do a procedure
0:00:15 > 0:00:18just to release any pressure within the chest cavity.
0:00:18 > 0:00:22Have you got morphine on you? Do you mind making up 10 and 10?
0:00:22 > 0:00:27The remarkable sight that greets doctors in Accident and Emergency -
0:00:27 > 0:00:30a screw so long it's gone through a man's shoe
0:00:30 > 0:00:32and embedded deep into his foot.
0:00:32 > 0:00:36I was screwing the floor down. Landed on top of a screw.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38It just went straight through my foot.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Hello and welcome to Real Rescues.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58Today we are at the South Central Ambulance Control Room.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01The call takers here are dealing with
0:01:01 > 0:01:05real-life 999 emergencies, from all over the South of England.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08And when a report comes in of a major accident, like the one
0:01:08 > 0:01:12we are about to see, the medics are called in by road and by air.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14Natalie has a passion for motorbikes
0:01:14 > 0:01:17and one sunny March afternoon she and some friends
0:01:17 > 0:01:19are biking through the countryside to Stonehenge.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21A freak accident leaves Natalie thrown from her bike
0:01:21 > 0:01:23and unconscious.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25She's hanging onto life by a thread
0:01:25 > 0:01:29and she's going to need expert medical help at the roadside.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34Critical care doctor Paul Rees is heading to a serious trauma
0:01:34 > 0:01:37on a country road near Marlborough in Wiltshire.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40So I've been called now by the ambulance desk,
0:01:40 > 0:01:42the desk that operates our air ambulance.
0:01:42 > 0:01:47The information is that a motorcycle has been involved in a road accident. We don't know any more than that.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51Paul's been dispatched to the scene along with the air ambulance.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54As he gets closer, a worrying update comes through.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56We've had some more information,
0:01:56 > 0:02:01the person's GCS is seven, so the Glasgow Coma Score, their conscious level has reduced.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03So that indicates they've got quite a serious injury.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05The crew are also saying they're cerebrally irritated.
0:02:05 > 0:02:13This information tells Paul the motorcyclist's chances of survival could be limited.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15There we go, there's the job.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18Alongside the ambulance is the crashed bike.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22Several metres away in the undergrowth is the critically-injured woman.
0:02:31 > 0:02:32OK.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40You do that and I'll draw some blood.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43She's clearly pretty poorly.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46Conscious levels down as we were told on the way here.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48Natalie's groaning and struggling
0:02:48 > 0:02:51is putting huge strain on her system,
0:02:51 > 0:02:54dangerously increasing the pressure on her skull.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58Air paramedics Vicky and Kirsty have already put her on oxygen
0:02:58 > 0:03:00and given her intravenous pain relief.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03NATALIE GROANS
0:03:03 > 0:03:06Natalie already owes her life to Kevin who was
0:03:06 > 0:03:08trained in the Army Medical Corps.
0:03:08 > 0:03:09He was driving past and stopped.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12Her body was badly twisted in there.
0:03:12 > 0:03:17There was no reaction to either sound or pain from pinching her
0:03:17 > 0:03:20to make sure she could feel. She was out.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24It was at that point I realised that she had actually stopped breathing.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27As soon as I cleared her airways and re-established an airway,
0:03:27 > 0:03:28she started breathing again.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31Which was quite a relief!
0:03:31 > 0:03:33But she then started bleeding quite heavily
0:03:33 > 0:03:36through her nose and mouth and it was very bright bubbly blood,
0:03:36 > 0:03:39so it is an indication that there was some quite significant damage
0:03:39 > 0:03:41done to her lung area.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44And also she was also starting to fit from the head injury
0:03:44 > 0:03:47that she had received coming through the hedge.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50- Did you want a bag of the fluids up, Paul?- Yes, please.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54Now the battle is on to save Natalie from irreversible brain damage.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57Paul is preparing the drugs to put her in a controlled coma.
0:03:57 > 0:04:02This will reduce the brain's need for oxygen and stop it swelling more.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05Meanwhile, Kirsty has the bougie, or hollow piece of tubing.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08Paul will need to insert it into Natalie's windpipe.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11A larger breathing tube will then be placed over it.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14So just prepping all the drugs, really.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18I'm about a minute away.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21And anything up with the pupils at all
0:04:21 > 0:04:22or are they behaving?
0:04:22 > 0:04:26All the time Paul is asking if there are any signs that
0:04:26 > 0:04:29Natalie's condition is deteriorating further.
0:04:29 > 0:04:30That's it, hold my hand.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33- Kevin continues to try to comfort Natalie. - SHE GROANS
0:04:33 > 0:04:37It's all right. Just hold my hand, darling.
0:04:37 > 0:04:42My main role at that point was very much around helping control
0:04:42 > 0:04:44and helping trying to relax her.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46That's a good girl.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52Natalie's agitation is typical of a brain injury.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59Do you mind going down there and giving these two that line?
0:04:59 > 0:05:00So that's the rest of the ketamine.
0:05:00 > 0:05:05Paul is now ready to start the critical process of taking over Natalie's breathing,
0:05:05 > 0:05:08a procedure that a team of eight would perform in hospital.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11Natalie will be given a painkiller, then the anaesthetic.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- So which do you want first? - So the big one.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16So you want ketamine first?
0:05:16 > 0:05:23- How many milligrams?- All of it. - Just a slow push? - No, as a fast push.
0:05:23 > 0:05:24Gently now.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- OK, ketamine going in now. - Thanks.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30- A fast push.- Yep.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34I'll just kink the tubing just in case it's all going back up the drip.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38Good, that's it. And then the next one in straightaway. 150.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44- That's in.- Good. OK, open that drip for 30 seconds.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47These drugs have effectively paralysed Natalie.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49She can't breathe unaided.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52Paul has just a few minutes now to get the breathing tube in place.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Bougie, please.
0:05:56 > 0:05:57Mind your eyes.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01OK, lovely. Just pop the tube on there.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03Good, so we're in at 22.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05The bougie can come out. Good.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08Have you got a syringe there? Thanks.
0:06:11 > 0:06:12Good. Lovely.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17Everybody stay put. Kirsty, do you mind having a listen round for us?
0:06:17 > 0:06:21So we've just popped a tube down to take control of her briefing.
0:06:21 > 0:06:22She's not struggling or agitated.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25We're checking its position. You are right?
0:06:25 > 0:06:27Now Natalie is in a controlled coma.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29Paul and the medical team need to prepare her
0:06:29 > 0:06:33for the flight to hospital, but there's a serious problem.
0:06:33 > 0:06:34Stethoscope.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38You thought there were some crackles in the chest, did you?
0:06:38 > 0:06:39Yeah, a little bit.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43The sound tells Paul air is trapped between the lungs and the chest wall.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48And you've decompressed this side already, yeah?
0:06:48 > 0:06:50Yeah, there was no movement on that side.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Examining her now we've found evidence of a chest injury on the right-hand side.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57So our plan before we fly her is we'll make that stable by making a hole in the chest wall.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00I'll do that now. It releases any blood or trapped air.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04If she's flown like this, her lungs could collapse.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07Paul is going to have to perform a second operation here on the roadside.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11We'll see Paul carrying out that procedure later in the programme.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15Now we've all seen our television - parents, friends, relatives -
0:07:15 > 0:07:19all panicking, making a call because a baby is on the way.
0:07:19 > 0:07:25Now, the call takers in this room have helped to deliver 56 babies between them.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28But the top stork is this man, Anthony.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30You've only been here 12 months, right?
0:07:30 > 0:07:33And how many babies have you helped to deliver?
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- About 20.- 20?! That's an amazing amount.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38- Did they all call you?- Yes.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42- Feels like it.- Now tell me, what sort of state are the parents?
0:07:42 > 0:07:47Is it normally the person on the phone that's panicky or the mum?
0:07:47 > 0:07:48It's a bit of both.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51You have to gauge the situation to work out how we're
0:07:51 > 0:07:55going to do and deal with the situation, depending at what stage labour is at as well.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59Yeah. Most difficult procedure you've ever had to deal with?
0:07:59 > 0:08:02I think most of them had their own complications anyway.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05But the most difficult would be where the mother who was in labour
0:08:05 > 0:08:07wouldn't allow anyone in the room,
0:08:07 > 0:08:09which presented an added complication.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13- They wouldn't let the dad into the room?- No.- She was screaming messages through the door?- Basically.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17We were trying to converse through the door. Luckily we were able to negotiate to get the phone
0:08:17 > 0:08:23actually into the room. And the caller got her neighbour to come into the room
0:08:23 > 0:08:26- and we were able to effect a nice and safe delivery.- My goodness!
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Do they send you photographs and card saying thank you?
0:08:29 > 0:08:31- Unfortunately, no.- Oh. - My wall would be full if I did.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34- So you've never seen the kids?- No. - Have you got children of your own?
0:08:34 > 0:08:39- I do indeed, a six-year-old boy. - You were at the birth?- I was indeed.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43- A very special moment.- You didn't have to make panicky calls?- No, no.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45- It was all nice and easy, a safe delivery, thank you.- Oh, fantastic.
0:08:45 > 0:08:50- Top stork, does that give you extra stripes around here?- Hopefully, yes.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54- Anthony, thanks very much indeed. - You're welcome. Thank you very much.
0:08:54 > 0:08:55That would be nice.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57The human foot is one of the most complex
0:08:57 > 0:08:58and sensitive parts of the body,
0:08:58 > 0:09:00full of nerve endings and small bones.
0:09:00 > 0:09:05In this next 999 call, a man is in unbearable pain after he lands
0:09:05 > 0:09:10on a screw which has gone through his shoe and the sole of his foot.
0:10:19 > 0:10:25Here he is. Here is the man who had the screw in his foot.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27It was clearly hurting at that point, Martin, wasn't it?
0:10:27 > 0:10:31Rewind a bit if you can before that phone call. What had you been doing?
0:10:31 > 0:10:33- I was building floors as normal. - You were doing what?
0:10:33 > 0:10:38Building floors for caravans. I was screwing the floor down.
0:10:40 > 0:10:45And afterwards I jumped off the chassis, one of the screws that was on the strip was still in there.
0:10:45 > 0:10:50As I jumped down, it went through my trainer and into my foot.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52Clearly, not very nice. When did it start hurting?
0:10:52 > 0:10:55Well it sort of went in, I said to my mate,
0:10:55 > 0:11:02"A screw's gone through my foot. I went to touch it and then that was it. Pain.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04- So until that point it wasn't hurting?- It wasn't, no.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08Until I moved my foot and tried to touch it.
0:11:08 > 0:11:09OK. Well we heard that 999 call.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12You went to hospital. Let's see what happened when you got there.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17The team at Poole A&E are used to seeing unusual injuries.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19This one is particularly painful.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21The 2.5 inch screw is deeply embedded.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24I have just... HE SIGHS HEAVILY
0:11:24 > 0:11:26Unbelievably painful.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30So that is the side view of his foot. All this here is his shoe.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34As you can see, it goes in but misses the bone.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36So through all the soft tissue.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39As well as a risk of infection, there's a chance it could
0:11:39 > 0:11:42damage the complex tendon structure in Martin's foot.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46The most tricky thing is that the end of it is square,
0:11:46 > 0:11:47unlike a normal screw.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50So we'll need the specialist equipment to take it out.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54Luckily, he's brought something in with him, but whether we can use this or not is difficult
0:11:54 > 0:11:57because we need to make it sterile to be in the operating theatre.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00While the medics decide the best plan of action,
0:12:00 > 0:12:03Martin is taking all the pain relief he can get.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06Gas and air, combined with morphine, are taking the edge off.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10- How's that pain at the moment? - Still throbbing.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12OK, we'll get you something else.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15- Did the ambulance crew give you anything?- Morphine.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18- They gave me a load of that. - And did it have any effect?
0:12:18 > 0:12:22- Or do you want some more? - Er, I'll have some more if I can.
0:12:22 > 0:12:23Of course you can.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27One thing's for sure, Martin's trainers are good for nothing.
0:12:27 > 0:12:33I didn't think my £60 pair of trainers were going to get cut up either.
0:12:33 > 0:12:34Hello, Martin.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38So we've had a look at your X-rays and it does go, as we expected,
0:12:38 > 0:12:41through into your foot fairly far, but not through any of the bones.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44What we need to do is take it out. We're not going to do that here.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48We'll take you to theatre, have a general anaesthetic.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52One of the orthopaedic team will do that and they'll wash it out
0:12:52 > 0:12:53and clean it the same time. All right?
0:12:53 > 0:12:55Martin's been very lucky.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59Although the screw's deeply embedded, it has missed his bone.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Staff nurse Lisa Neville prepares Martin for surgery.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07- If I use your tummy is a table, is that all right?- Yeah.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Martin knows the drill. He's no stranger to A&E.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14- Are you OK with needles? - I just do not like doing this.
0:13:14 > 0:13:15I know, it is not nice, is it?
0:13:15 > 0:13:19- Have you had to have blood taken a lot, then? - No. I seem to hurt myself a lot.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23- A little bit accident-prone? - Yeah, very.
0:13:23 > 0:13:28Very soon he'll be pain free and detached from the soul of his shoe.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34Oh, Martin, you were very calm during all of that.
0:13:34 > 0:13:35Did you feel calm at the time?
0:13:35 > 0:13:40Well, no. It was just really painful. But the morphine was good.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Yes, I bet! So the question was how do you get a screw out of a foot?
0:13:43 > 0:13:47We have the man who was in charge of all those people there working with you.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49Consultant in emergency medicine, Simon Bell.
0:13:49 > 0:13:50Where do you start with that?
0:13:50 > 0:13:54He was given a general anaesthetic, wasn't he? And then what you do?
0:13:54 > 0:13:56The first thing you have to do is remove the screw.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59- You have to unscrew it. - You have to unscrew it.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03You physically could just pull it out.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05But because of the grooves within the screw itself,
0:14:05 > 0:14:09that would cause so much damage to the soft tissue and the tendons
0:14:09 > 0:14:12and the fascia, the risk of infection would be
0:14:12 > 0:14:16so much higher, the rate of healing would be so much slower.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18And it looks a bit strange when you see the pictures, actually,
0:14:18 > 0:14:20but that's the right thing to do.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23- Yes.- OK, and what about the risk of infection?
0:14:23 > 0:14:26- It's presumably quite high, is it?- It is quite high.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29And once the screw is out there's quite a lot of intense
0:14:29 > 0:14:31cleaning around the wound.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34It's like when you cut yourself anywhere, the most important
0:14:34 > 0:14:38thing to stop yourself from getting an infection is to clean the wound.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42So, for example, if you cut your hand in the kitchen, the most important thing is wash your hand.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45And that's what is going to stop you getting MRSA and tetanus far more than antibiotics.
0:14:45 > 0:14:50The thing that shocked me, having seen that X-Ray - breathtaking when you look at it -
0:14:50 > 0:14:52is how close it was to your bone.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56If it had gone into the bone, the risk of infection would have been very much higher.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59OK, and your trainers, you never got those ones back, did you?
0:14:59 > 0:15:02- No, I had to go and buy another pair. - Another 60 quid?- Yeah.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06I know you've got a sense of humour, Martin, so I'm going to give you that as a present.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09It's not quite as bad as the other one, is it? Is that better or worse?
0:15:09 > 0:15:12- Probably better. - Shall I give you that?
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- And how's the scar, is that OK? - Yeah, it's all good.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- Not as bad as I thought it was going to be, anyway.- And back at work?
0:15:18 > 0:15:23Yeah, back at work. Playing football and everything else. So it's great.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25Best of luck. I hope it never happens again.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29- Yeah, I hope so as well.- Thank you. Thank you, Simon.- Thank you.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36Still to come on Real Rescues - something very strange
0:15:36 > 0:15:37going on in Sue's chimney.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39It's steaming hot.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42But does she need a sweep or a firefighter?
0:15:42 > 0:15:44I don't know what made me suddenly feel the wall.
0:15:44 > 0:15:45I felt it was very hot in here.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49And when I touched the wall it was so incredibly hot.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52And he's far from home and alone on a bus. Ben's had a seizure.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56He's confused and may have another fit.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00Ben? Do you know what's happened to you?
0:16:03 > 0:16:09We've been following the treatment of Natalie who was seriously injured after a motorcycle accident.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13She has severe head trauma, and critical care doctor Paul Rees
0:16:13 > 0:16:15has put her into a controlled coma.
0:16:15 > 0:16:20Now he's preparing to operate again on the roadside.
0:16:22 > 0:16:27A highly-trained trauma team are working to save motorcyclist Natalie's life.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31Basics-trained Dr Paul Rees has already put her in a controlled coma.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35Now he has to perform another operation before it's safe for her to be flown to hospital.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39They've heard abnormal sounds which suggest there is air
0:16:39 > 0:16:42trapped between her lungs and chest wall.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46If she flies, both lungs could collapse, putting her life at risk.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50So we'll do a procedure now to release any pressure within the chest cavity,
0:16:50 > 0:16:51so open the side of the chest.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55My colleagues have already put a needle in to release some pressure.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59But before we fly we'd rather have a slightly bigger hole there, so I'm going to make that now.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03Keep your hand on that.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06Thanks very much. That's great.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08OK...
0:17:08 > 0:17:13Have you got morphine on you? Do you mind making up 10 and 10 for us and we will give her that as well?
0:17:13 > 0:17:16Paul makes the first incision to release the pressure inside.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23- 7.1 on the... - A bit more ventilation then.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25Just a little bit quicker.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32So we should hear a hiss if there's anything left in here.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35There we go, look. See that coming out?
0:17:35 > 0:17:39- Ah. Yep.- So that's confirmed she's got a pneumothorax on that side.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41So, well done. Good call.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45Paul has discovered that one lung has already collapsed.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49He needs to make the opening larger to make sure there is no pressure
0:17:49 > 0:17:53- on Natalie's other lung. - There we are.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55I can feel the lung. She's basically stable now.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59We've got control of her, given her an anaesthetic, taken control of her breathing.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02Identified some life-threatening injuries in her chest.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04The paramedics have stabilised her.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08In addition, we've opened up a small window into the chest cavity to release any pressure and blood.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12There was a lot of air trapped there. It's now more stable now.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15They can take to hospital, get her scanned and see what's going on in her head.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20The police have cordoned off the road
0:18:20 > 0:18:22and have been interviewing witnesses.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24The accident happened on a bend.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26Natalie came off before the bike slowed.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32There is no suggestion from the witnesses at this stage
0:18:32 > 0:18:35that excessive high speed is a factor.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37The speed was around about the speed limit.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40But no suggestion that that speed has dropped off.
0:18:46 > 0:18:51- OK.- Are you good to go?- Yeah, I'm good to go, yeah. We're happy here.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55We are in the middle of nowhere here. The nearest hospitals aren't multi-specialty hospitals.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57So we're going to take her to the unit that has
0:18:57 > 0:19:00head and chest specialists to better treat her injuries.
0:19:02 > 0:19:03Paul will travel with Natalie,
0:19:03 > 0:19:07monitoring her condition throughout the short flight.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09Are you happy you've got everything?
0:19:09 > 0:19:12Yeah, 30 seconds, I'll be hot to trot.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17The neurological unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital are on stand by,
0:19:17 > 0:19:19awaiting Natalie's arrival.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24I'm delighted to say we have been joined
0:19:24 > 0:19:27by two of the heroes of that rescue team, Paul Rees and Kevin Watts.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31Welcome, gentlemen. It was a real team effort, I have to say.
0:19:31 > 0:19:32Everybody helping out.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34But just put in perspective for everyone at home,
0:19:34 > 0:19:37how lucky that girl was that you were in the area.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40- Because you don't normally go on that route, Kevin.- I don't, no.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43We'd been stopping at friends in Wiltshire
0:19:43 > 0:19:45and we'd just been returning home,
0:19:45 > 0:19:47via the kennels to collect the dog.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50Normally we'd have gone down the motorway.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53But it was such a nice day, we decided to go down the country roads
0:19:53 > 0:19:57- which put us through Marlborough and down that bypass.- And that's not your normal area either.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01Normally in Hampshire. We happened to be at an incident on the A34.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04The helicopter desk heard the incident and asked us to go
0:20:04 > 0:20:05and have a look in case we were needed.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09- As it turns out we were. - Very, very lucky. And lucky you got to her so quickly.
0:20:09 > 0:20:10When you saw her lying there,
0:20:10 > 0:20:13most of the people at home are told, don't touch the body,
0:20:13 > 0:20:16don't move her because you might cause more injuries.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- But obviously you had no other choice.- No, that's correct.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23Because Natalie had stopped breathing,
0:20:23 > 0:20:25the moving of her took priority.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28You have to keep her alive. You took the helmet off, made sure her breathing was OK.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31- Indeed.- You did a great job. - Absolutely key what he did.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35Without him doing that, I think we would have had a very different outcome here.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38Paul, you were on the scene very quickly.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40You had a team there helping you.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44It was a real team effort and you needed so much help.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46You know, all the help here is appreciated.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49We had an ambulance crew on scene who'd called for helicopter backup.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51So we had a lot of our resources deployed there.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53But a big team effort.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57And controlling that situation, getting her stable for hospital took a lot of activity.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59- You must have seen a lot of accidents?- Yes.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01And a lot of very poorly people.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04- Absolutely.- I mean, how serious were Natalie's injuries?
0:21:04 > 0:21:06These were life-threatening injuries.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09Even if we were able to get her so she could survive the accident,
0:21:09 > 0:21:11there was no guarantee that she'd survive it
0:21:11 > 0:21:13with a decent quality of life.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17- So certainly potentially life-changing injuries. - Have any of you seen her?
0:21:17 > 0:21:19Yeah, I saw her before Christmas, actually.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21I was coming home from work, it put me
0:21:21 > 0:21:23past the stables that she works at
0:21:23 > 0:21:26so I dropped her Christmas card in, rather than putting it in the post.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29It was wonderful to see her. She looked so well.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31- She made cup of tea for you? - Oh, yes.- A bit of a kiss, I hope.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34- I think she did.- You haven't seen her?- Not at all, no.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37We've got a treat for both of you because we will see Natalie
0:21:37 > 0:21:42a little bit later on and you WILL be amazed to see how well she is.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48Real fires, as opposed to electric or gas fires,
0:21:48 > 0:21:49are more popular than ever.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52They're better for the environment and they can save you money, but,
0:21:52 > 0:21:57when they're not fitted properly, the whole house can be in danger.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59SIREN WAILS
0:21:59 > 0:22:02It's late on a cold, wintry Sunday.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05Firefighters are heading out to an emergency call from a woman who
0:22:05 > 0:22:09has reported one wall of the house is so hot, there must be a fire.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13I don't know what made me suddenly feel the wall.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16I felt it was very hot in here, and when I touched the wall,
0:22:16 > 0:22:19it was so incredibly hot, I just didn't know what to do,
0:22:19 > 0:22:23so I phoned my daughter, and she said to phone 999.
0:22:23 > 0:22:28The crews are recording temperatures of nearly 70 degrees centigrade
0:22:28 > 0:22:31in the wall above the wood-burning stove.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33We've arrived to find the walls are extremely hot.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36We've taken the temperature
0:22:36 > 0:22:39in various positions on the wall
0:22:39 > 0:22:42and we've had a look up into the roof space, again, it's very hot.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45The stove has been fitted a number of years ago,
0:22:45 > 0:22:48but I don't think it's been fitted correctly, to be honest.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51Outside, there are no signs of a fire in the chimney.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56There's only one way to find out what's going on.
0:22:56 > 0:23:01Sean and his team need to remove the stove and look up the chimney.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04If we can get that asbestos string out...
0:23:05 > 0:23:07- It's loose.- Loose?
0:23:09 > 0:23:11- That is scary. - That's your fire stop.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13That is scary.
0:23:14 > 0:23:19- It's not even secured.- The flue doesn't even go through the plate.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22This was just sat on top of the hood of the stove.
0:23:23 > 0:23:28Basically, this is the barrier between the chimney and the stove. That was it.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32So the flue doesn't run from the stove up into the chimney.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35There's no flue attached to that fire. That fire is just sat in there.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Which I think is quite dangerous, really.
0:23:38 > 0:23:45Heat generated from a wood-burner can reach temperatures of 350 degrees centigrade.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47To protect the structure of the house from this heat,
0:23:47 > 0:23:51the chimney needs a flue or a liner for insulation.
0:23:51 > 0:23:52In Sue's house,
0:23:52 > 0:23:56the intensely hot air is billowing up an unprotected chimney.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58See that centre spigot?
0:23:58 > 0:24:02From a fire-fighting perspective, it's quite an interesting job.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06Obviously, not so good for the lady, the occupier of the house.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10But it's like being a detective, working out how the stove was fitted
0:24:10 > 0:24:12and the best way to take the stove out,
0:24:12 > 0:24:14- causing the least amount of damage. - Mind your heads.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16That's not too heavy, actually.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Take that outside as well.
0:24:21 > 0:24:22- All right?- Yep.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27See what we can bring down, yeah.
0:24:27 > 0:24:28Now the stove is out,
0:24:28 > 0:24:32the firefighters can get a good look inside the chimney.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35- What was the temperature on the wall?- It was 60.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39You've got a flue up to about that height, then it goes off,
0:24:39 > 0:24:43so you've got a cylindrical flue, then it just opens up
0:24:43 > 0:24:45and you can't see above that flue.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49The part liner that goes out into an open chimney is full of soot,
0:24:49 > 0:24:52so we've got to try and get that out and cool the wall.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56Once we know the temperature is cooling, then we'll be happy.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59The heat sensor is still detecting high temperatures on the wall
0:24:59 > 0:25:03and inside. It's now clear Sue's stove wasn't properly fitted.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06She's had a lucky escape.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09You think that they put the things in correctly
0:25:09 > 0:25:11because that's what they do.
0:25:11 > 0:25:16We'll certainly make sure we get somebody who does it properly the next time!
0:25:16 > 0:25:19I'm just thankful that they managed to get the stove out
0:25:19 > 0:25:21and we're still here.
0:25:22 > 0:25:23But the firefighters can't leave
0:25:23 > 0:25:26until they're sure there's no chance of a fire.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28And that could mean a lot of mess.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34We're going to use the stirrup pump and the hose
0:25:34 > 0:25:41and cool the chimney to make sure nothing is alight at the chimney.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44Obviously, we try to do our best to limit damage.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46We've taken the mantelpiece out, we've taken the stove out -
0:25:46 > 0:25:49that will go back in quite easily...
0:25:49 > 0:25:53Although it looks like a lot of damage, it's not.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55You'll probably have this sorted within a day.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58Very gradually, a hose is inserted up the chimney
0:25:58 > 0:26:02and water is pumped out gently, dousing and cooling the hotspots.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07Sue wasn't expecting her Sunday to end like this - her fireplace
0:26:07 > 0:26:10is in pieces, her front room unrecognisable
0:26:10 > 0:26:13and now she's facing the big clear-up alone.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17My husband always manages not to be in England
0:26:17 > 0:26:20when anything drastic happens.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22He's in America, blissfully unaware,
0:26:22 > 0:26:24at the moment.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26SHE LAUGHS
0:26:26 > 0:26:28It was 68, the hottest.
0:26:28 > 0:26:33The temperature has dropped from the high 60s to the mid-40s degrees centigrade.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37I think that's definitely cooler than it was.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41I think we're nearly finished.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44But Sue had only just started with the people who fitted her stove.
0:26:44 > 0:26:49You need to reinstate your stove and it needs to be reinstated properly.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53- Yes.- In compliance with building regulations, because something like that has to be fitted
0:26:53 > 0:26:56in compliance with building regulations.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00- One would have thought that was what it was the first time.- Yes.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02I haven't seen a stove...
0:27:02 > 0:27:05I've been to a lot of chimney fires in my career,
0:27:05 > 0:27:08and quite a few involving wood-burning stoves.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12I've never seen one fitted like that. Bit concerning.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Sue's front room is getting back to normal
0:27:15 > 0:27:18and the boys are even clearing up the masonry dust.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21We don't like making a mess and we don't like to damage things.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24It's professional pride, really. There you go.
0:27:24 > 0:27:29Well, it could have been serious and thankfully, they've been brilliant.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32Yes. Very pleased...
0:27:32 > 0:27:35that I called them.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38Well, I've got somebody here who's dealt with a few chimney fires in his time.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41Wood-burning stoves are a great way of heating your house,
0:27:41 > 0:27:43but actually potentially quite dangerous?
0:27:43 > 0:27:47They can be, if they haven't been properly installed, or you're burning
0:27:47 > 0:27:48the wrong kind of fuel,
0:27:48 > 0:27:52or wood that hasn't been seasoned, so it's still wet.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55OK, so you've got an example of what you should have here. What's this?
0:27:55 > 0:27:57That a chimney liner.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01Basically, your wood-burning stove would be bolted to the bottom of that on a short flue.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04This goes up the chimney, right the way to the top to the chimney pot
0:28:04 > 0:28:08and then have non-combustible material similar to that.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12That surrounds it, so all the heat is contained within the chimney.
0:28:12 > 0:28:16It keeps the chimney sealed and a) prevents any gases seeping
0:28:16 > 0:28:20- through cracks into rooms within your house... - Which is very dangerous.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24Obviously, because it's poisonous and combustible, and also, if you've got a chimney flue,
0:28:24 > 0:28:28it makes the wood burner work more efficiently and effectively.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31Lots of reasons to have it, but mostly, safety.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33With a normal fire, if you haven't got a wood-burner,
0:28:33 > 0:28:36it's OK to not have one of these in your chimney?
0:28:36 > 0:28:39No, if you're using a fireplace you haven't used before,
0:28:39 > 0:28:43or you're opening up an old fireplace or installing any kind of fire,
0:28:43 > 0:28:46the very first thing you need to do is get a qualified
0:28:46 > 0:28:50or competent chimney sweep to inspect the chimney and sweep it.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53You don't know what's up there or how long it's been up there.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56- Anything that is up there is probably combustible.- OK.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59And you've also been to a chimney fire in August - what was going on?
0:28:59 > 0:29:04Went to one a few years ago in August, chap decided that he had some stuff in his garden
0:29:04 > 0:29:07he wanted burning, including an old Christmas tree,
0:29:07 > 0:29:11and he started burning bits of palette and all kinds in his normal fireplace.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14The chimney hadn't been swept for quite some time
0:29:14 > 0:29:18and there was a fire within the chimney flue itself.
0:29:18 > 0:29:22- Lots of lessons to be learned there. - Absolutely.- Tim, thank you. - Thank you.
0:29:25 > 0:29:29An epileptic fit can hit at any time, often without warning
0:29:29 > 0:29:34and for Ben, it happened far away from home, surrounded by strangers.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36SIRENS WAIL
0:29:44 > 0:29:46It's morning rush-hour in Southampton.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49Rapid response paramedic Andy Rudge is pushing through traffic
0:29:49 > 0:29:54to an 18-year-old student who's fallen ill on a university bus.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02- So how long did this last for? - It was at least a minute.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05Ben, take a seat in there. Ben?
0:30:05 > 0:30:08My name's Andy, I'm one of the paramedics.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11That's it, you sit yourself down, buddy, and then we can...
0:30:11 > 0:30:13sort you out.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16Ben has suffered a fit and is feeling very disorientated.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21- Ben?- Yep.- Do you know what's happened to you?
0:30:26 > 0:30:30Do you suffer with epilepsy? You do. OK.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32Andy goes through his regular checks,
0:30:32 > 0:30:35including testing his blood sugar levels.
0:30:35 > 0:30:40I just need to scratch your finger. Just test your blood, all right?
0:30:40 > 0:30:43A low reading could affect his recovery.
0:30:47 > 0:30:52The bus needs to get on its way so Andy takes Ben down to his car,
0:30:52 > 0:30:55where he can carry out the rest of his observations.
0:30:55 > 0:30:56Before giving Ben oxygen,
0:30:56 > 0:31:00Andy needs to check he hasn't bitten his mouth during the fit.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05Open your mouth nice and wide.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10Just pop this over your face, all right?
0:31:15 > 0:31:17Ben's fit was severe.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21There is a possibility he could go into another seizure.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24I think you did bite your tongue, and obviously,
0:31:24 > 0:31:28I'm going to guess you've probably had your mouth on your sleeve.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32It might be easier to slide your arm out. Just slide this arm out...
0:31:32 > 0:31:35Andy is fitting a cannula so that he can treat Ben with drugs
0:31:35 > 0:31:37if his condition worsens.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40You're going to feel a scratch, all right?
0:31:49 > 0:31:51All done. Starting to feel better all the time?
0:31:55 > 0:32:01- So what are you studying, then? Science?- Computer science.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04What year is this for you, your first year?
0:32:06 > 0:32:08Ben lives in halls of residence.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11There's no-one to take care of him there full-time,
0:32:11 > 0:32:13so he'll need to go to hospital for observation.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17- Andy calls for a backup crew. - Do we have any backup, Heather?
0:32:20 > 0:32:22'You can do, if you require it.'
0:32:22 > 0:32:25Yes, we're in a public place, so...
0:32:26 > 0:32:27Yes, please.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31- 'About five minutes.'- Yeah, Roger.
0:32:32 > 0:32:37So do you have any sensation or aura that you're going to have a seizure?
0:32:37 > 0:32:40Any taste, smell, tingle?
0:32:42 > 0:32:47- No? You just... tend to go into a seizure.- Yeah.
0:32:53 > 0:32:57- Ben's got a headache and needs time to recover.- Morning.
0:32:57 > 0:33:01- Hello, are you all right?- Very well. You?- Good, thank you.- Young Ben...
0:33:03 > 0:33:06- Travelling on a bus... - Adam's attending.
0:33:06 > 0:33:12Oh, sorry, Adam. ..went into seizure for about a minute.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15Self resolved. Known history of epilepsy.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17When I turned up, typical postictal.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21Last seizure was about November.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24Ben, what we'll do is, there's an ambulance behind you.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27We'll just take a gentle stroll.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29Ben will be taken to Southampton General Hospital
0:33:29 > 0:33:32where they'll monitor him until he's fully recovered.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35If you'd said Eastleigh and Mum was at home, I'd run you there.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38Ben, do you want to swing your legs out?
0:33:39 > 0:33:42- Studying computer science. - Oh, right. Fantastic.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58Sometime back on Real Rescues we met Emma Holloway,
0:33:58 > 0:34:01a call-taker here at South Central Ambulance,
0:34:01 > 0:34:05when she took a chilling 999 call from the mother of a young baby.
0:34:49 > 0:34:51Wow, what a call!
0:34:51 > 0:34:53Emma, your calm instructions helped the parents to get
0:34:53 > 0:34:57their baby breathing again, which is absolutely amazing in itself.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59The scary thing for you is you've been here
0:34:59 > 0:35:01when you've had a call from your house.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04Yes, I was on dispatch as a dispatch assistant.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07My colleague had gone out for a break.
0:35:07 > 0:35:08My phone number dropped in on the screen
0:35:08 > 0:35:11and I instantly recognised the phone number.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14- You knew that something was going on...- I knew what was going on.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17..with your daughter Katie Ann because she has epilepsy.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20I knew straightaway what was going on and I had to get an ambulance to her.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23You didn't go home, you made sure you finished your job?
0:35:23 > 0:35:26I made sure there was an ambulance on the way before running out of the room.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29Come in, Katie Ann, come and see Mummy.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31Here she is.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34Katie Ann, can you show us your special bracelet that you've got?
0:35:34 > 0:35:36Now she has a special bracelet, doesn't she?
0:35:36 > 0:35:40If anything happens when you're not there, this is a MedicAlert.
0:35:40 > 0:35:42Very precious, I know Katie.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45That's got very crucial information on it.
0:35:45 > 0:35:49Yes, it's got her name, date of birth, any allergies and emergency contact phone numbers.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52Just in case she is out playing with her brothers and sisters.
0:35:52 > 0:35:56Amazingly both of you actually work in and around here in emergency care.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59Your husband took the call when she had her first fit.
0:35:59 > 0:36:03Yes, I called 999, came off the phone to deal with Katie
0:36:03 > 0:36:06but also in the meantime was trying to ring him to let him know
0:36:06 > 0:36:09what was happening but unfortunately I wasn't able to get hold of him
0:36:09 > 0:36:12before control did, and he got the job.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14He must've been terrified when he got that job.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17- I would have thought so, yes. - What happens to her?
0:36:17 > 0:36:19What do you do when you are trying to deal with it?
0:36:19 > 0:36:23She has seizures and my work head switches on.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26It's really surprising that you don't panic until after the event.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29You just have to stay strong and get through it for her sake.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32I know you've been here for ages, Katie Ann, shall I let you go?
0:36:32 > 0:36:35Off you go. Thank you very much for coming to see us.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38- I hope you don't have to make too many of those calls. - So do I! Thank you.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44We've seen today the incredible rescue of Natalie Everall
0:36:44 > 0:36:46after a motorcycle accident.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49She was in pretty bad shape but she looks great now.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52She sits there with a big smile on her face. How are you feeling?
0:36:52 > 0:36:54- Yes, really good, thank you. - You look great.
0:36:54 > 0:36:59I don't really want to do this now, but let's remind ourselves
0:36:59 > 0:37:03- of the state you were in and the fantastic job the rescue team did. - OK.
0:37:03 > 0:37:04SHE MOANS
0:37:04 > 0:37:07It's all right, just hold my hand, darling.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13- Ketamine first.- How many milligrams?
0:37:13 > 0:37:15- All of it.- Just a slow push? - It's a fast push.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18It's a fast push.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20Good. Lovely. Stethoscope.
0:37:20 > 0:37:25- You thought there were some crackles in the chest, did you? - Sounded...yeah.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28We're doing a little procedure now to release any pressure in the chest cavity.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31We'll open the side of the chest. Have you got morphine on you?
0:37:31 > 0:37:34Could you make up 10 and 10 and give her that as well?
0:37:34 > 0:37:37We should hear a hiss if there's anything left in here.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41- Can you see that coming out?- Yep.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44That's confirmed she's got pneumothorax on that side.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46So, well done. Good call.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49Everybody at home wouldn't have heard her talk about
0:37:49 > 0:37:54what actually happened to you there while you were watching the film, you said you were a big wimp!
0:37:54 > 0:37:57- Screaming and shouting. - Yeah, I don't like that bit, no.
0:37:57 > 0:38:01Do you want me to remind you of the injuries that you had?
0:38:01 > 0:38:03If you want to, yeah.
0:38:03 > 0:38:05OK, broken eye socket, broken nose, jaw, wrist, hip,
0:38:05 > 0:38:09had a collapsed lung and suffered a brain haemorrhage.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11Still call yourself a bit of a wimp, moaning?
0:38:11 > 0:38:13Well, yeah, because I was moaning.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15They were doing their best to save my life.
0:38:15 > 0:38:19I don't like the fact that I was making trouble for them, you know?
0:38:19 > 0:38:21Oh! Well, I admire your courage but I think I think I might have
0:38:21 > 0:38:25screamed and cried a little bit myself if I had those sort of injuries.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28- Can you remember that?- No. - How do you feel watching that?
0:38:28 > 0:38:32No, I can't remember any of it. It's odd watching it. It's a bit...
0:38:32 > 0:38:34It's me, I know it's me, but it doesn't remind me of me
0:38:34 > 0:38:39because obviously I've got no memory from the middle of January last year.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42- But the accident happened in March? - Yes, I don't remember anything.
0:38:42 > 0:38:47Were you in a coma, obviously got back to the hospital by helicopter,
0:38:47 > 0:38:49- for three weeks.- Yes.
0:38:49 > 0:38:53So you don't remember, obviously that period or the period before then?
0:38:53 > 0:38:55- No.- Gosh, that must be terrible.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58It's odd because I don't know who I was or what was going on in my life at the time.
0:38:58 > 0:39:02But you are, I'm looking at you now and you look fit and well and you're working.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05- Yes.- Just remind everybody at home you do as a job.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08I'm a head lass for a racing yard.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11I've got to say, getting back from those serious injuries,
0:39:11 > 0:39:14messing around with horses, working with horses,
0:39:14 > 0:39:16is probably the last thing you should be doing, isn't it?
0:39:16 > 0:39:20I don't know. Probably. But, you've got to do what you love.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22- And I love it.- Has it helped you?
0:39:22 > 0:39:23Yes, very much so.
0:39:23 > 0:39:28- Have the horses helped you? - Yes, they have made me... they have got me better.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31And I don't know how but they've got a sixth sense of how I am
0:39:31 > 0:39:36and they don't push me around as much as they normally would do.
0:39:36 > 0:39:42It's weird. I can't explain what it's like, it's just very, very odd.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46Not only am I in shock but your boss, Mick Channon,
0:39:46 > 0:39:48- he's the trainer at your stables, isn't he?- Yes, yes.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50The former England international,
0:39:50 > 0:39:54and he is absolutely amazed that this one is back on a horse.
0:39:54 > 0:39:59She's a good horsewoman and she's pretty stubborn
0:39:59 > 0:40:00and she knows what she wants to do.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03She's got a great, positive attitude towards life
0:40:03 > 0:40:08and I think that that's a massive plus to her recovery.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10She's been positive, she's wanted to get out,
0:40:10 > 0:40:13she's wanted to be normal again, let's put it that way.
0:40:13 > 0:40:18Get back into the swing of things and she's done it fantastically.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20Having heard the details of what she went through,
0:40:20 > 0:40:24you know, I thought 50-1 that she'd ever really get back on a horse
0:40:24 > 0:40:27and it would be at least a year or so until she could come back
0:40:27 > 0:40:29to full work but she proved everyone wrong.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38So life is back to normal? Everything, no side effects?
0:40:38 > 0:40:40- No sense of smell.- Sense of smell?
0:40:40 > 0:40:42Yes, so obviously my taste is down the drains,
0:40:42 > 0:40:45which is annoying because I love cooking!
0:40:45 > 0:40:49People like me cooking for them and I'm like, "I'm sorry if I haven't put enough salt in it."
0:40:49 > 0:40:52Flavours I can't taste so...
0:40:52 > 0:40:56- Well, working in stables I think the sense of smell isn't a bad thing.- Might be a bonus!
0:40:56 > 0:40:59- Let me introduce you to, I don't know whether you remember them.- No.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02- These two.- No. - Of course you do!- Hello.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06This is Paul, who was in that lovely orange vest doing emergency work to you.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10- And Kevin, who I think you saw at Christmas.- Yes. I did, yes.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13I don't know what you want to say to them. I should just leave.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15- How do you feel about seeing these guys?- It's amazing.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17I can't thank them...
0:41:17 > 0:41:20I can't thank these guys and everybody who came to the scene
0:41:20 > 0:41:22and the hospital staff, enough.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25And my friends and family, you all saved my life
0:41:25 > 0:41:28and I don't know how you can repay that.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31There's no words you can put to say thank you.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33There isn't enough you can do, or physically...
0:41:36 > 0:41:40Physically think about that makes you realise what they've done.
0:41:40 > 0:41:45Can you believe that here she is, sitting here and still riding horses?
0:41:45 > 0:41:47It's a brilliant result, isn't it?
0:41:47 > 0:41:50This is when you put the right team and the right kit at the scene,
0:41:50 > 0:41:52this is the outcome you can get so you're living proof that
0:41:52 > 0:41:55when it all works well, it can achieve a brilliant outcome.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58And I've just got to say to you, Kevin,
0:41:58 > 0:42:00thank goodness you went the country route.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02I'm very pleased as well because it's well worth...
0:42:02 > 0:42:07She's a lovely person and I'm really pleased to see her back on horses and enjoying life.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11Well, it's great to see you two. Thank you very much,
0:42:11 > 0:42:13and I tell you what, it's even better to see you,
0:42:13 > 0:42:16sitting there, fit and well. Louise!
0:42:16 > 0:42:19What an amazing story, I want to see the scars, Natalie, what have you got?
0:42:19 > 0:42:21After all these injuries, that - which is nothing.
0:42:21 > 0:42:25And my chest drain. Thanks to this man, here.
0:42:25 > 0:42:30It's a good thing though, isn't it? Could he have done a better job, if he was thinking about it?
0:42:30 > 0:42:33Well, considering the situation, I think I'll have to let him off.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37- On this occasion only!- Exactly, yes. - Lovely to meet you. Well done.
0:42:37 > 0:42:41That's it for Real Rescues. We'll see you next time, goodbye.
0:43:10 > 0:43:13Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd