0:00:00 > 0:00:03Today on Real Rescues, a car fire with a difference.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05This one never left the garage.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08It's too dangerous for the firefighters to go in.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11METALLIC BANGING
0:00:13 > 0:00:17No. If they're going to commit, they're going to let us know first.
0:00:18 > 0:00:22And we meet the women who refused to let her husband die.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25She had his life in her hands.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51Hello, and welcome to Real Rescues
0:00:51 > 0:00:53at the control room of South Western Ambulance.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55We've got plenty of stories to share with you,
0:00:55 > 0:00:58but not nearly as many as the call takers here.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02They have to deal with life or death situations on a daily basis.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04We're going to be chatting to some of them later,
0:01:04 > 0:01:08if we can catch them between the hundreds of calls they'll take during a normal shift.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12On Real Rescues, we celebrate all of the emergency services,
0:01:12 > 0:01:16and it was call to the Fire Service which got Southampton's Green Watch
0:01:16 > 0:01:20racing to an industrial estate just down the road from here.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22SIREN
0:01:25 > 0:01:28The firefighters of Green Watch are heading out
0:01:28 > 0:01:32from their city centre base to an industrial unit on the outskirts.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39Just heard on the radio that the first crew have said
0:01:39 > 0:01:42there's smoke issuing, so we should have a working job.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46They arrived to see a column of smoke pouring out of the roof of a garage,
0:01:46 > 0:01:50and great clouds are escaping from a door at the back of the unit.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53It's clear there's a fierce fire inside.
0:01:56 > 0:02:01There's a car on fire. Looking at it, it's well alight.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03Thick black smoke issuing.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07We've got one jet in already, and two breathing apparatus.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13The entrance is round the back. A firefighter is sent in with a jet.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15Inside the garage are gas cylinders.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18Mickey Smithers is in charge of the scene.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21He needs to find out what is kept and where.
0:02:21 > 0:02:22I don't have any plans.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25I know it inside out, I've owned it for 15 years.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28I can draw you a basic plan of the building.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30I'll be there in five minutes.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33Information about the layout is vital for the crew's safety.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36The fire has already spread to the two garages on either side
0:02:36 > 0:02:40and it's threatening to move along the whole building.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42The fire commanders have to plan their tactics around
0:02:42 > 0:02:45where the potential explosive cylinders are kept.
0:02:53 > 0:02:58Already, there are ominous sounds coming from inside.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00METALLIC BANGING
0:03:00 > 0:03:02There's another one.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08The entire building has been evacuated.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11The crew managers are now limiting how many firefighters
0:03:11 > 0:03:13they're allowing inside.
0:03:13 > 0:03:14But you're not going in.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17Open that up for external fire fighting.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21Try and use as much cover as you can in the building.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23Obviously, you can't be too careful.
0:03:23 > 0:03:28No, they are fighting it from the other side.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31No, if they're going to commit, they're going to let us know first.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35There's so much toxic smoke coming out of the garage,
0:03:35 > 0:03:39Adam Bundle and Ben Sheppard need to be fully kitted out in the breathing apparatus
0:03:39 > 0:03:42before they can even tackle the flames from outside.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50Adam and Ben now target the back window, which is at roof height of the garage.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53The flames keep leaping up.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59There are five fire pumps here and over 20 firefighters.
0:03:59 > 0:04:04They're pouring water on to the fire from the front and back, and from different levels.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07At the moment, it's a bit of a mystery how the fire started.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09As far as we can determine,
0:04:09 > 0:04:13the incident was started by a vehicle parked in one of these garages.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17The fire that came from that has penetrated into the building
0:04:17 > 0:04:21and worked its way up through undetected to a point where
0:04:21 > 0:04:23it's caught the major part of the...
0:04:23 > 0:04:26It's gone all the way up to the roof area internally.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28We've got teams in there at the moment
0:04:28 > 0:04:30going in and removing cylinders
0:04:30 > 0:04:33that are close to but not affected by the fire.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36We're making sure that we reduce the risk
0:04:36 > 0:04:38to our firefighters as much as possible.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40Now the cylinders are out,
0:04:40 > 0:04:43the breathing apparatus crews can be sent in in relays.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47Each crew will stay in for no more than 15 minutes.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51The smoke is becoming much lighter in colour,
0:04:51 > 0:04:53turning from black to a paler grey,
0:04:53 > 0:04:57which suggests that the firefighters are getting on top of it.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01But, despite all the water they've thrown at it, it's not out yet.
0:05:03 > 0:05:04Where?
0:05:04 > 0:05:05Is it?
0:05:09 > 0:05:12Whilst one crew attacks the flames from the front,
0:05:12 > 0:05:15Adrian Cobb and Rob Martin hack their way
0:05:15 > 0:05:17into a fourth adjoining garage
0:05:17 > 0:05:20to see if the fire has spread there, as well.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26And more firefighters are going on to the first floor
0:05:26 > 0:05:28to check for any hotspots up there.
0:05:35 > 0:05:36Richie Green has just come out.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40He was one of the first firefighters to go inside.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43There's about three or four seats of fire.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46And we had to retreat and go back in, retreat and go back in,
0:05:46 > 0:05:49because there was, I think, propane cylinders
0:05:49 > 0:05:50or butane cylinders.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52Everything was on fire, basically.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54I think it did start out as a car fire,
0:05:54 > 0:05:56but that progressed through to the whole of the workshop.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00We heard tyres popping, other things popping whilst we were in there.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03There was fire above us, so we were in gas cooling as we went along,
0:06:03 > 0:06:07then beat back the fires to make our progression through into the unit.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09It was a good fire, as they call it.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14Even when all the flames are out, the firefighters will remain
0:06:14 > 0:06:17at the units to make sure nothing starts up again.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21And a fire investigator will also be around for some time,
0:06:21 > 0:06:24gathering evidence to determine how the fire started.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27Everything's pointing towards an accidental fire.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31It looks like a couple of the workmen were working on a Volvo,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34something to do with the fuel tank.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38We believe the petrol vapours were ignited from an electric drill
0:06:38 > 0:06:42and then the occupier's obviously attempted to put the fire out themselves.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50I said earlier that the call takers here have endless stories to tell,
0:06:50 > 0:06:53but the next story is extraordinary - this is Jenny.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Six weeks ago she took a call which was, for her, all in a day's work.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59But for Pat at the other end of the phone
0:06:59 > 0:07:03it was the most important and terrifying call of her life.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31So, Jenny, at that stage, you're on the phone to Pat, she's clearly doing CPR.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33Doing exactly pretty much as you say, is she?
0:08:33 > 0:08:36Exactly, as I'm saying, spot-on perfect.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39And you needed her to speed up, did you? Why was that?
0:08:39 > 0:08:41Purely for the fact that you need to be doing it
0:08:41 > 0:08:44at as fast a rate as needs be.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47It needs to be as the same sort of rate as your heart would beat,
0:08:47 > 0:08:52to efficiently push the blood around to oxygenate all your organs in the body.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56- So, a very worrying situation, and then the phone went dead.- Yes.
0:08:56 > 0:09:01All I had to do was just ring back and ring back,
0:09:01 > 0:09:04- and obviously there'd been some hiccup in the line...- Yes.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06..so the operator had cleared the line
0:09:06 > 0:09:09and it went straight back through for me on the second attempt.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12But obviously it's minutes, we've got a button on the system
0:09:12 > 0:09:14you just press and it redials straightaway.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17OK, so you got back to her pretty quickly,
0:09:17 > 0:09:20and the good thing was, she was still... What was she doing?
0:09:20 > 0:09:23She was still doing exactly as I was telling her before.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25And counting out loud - why does that help?
0:09:25 > 0:09:28If they count out loud, it's giving something to concentrate on,
0:09:28 > 0:09:31and it means we can monitor exactly what they're doing.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33If they're doing everything in silence,
0:09:33 > 0:09:36sometimes people don't actually do what you're telling them,
0:09:36 > 0:09:39and it's not being as effective as it needs to be.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41That's why, as I say, you need to be doing it a bit faster,
0:09:41 > 0:09:44because we could see how fast she was doing it.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46Shall we have a listen?
0:10:13 > 0:10:15Pat was extremely determined.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17After what must have seemed an eternity to her,
0:10:17 > 0:10:20the paramedics arrived, but the drama continued.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22They had to shock him.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01Goodness me. Here is David and here is the amazing Pat.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04You are one determined person, aren't you?
0:11:04 > 0:11:07Oh, yes, without a doubt.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10Just extraordinary, the way you were counting.
0:11:10 > 0:11:11Was the counting helping you, as well?
0:11:11 > 0:11:16Oh, yes, kept me focused. That's part and parcel of it, isn't it?
0:11:16 > 0:11:20The CPR, you do the one, two, three, and that keeps you focused.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23You've been married some years - you know she's very determined.
0:11:23 > 0:11:24Oh, yes. Very determined lady.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28When you heard that tape, what were you thinking?
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Well, because I don't remember anything at all,
0:11:31 > 0:11:34so the first time I heard it I was a little a bit emotional.
0:11:34 > 0:11:35Of course.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38But she's determined to keep me going!
0:11:38 > 0:11:40- She was having none of it. - No, she wasn't.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42And what had happened?
0:11:42 > 0:11:45You'd been watching TV together earlier in the evening?
0:11:45 > 0:11:48Yes, it was a typical Saturday night, really.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51We watched Casualty and watched the news,
0:11:51 > 0:11:55then I was going to leave him to watch the football...
0:11:55 > 0:11:56As many people do.
0:11:56 > 0:12:01I was going off to bed and he just turned round and collapsed. on the floor.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03So, saying nothing?
0:12:03 > 0:12:06There was absolutely no warning at all.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10He just sort of turned round and slid down on the floor.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13- So, from watching Casualty we had a real live...- Absolutely.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17And, luckily, you'd had some training previously, had you?
0:12:17 > 0:12:21Yeah, about 15 years ago I did a first aid course
0:12:21 > 0:12:25when I was at work, so I had learnt how to do CPR,
0:12:25 > 0:12:27- so I was really fortunate. - But you had help, didn't you?
0:12:27 > 0:12:30From someone who I know you'd really like to meet.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34If I can call her over, Jenny, who I was speaking to earlier, she's on a break now.
0:12:34 > 0:12:35Come in, Jenny.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37I can't wait to meet her.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39- This is Pat. - Hello, nice to meet you.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- I am so pleased to meet you. - Nice to meet you.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45Oh, gosh, I couldn't have done it without you.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47You did brilliantly, absolutely brilliantly.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51- I've never ever heard anyone do CPR the way you did it.- Really?
0:12:51 > 0:12:54You did it, textbook case, it was absolutely brilliant.
0:12:54 > 0:12:59Well, I'd had had practice on... Who's the one?
0:12:59 > 0:13:01Resusci Anne.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04David, I know you particularly wanted to meet Jenny
0:13:04 > 0:13:06and say thank you to everyone involved that day, as well.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09I certainly do, I'm going to start with Jenny,
0:13:09 > 0:13:12and then the response people that came so quickly,
0:13:12 > 0:13:18so quickly they arrived, apparently, they're so professional people.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22They managed to get me stabilised to go into the hospital,
0:13:22 > 0:13:26and while I'm here I've really got to thank Royal Bournemouth Hospital,
0:13:26 > 0:13:30because the Accident Unit Department I went to, was it?
0:13:30 > 0:13:31Yeah, the CC unit.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33And now you have been treated you got a defibrillator.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35- Are you going to show us that?- I...
0:13:35 > 0:13:37- Come on!- If it's a sight you'd like to see!
0:13:37 > 0:13:40- It's under your skin, isn't it? - Yeah.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42Let's have a look, show the people at home.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46- All right, then, let's have a look. - And this is only weeks ago, isn't it?
0:13:46 > 0:13:48That's where it is, just there.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50That was put in about four weeks ago now,
0:13:50 > 0:13:55and that's just under the skin there, so we know it's there,
0:13:55 > 0:13:59and I go back on Friday to get my first results on it.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01Well, lots of luck, and, Pat, you know,
0:14:01 > 0:14:04if we could all have your determination, that'd be fantastic.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07Well, if there's one important thing anybody should learn
0:14:07 > 0:14:10in their life, if you just learn CPR.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13And call 999, cos you get someone like this on the end of the phone.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15Thank you.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17- Absolutely.- 999 was very good.
0:14:17 > 0:14:18Thank you very much.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Well, we've all seen David's chest and that defibrillator.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24It is only about the size of a mobile phone,
0:14:24 > 0:14:26- but it does a lot of good, doesn't it, Lee?- Certainly does.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28What does it do?
0:14:28 > 0:14:31Basically, it's designed to monitor the cardiac rhythm
0:14:31 > 0:14:33and, if the rhythm becomes disturbed
0:14:33 > 0:14:38or is a shockable rhythm, it will deliver a small electric shock.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41- You'd feel it?- Oh, without question, it'd give you a bit of whack.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44A bit of whack and the heart goes.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46Now, we've heard about pacemakers -
0:14:46 > 0:14:48what does a pacemaker do that's different?
0:14:48 > 0:14:51A pacemaker is designed to monitor the rhythm of the heart,
0:14:51 > 0:14:56and if it goes below a certain level or becomes irregular
0:14:56 > 0:14:58it's designed to give a small impulse
0:14:58 > 0:15:02to try and get the heart to beat normally at a normal rhythm.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05- So it's not quite as much of a... - No, not at all.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08And I suppose if you went to the airport with a pacemaker
0:15:08 > 0:15:10or defibrillator, it'll send the alarm off?
0:15:10 > 0:15:13Yeah, from the information I've received, that's correct.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17I believe you've got to have a certificate to go through the airport.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19Probably not a great idea to go through an X-ray
0:15:19 > 0:15:21with a defibrillator, but thanks very much.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25It's always a nightmare when you're caught in the rain wearing the wrong clothes or shoes,
0:15:25 > 0:15:28however you don't expect it to be dangerous.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31Who would have thought that a pleasant stroll around a beauty spot
0:15:31 > 0:15:34could be ruined by the wrong shoes?
0:15:34 > 0:15:37SIRENS
0:15:38 > 0:15:43Volunteers of Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team are heading out to an emergency
0:15:43 > 0:15:45by the side of Crymych Lake.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49The nearest parking spot is over a mile away from the water's edge.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52A mile that has to be covered on foot,
0:15:52 > 0:15:55carrying emergency equipment and at a run.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57Mike Park is team leader.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02The footage is being recorded on his helmet camera.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06Make sure that they're aware that the helimed was needed
0:16:06 > 0:16:09on another job, and that we will require, will require,
0:16:09 > 0:16:11that land ambulance.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Yeah, that will be belt and braces for me, John, over.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20Somewhere on the four miles of the lake's shoreline a young woman
0:16:20 > 0:16:23has fallen and is suffering from a serious leg injury,
0:16:23 > 0:16:26but the air ambulance has failed to spot her,
0:16:26 > 0:16:30and now it's down to the local knowledge of the mountain rescuers.
0:16:30 > 0:16:31'You try to pace yourself'
0:16:31 > 0:16:34when you don't know where they are, but once you know where they are,
0:16:34 > 0:16:36it's everybody rushing in as fast as they can.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39The first thing that obviously goes through your mind,
0:16:39 > 0:16:41"This is only a mile so we can run all the way."
0:16:41 > 0:16:43Although they don't have any steep climbs,
0:16:43 > 0:16:46on this rescue it's rough and muddy terrain.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49And what started off as a bright Autumn day
0:16:49 > 0:16:53is rapidly turning into a cold and stormy one.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02The first rescuers to find the woman have erected the yellow tent,
0:17:02 > 0:17:05but it's not just a good landmark.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08In these conditions, there's a real danger of hypothermia
0:17:08 > 0:17:09setting in to the casualty.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Local girl Emma Range was on a lakeside walk with her friend
0:17:23 > 0:17:26when she slipped on the waterlogged ground
0:17:26 > 0:17:28and actually heard her ankle crack.
0:17:28 > 0:17:33Instead of her usual walking boots, Emma was wearing soft,
0:17:33 > 0:17:37fashion boots with no ankle support.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39She told us that she'd actually just bought a new pair of walking
0:17:39 > 0:17:44boots a couple of days earlier, but she didn't want to get them dirty.
0:17:44 > 0:17:45Emma was with her friend, Sophia,
0:17:45 > 0:17:48who's been helping to keep her spirits up.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55Her rescuers have already given her gas and air to ease her pain,
0:17:55 > 0:17:58and they've splinted her ankle.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15Now that the pain relief is taking effect,
0:18:15 > 0:18:17Emma's coping well with the injury.
0:18:38 > 0:18:43The pathway down is very slippery even with the right footwear.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53For the first part of the journey the ground is too rough to
0:18:53 > 0:18:56put their single wheel under the stretcher.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00But as the path levels out, it's able to take some of the strain.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15Emma will be taken the rest of the way to A&E by land ambulance.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17Once there, her ankle will be X-rayed to thoroughly assess
0:19:17 > 0:19:21the damage those fashion boots have caused.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25I'm not sure if it really was the shoes that she tripped over,
0:19:25 > 0:19:28maybe it happened because she was laughing at that panda hat.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32However, Emma hasn't been put off the lakes. We caught up with her a few days ago.
0:19:32 > 0:19:37The ground was very waterlogged, it was sort of like marsh land,
0:19:37 > 0:19:39and we were walking along, slipping quite a lot.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41All of a sudden I slipped and just heard this pop,
0:19:41 > 0:19:44and I thought, that doesn't sound good.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48Emma did turn out to have a broken ankle, but her fall might
0:19:48 > 0:19:52never have happened if she'd only been wearing more appropriate shoes.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55I always think if I'd just put my walking boots on,
0:19:55 > 0:19:58although they don't look as nice, I would have just saved myself
0:19:58 > 0:20:01so much trouble, I wouldn't have gone through all the pain
0:20:01 > 0:20:06and wouldn't have caused the trouble for mountain rescue.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10Without them, she would have been lying cold and injured by the lakeside a lot longer.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14They were absolutely amazing, and I just want to say a massive thank you,
0:20:14 > 0:20:17cos they're all volunteers as well, no-one gets paid for it.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20And the sort of things that I do in my spare time are nothing
0:20:20 > 0:20:24to what they do, and I just want to say a massive thank you.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27Now, you probably saw members of the Cockermouth mountain rescue
0:20:27 > 0:20:31team yomping all of that kit up the hill, it looked really hard work.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34But it would have been a lot easier if they had one of these.
0:20:34 > 0:20:35Just take a look at that.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39Looks pretty impressive, I have no idea what it is, but Rob is just about to tell me.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42It says here, "from the heart team", what's the heart team first of all?
0:20:42 > 0:20:44We're from the Hazard Air Response Team
0:20:44 > 0:20:46from South Central Ambulance Service,
0:20:46 > 0:20:49so we go into places where paramedics couldn't have gone before.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52Oh, I love that, where men couldn't go before.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55What's so special about this piece of kit here then?
0:20:55 > 0:20:59This is a Polaris six by six, all terrain vehicle, so it gives us the capability
0:20:59 > 0:21:02of getting to people we couldn't have got to, and being able
0:21:02 > 0:21:05to move them safely from where they are to where we want them to be.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09Which is probably a really useful bit of kit in this particular area, right?
0:21:09 > 0:21:12Yeah, it's definitely come into its own within our area,
0:21:12 > 0:21:15we've got a lot of woodland and farmers fields on our patch,
0:21:15 > 0:21:18got quite long distances, we would have had to carry people over.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20Whereas now we can put them on this and move them.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23You've got horse-riders, mountain-bikers, has this been in action recently?
0:21:23 > 0:21:27Yeah, definitely, we've got a bit of woodland just by where we're stationed,
0:21:27 > 0:21:32and we do a seven week rota where I'm on duty on days on the weekend, and we're always in that forest.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35Getting people out, horse-riders, scramblers,
0:21:35 > 0:21:37and people on mountain cycles.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40Um, last time we were on duty there,
0:21:40 > 0:21:42a mountain biker came off and punctured his lung,
0:21:42 > 0:21:46we managed to get him out and safe and doing very well out of it.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49Fantastic, this car's got everything, look at that,
0:21:49 > 0:21:52even a coffee holder, no coffee in there cos you're on duty.
0:21:52 > 0:21:53I'm just looking in the back here,
0:21:53 > 0:21:56poor, old Elaine looks as if she's in prison.
0:21:56 > 0:21:57But this is a very important part of it.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00Now, I'm taking it, when you get to a patient you don't treat him,
0:22:00 > 0:22:03or her, in here, you treat them on the ground, right?
0:22:03 > 0:22:05No, we get into the back of here,
0:22:05 > 0:22:09we travel to wherever the patient may be, and we treat them on scene.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11Make them as comfortable as we can,
0:22:11 > 0:22:16then we lift them into the stretcher and make them secure in here,
0:22:16 > 0:22:18and once they're in here, they're not going to go anywhere.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21We will look after them, and we can continue with pain relief
0:22:21 > 0:22:25if we need to, and the purpose of this vehicle is extraction back to the main roadside,
0:22:25 > 0:22:26where we can deliver them.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30You're liaising with the main ambulance to get them back to hospital?
0:22:30 > 0:22:32Absolutely, we're in radio contact all the time.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35Because HART tends to work in either four- or six-man teams,
0:22:35 > 0:22:39so, um, there's only two of us that would go down to the patient
0:22:39 > 0:22:42unless it's multiple casualties.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45But with one casualty, we would bring one back with two teams,
0:22:45 > 0:22:50and then we would meet them at the roadside and deliver them to the main ambulance.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52Is Rob a good driver?
0:22:52 > 0:22:54Um, can't say that on camera, can I?
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Yeah, let's leave it there, thank you very much.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58There's a bit of a walking accident theme today.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00This time, it's a stroll down the High Street.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03Madeleine and her dog, Woody, were minding their own business,
0:23:03 > 0:23:06then Madeleine suddenly had a convulsion.
0:23:08 > 0:23:09Paramedic, Danny Millen,
0:23:09 > 0:23:11and emergency care assistant, Stephen Tucker,
0:23:11 > 0:23:15arrive at the parade of shops where Madeleine has collapsed.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19I spoke to her daughter, she's not epileptic
0:23:19 > 0:23:22- but she's got a history of blacking out recently.- OK.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25- That's the medication she's on. - Excellent.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28She was literally walking past with her dog.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30- Right, daughter's on her way from Ferndown.- Right.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34Police and passers by are all trying to help her out.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38Hello, Madeleine, hi, Madeleine, it's the paramedics now, OK?
0:23:38 > 0:23:41- She hasn't spoken.- OK.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45When she fell to the floor, Madeleine grazed the back of her head.
0:23:46 > 0:23:47How's that?
0:23:47 > 0:23:49- There's a little bit.- OK.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Madeleine, can you open your eyes for me?
0:23:52 > 0:23:54Madeleine is unresponsive.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57Can you squeeze my hands for me?
0:23:57 > 0:23:59- Can you move your legs? - She hasn't spoken since the fall.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03When a district nurse found Madeleine, she was fitting.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07She was having a tonic episode.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10OK, how long do you think that lasted for?
0:24:10 > 0:24:14- Um, about 15 or 20 seconds, I would say.- Right.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18Madeleine was walking her dog, Woody, at the time.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21We're going to get you up off the floor now, all right?
0:24:21 > 0:24:24Danny needs to get her in to the ambulance to carry out more
0:24:24 > 0:24:25tests and get Madeleine warm.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27OK, everyone ready?
0:24:27 > 0:24:29One, two, three.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31Up we get.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Go on her side, that's excellent.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38Brilliant.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41If we can get that on cos I think she's quite cold.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47Woody is being cared for by the police.
0:25:04 > 0:25:05If we, um...
0:25:07 > 0:25:09If I straighten her, that'll be handy.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13Madeleine, do you know where you are?
0:25:13 > 0:25:16In the ambulance, Madeleine is starting to become more aware,
0:25:16 > 0:25:17but she's confused.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21Who do you think I am? Do you know what's happened?
0:25:21 > 0:25:22No.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27It sounds like you might have had a bit of a fit.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31You're in Cunningham Crescent.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33Danny takes her blood pressure
0:25:33 > 0:25:37but Madeleine tries to pull the arm pad off.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41Just relax your arms, just, you're a bit confused.
0:25:41 > 0:25:42What's your date of birth?
0:25:42 > 0:25:48Eight of the ninth, '38.
0:25:48 > 0:25:49Sorry?
0:25:49 > 0:25:51Eight of the ninth, '38.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55- And how old does that make you, Madeleine?- Um.
0:25:55 > 0:26:00The fit has left Madeleine unable to answer even the most basic questions.
0:26:01 > 0:26:0293.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05Oh, I don't think you're going to be 93.
0:26:06 > 0:26:07Her daughter, Suzanne, arrives,
0:26:07 > 0:26:11she's able to give a bit more detail about what may have happened.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14She's a bit confused at the moment.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18Two or three weeks ago she went through a similar thing, um,
0:26:18 > 0:26:21went all faint, she was sick down herself and passed out,
0:26:21 > 0:26:24- she was with her sisters at home at that time.- OK.
0:26:24 > 0:26:29And paramedics came out and she had low blood pressure.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32Right. Well, it sounds a little bit more serious than that,
0:26:32 > 0:26:36it sounds like she's had a convulsion.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40Like a fit, and then gone down to the floor.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43There was a district nurse who saw it all happen.
0:26:43 > 0:26:48Madeleine lives with her daughter so it's vital that they get to the bottom of what has happened.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52She has banged the back of her head on the way down.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55So, she needs to be checked out.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59But everything else seems to be OK at the moment,
0:26:59 > 0:27:05she's got the oxygen on, her oxygen saturation is a little bit low.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08But that could be because her hands are cold, it could be because she's
0:27:08 > 0:27:11moving her fingers, so we're just giving her a little bit of oxygen.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14We're going to take you down to hospital.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18I'm fine, I'm fine.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21Suzanne has one outstanding question.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24Can I ask a daft question, what's happened to the dog?
0:27:24 > 0:27:27Ah, the police are taking the dog home.
0:27:27 > 0:27:32And they're going to give the dog some food and leave it at home.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34All right? You have banged the back of your head,
0:27:34 > 0:27:37so, that's probably quite sore.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40Any kind of fit is exhausting for the body and the brain,
0:27:40 > 0:27:42Madeleine will need lots of rest.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45On the way to hospital she's still confused.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48No, your daughter, do you remember seeing your daughter
0:27:48 > 0:27:49- while we were there?- No.
0:27:49 > 0:27:54Your daughter's following down in the car. All right?
0:27:54 > 0:27:57As she starts to recover, Madeleine's got one thing on her mind.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00Woody's welfare.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03He was very protective of you, but he's safe and sound now.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06He's been arrested by the police, dragged off in handcuffs.
0:28:06 > 0:28:07I bet he was, yeah.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11We've spoken to Madeleine and she is feeling fine,
0:28:11 > 0:28:14although what caused her convulsion is still a mystery.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17Strange call came in that Natalie knows about.
0:28:17 > 0:28:18- Hello, there, you OK to talk? - Hello, yes.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20- You got a call from a mum?- I did.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22And she was having an allergic reaction, but why?
0:28:22 > 0:28:25Basically, her daughter had just given her a kiss,
0:28:25 > 0:28:29and she's just been eating peanuts, um, and so that caused mum to have
0:28:29 > 0:28:32an allergic reaction, because she was allergic to peanuts.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35- And that is how severe allergies can be?- It was, yeah.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37And she didn't have an epipen available,
0:28:37 > 0:28:40because normally you have epipens which administer adrenaline.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43- Yes.- Didn't have one of those, so we just kept her calm.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46Was that the first time she'd had that kind of reaction?
0:28:46 > 0:28:47I believe so. Yeah.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49It was? Gosh, that sounds extremely unusual.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51But if that does happen, we call you, do we?
0:28:51 > 0:28:54Yeah, call us, and some people who have known allergies,
0:28:54 > 0:28:58they have epipens, that can be administered, but on this occasion she didn't have one.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01- Just from a little kiss?- Yeah, just from a kiss from her daughter.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03- Aww.- Which is a bit unfortunate.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05- Thanks, Natalie.- That's all right.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10Still to come on Real Rescues,
0:29:10 > 0:29:13he's used to saving lives as a firefighter, but we're talking
0:29:13 > 0:29:17to him today about one rescue which was beyond the call of duty.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20James wasn't having a good day,
0:29:20 > 0:29:23a trip to the hospital was followed by this.
0:29:23 > 0:29:24- You've just has dialysis, have you? - Yeah.
0:29:24 > 0:29:26OK, is that a weekly thing for you?
0:29:26 > 0:29:29- Three times a week. - Three times a week, OK.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34We all know that taking part in sport can be dangerous.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38Football, rugby, rock climbing, but table tennis?
0:29:42 > 0:29:45An emergency call has come in from a church hall in Poole,
0:29:45 > 0:29:49the nearest ambulance is just around the corner.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54On board are Steve Massy and Rob Millen, it's a quiet,
0:29:54 > 0:29:57residential area, there's not a vehicle on the road.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01They arrive at the church hall in moments.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04Hello? Nice and quick, how are you doing?
0:30:04 > 0:30:06Where were you, just round the corner?
0:30:06 > 0:30:07Just round the corner, yeah.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10Their patient is lying where he fell, the crew have been
0:30:10 > 0:30:13told that the man has hurt his head and may have concussion.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15- What's your name? - Michael Beazley.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19Hello, Michael, so, what happened to you today?
0:30:19 > 0:30:23I came off the table, my feet didn't grip the floor
0:30:23 > 0:30:25and I went straight in to this.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28Michael's chosen his team mates well, his friend, Eddie,
0:30:28 > 0:30:30is a retired doctor.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32He didn't lose consciousness at all.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35Good, other than being a bit dazed, he was fully with it?
0:30:35 > 0:30:37- Yes, he's got a nasty cut. - Any other pain anywhere?
0:30:37 > 0:30:40- In your neck, or in your back? - Just in the knee.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42Michael's knee has taken a bit of a bashing as well.
0:30:42 > 0:30:48- No pain in your neck at all?- No.- No pain down the middle of your back?
0:30:48 > 0:30:50Try not to move around too much.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52Before he can move Michael, paramedic, Steve,
0:30:52 > 0:30:54needs to check his neck, back and spine.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56Can I just have a little press, just tell me
0:30:56 > 0:31:00- if you feel pain where I'm touching.- No.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02Before we get you up and move you around
0:31:02 > 0:31:05I just want to get your blood pressure, cos you are a bit clammy.
0:31:05 > 0:31:09Michael is a fit, 76-year-old, but any patient who suffered
0:31:09 > 0:31:13a head injury is at risk of concussion, or even more serious internal injuries.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16Paramedic, Steve, wants to check his blood pressure.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19So, were you winning?
0:31:19 > 0:31:22No, I don't know, it's not an excuse if we weren't.
0:31:22 > 0:31:23Ah, yeah.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26That's going to go tighter on your arm.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29Michael's well enough to walk to the ambulance.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32But they have to take things very slowly.
0:31:32 > 0:31:34OK, that seems fine.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36What we'll do then, Michael, very gently,
0:31:36 > 0:31:38we'll just help you sit forwards.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40- Yeah.- See how you are sat up.
0:31:43 > 0:31:44So, how's that feeling?
0:31:44 > 0:31:46Oh, all right.
0:31:46 > 0:31:50When you feel ready, my colleague and I will help you to your feet.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52Michael's feeling better.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57Now he can be patched up in the ambulance.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02Inside, Steve's getting a closer look at the cut,
0:32:02 > 0:32:04the only other visible injury is on his knee.
0:32:04 > 0:32:09- You're quite lucky, really, that's quite a sturdy stage set to fall against.- Yeah.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12Very superficial, the only reason it's sort of split a bit
0:32:12 > 0:32:14- is where the swelling's come up a bit.- Yeah.
0:32:14 > 0:32:19So, we'll hold that together with a few paper stitches and then everything should be fine.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22I'll just pull it across. Like so.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24With his wound stuck together and cleaned up,
0:32:24 > 0:32:28Michael's personal medical team check up on him.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30I'll give you a ring later, all right?
0:32:30 > 0:32:32Thank you, Eddie, yes, thank you very much.
0:32:32 > 0:32:34All right, see you, bye bye.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37But suddenly, Michael feels unwell.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41I felt a bit, uh, sick again just now, but I feel all right now.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43Your blood pressure's a little bit low.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46It's certainly lower than what it was inside.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49I'm starting to sweat again now as well.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52That would be because your blood pressure's taken a little tumble.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55The crew can't risk Michael driving himself
0:32:55 > 0:32:59until they're convinced nothing more serious is going on.
0:32:59 > 0:33:04They're going to give him a full MOT just to make sure the fall wasn't caused by anything else.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06The risk is you having another collapse,
0:33:06 > 0:33:09and if you do that at the wheel of your car then someone will be
0:33:09 > 0:33:13certainly after my guts for garters.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18They check his heart, then take his blood pressure in different
0:33:18 > 0:33:21positions, lying, sitting and finally.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25- It's like waiting for your lottery numbers to come in.- Yeah.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27Standing.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30- You're quite a fit chap, you're obviously quite healthy.- Yeah.
0:33:30 > 0:33:34Far healthier than I probably am.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37Michael has the all-clear to get behind the wheel, it shouldn't be
0:33:37 > 0:33:42long before he's well enough to get back to that table tennis table.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45- Thanks very much.- All the best then, Michael, take care.
0:33:45 > 0:33:46Bye-bye, then.
0:33:48 > 0:33:53We're always telling you about the hundreds of calls that centres like this take every day.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56What we don't tell you is that they're not always grown ups.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00- I'm going to see if I can chat to Natalie. Natalie, is it all right to talk?- Yes, fine, thank you.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04You received a phone call from a young child, what had happened?
0:34:04 > 0:34:08Mum had had a gardening accident and lost some fingers.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11My goodness, so this young child phoned you up.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13And said, "Mummy's in real trouble."
0:34:13 > 0:34:18"Mummy's in really bad trouble, she's lost some fingers and I don't know what to do."
0:34:18 > 0:34:21- So, what did you tell her? - Mum was feeling quite faint,
0:34:21 > 0:34:23so I got her to lie Mum on the floor,
0:34:23 > 0:34:27and I got her mum to hold her arm up and wrap her hand up in a tea towel.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30- To stop the bleeding? - To stop the bleeding, yeah.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33- What next?- The child decided that she wanted to go into the garden,
0:34:33 > 0:34:36which was the best thing to do, and look for the fingers.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38So, if they could possibly sew them back on?
0:34:38 > 0:34:41Then the best thing is to have the fingers.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44- What a remarkable thing to do.- She was amazing, she stayed really calm
0:34:44 > 0:34:47and patient and did everything I asked her to do.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49Then the ambulance turned up and took her away?
0:34:49 > 0:34:51Took her to hospital, yeah.
0:34:51 > 0:34:55Do you get lots of calls from young children when Mum and Dad are in trouble?
0:34:55 > 0:34:58That's my first one that I've had.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00Did you worry, does it panic you?
0:35:00 > 0:35:05Not really, because she was so calm, it's unusual for such a young child,
0:35:05 > 0:35:07she was really, really calm.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09I was going to say, the young child was calmer than you.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12Yeah, yeah, and she just did everything I asked her to do.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15- She did a brilliant job, well, thank You. I'll let you get back to work. - Thank you.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18Now, most people plan to have their babies in hospitals,
0:35:18 > 0:35:20but it doesn't always happen that way,
0:35:20 > 0:35:22and a lot of the calls come in to here.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24If it's not going to happen that way.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28Sharon, you can tell me about one mother-to-be, on her way in a car.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32Yes, absolutely, we took a phone call from a couple who were
0:35:32 > 0:35:35making their way to hospital as the lady had gone in to labour.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37They were trying desperately to make it there,
0:35:37 > 0:35:40but the labour was progressing really swiftly.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43They made it as far as the driveway of the hospital.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45OK.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48And the baby was then delivered with the help of the call taker
0:35:48 > 0:35:53and the advice that was given in the front seat of the car.
0:35:53 > 0:35:59And the irony is, the gentleman had only just picked up a brand-new sports car that morning.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02- No.- So, the baby was delivered in the brand-new sports car.
0:36:02 > 0:36:06That's terrible, I mean, it's lovely for them and everything.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09Was he upset on the phone, or was he delighted to see his new baby?
0:36:09 > 0:36:11He was pleased that his baby had been delivered safely.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13- Yeah.- It just would be that day, wouldn't it?
0:36:13 > 0:36:15Did they go to hospital in the end?
0:36:15 > 0:36:18Yeah, they then made their way along the driveway into the hospital.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20Where the baby was checked over.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22And straight from there to the garage after that to get it cleaned.
0:36:22 > 0:36:26- Absolutely, a nice, deep clean. - Sharon, thanks.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28Now, traffic cops are constantly on the alert for speeding
0:36:28 > 0:36:32motorists, but on a busy road in Sussex there are four cars
0:36:32 > 0:36:34that aren't going anywhere.
0:36:37 > 0:36:42The traffic police are needed on a busy A road in Sussex.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44PC Richard Hobbs is the nearest.
0:36:44 > 0:36:48It happened near Eastbourne on the south coast.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50SIRENS WAIL
0:36:50 > 0:36:53Richard arrives to see a line of vehicles have been caught up
0:36:53 > 0:36:55in the accident.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57Checking injuries is the priority.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00- Is anyone hurt? - This chap here, James.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02Do you need an ambulance at all, James?
0:37:02 > 0:37:05PC Hobbs has to work his way up the line of cars.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07You didn't hit your head or anything?
0:37:07 > 0:37:10Hang on in there for me, and I'll come see you in a tick, all right?
0:37:10 > 0:37:13The injuries suffered will determine the police response.
0:37:13 > 0:37:18- Just you in this one, is it? - There are four vehicles involved,
0:37:18 > 0:37:21the driver at the front has escaped with the least damage.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24- Hello, girls, you all right? - It's a classic shunt,
0:37:24 > 0:37:29one of the most common accidents the road cops get called to.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32Luckily, this time no-one is seriously hurt,
0:37:32 > 0:37:37James is the most shaken and his car the most badly damaged.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41He suffers from serious kidney problems and was on his way
0:37:41 > 0:37:45back from a treatment session when the accident happened.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47- You've just had dialysis, have you?- Yeah.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50- OK, is that a weekly thing for you? - Three times a week. - Three times a week? OK.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54Blow hard. Keep going, keep going, keep going.
0:37:54 > 0:37:59It's routine to give every driver caught up in an accident a breathalyser.
0:38:00 > 0:38:01James passes.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06I just came round on to this road
0:38:06 > 0:38:09and suddenly everyone's braked really heavy,
0:38:09 > 0:38:14and I tried breaking and I just went in to the back of this vehicle.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18The Highways Agency are now at the scene.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23The priority for the police now is to clear the road
0:38:23 > 0:38:25and get the traffic flowing freely again.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29The delivery van is going nowhere.
0:38:29 > 0:38:34As for James' car, PC Hobbs is going to see if he can shift it.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37I'm just going to see if I can reverse it back,
0:38:37 > 0:38:41I don't know whether it's going to go. OK, if you hang on there.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48It doesn't sound very healthy but backs out easily.
0:38:57 > 0:39:01James has arranged for recovery to come and collect it.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04Once all the radiator fluid is cleared off the road,
0:39:04 > 0:39:06few signs will remain of the accident.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14Richard has collected statements from everyone,
0:39:14 > 0:39:16but now it's a job for the insurance companies.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19Recovery arrives for the delivery van, and an hour after the
0:39:19 > 0:39:24accident happened the road is clear, and the traffic is flowing freely.
0:39:24 > 0:39:25People get cocooned within their car
0:39:25 > 0:39:28and forget about what's happening ahead of them,
0:39:28 > 0:39:31and it's very easy to start narrowing the gap with the vehicle
0:39:31 > 0:39:34ahead, and you don't give yourself the chance to react to anything.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37People have been travelling too close together,
0:39:37 > 0:39:40someone's had to break, and one vehicle's shunted in to another,
0:39:40 > 0:39:43and we've ended up with four vehicles being involved.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51Well, as we heard there, James was on his way to dialysis
0:39:51 > 0:39:53when he had that unfortunate shunt.
0:39:53 > 0:39:57He is just one of the 26,000 people a week in the UK on dialysis
0:39:57 > 0:39:59because his kidneys don't work.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02Michael was also a kidney patient until a year ago
0:40:02 > 0:40:05but thanks to an extraordinarily generous family friend, Stuart,
0:40:05 > 0:40:08Michael's life has been transformed.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10And you're both here to explain.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13So, Michael, you were on dialysis until about a year ago.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15What was wrong with you?
0:40:15 > 0:40:20Um, basically, I contracted a virus when I was five years old, um,
0:40:20 > 0:40:22and it just attacked the kidneys, basically.
0:40:22 > 0:40:27I had steroid treatments that worked, but continuously,
0:40:27 > 0:40:31over a period of ten years it just kept coming back, and every time
0:40:31 > 0:40:34it came back it just damaged the kidneys a little bit more.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37And that meant that you were on dialysis, what, three times a week?
0:40:37 > 0:40:40Three times a week for roughly four hours at a time.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43- So, really effecting your life and everything?- Yeah.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46You were trying to get somebody else's kidney,
0:40:46 > 0:40:49you were on the register, and then, family friend.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52That's right.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55You put yourself on the register, Stuart, why was that?
0:40:55 > 0:40:58My wife's best friend passed away waiting for a heart
0:40:58 > 0:41:00and lung transplant.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03So, my sisters came down one day saying they'd exhausted
0:41:03 > 0:41:05all their avenues.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07Cos they'd been looking for a donor?
0:41:07 > 0:41:10- She said, OK, go ahead, put my name down. - Your wife?- Yeah, my wife.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13And I was there as well, and I said, yeah, go on, then,
0:41:13 > 0:41:14put my name down as well.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16And lo and behold, I was a match.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19You were a match? How unusual is that, that he should be a match?
0:41:19 > 0:41:22- I think it's like 33,000 to one, or something like that.- Is it?- Yeah.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26Not only a match, but willing to give up your kidney as well.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28Yeah, it was a bit of a no-brainer, really,
0:41:28 > 0:41:32we just, sort of, popped in and had it done, really.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34I love the way you say that, brilliant.
0:41:34 > 0:41:39You popped in to have a major operation and give away a kidney.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41So, how much difference has it made to your life?
0:41:41 > 0:41:42Um, completely different.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45I mean, before I had to spend so much time at the hospital,
0:41:45 > 0:41:48that was pretty much my life.
0:41:48 > 0:41:52And now, I barely go back, maybe once a month for check ups,
0:41:52 > 0:41:54and I can do whatever I want, you know.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56And I hear you can eat different food as well?
0:41:56 > 0:42:01That's right, well, you have quite a strict dietary regime, really,
0:42:01 > 0:42:04- because you're not allowed salt or potassium.- So, no crisps.
0:42:04 > 0:42:05That's right, no chocolate.
0:42:05 > 0:42:10- So, you can eat crisps and chocolate? You can now?- Yeah. It's completely changed my life for the better.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12What about you, you've got one kidney now,
0:42:12 > 0:42:14has it affected your health?
0:42:14 > 0:42:17Not at all, no, no, feel exactly the same, really.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20Thought I'd feel a lot different, but, no, feel exactly the same.
0:42:20 > 0:42:25You're organising a run to encourage people to be on the donor register.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28Currently, there's only 29% of people in the UK carry donor cards,
0:42:28 > 0:42:31so the idea is we put together a team of people and we're doing a run
0:42:31 > 0:42:35from the Queen Alexandra hospital in Portsmouth, which is where we had the operation done,
0:42:35 > 0:42:40down to Lands End in Cornwall, and then we're going to row back to Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43- You're going all of this?- Myself and a colleague from my station.
0:42:43 > 0:42:47- I mean, you have done, he's done an amazing thing, hasn't he?- He has.
0:42:47 > 0:42:51And I love the way you just laugh it off and make light of it, but
0:42:51 > 0:42:55- absolutely admirable and brilliant to do as well, isn't it, Michael? - Yeah, it is.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59- I'm glad it's made a big difference. Thanks for coming to tell us. - No problem.- Thank you.
0:42:59 > 0:43:03- What a great story, what a good man.- Oh.
0:43:03 > 0:43:07- Just popped in, just popped in, had an operation.- Yeah, yeah.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10I bet you're happy, chocolate and crisps, eh?
0:43:10 > 0:43:12- Yeah, it's a miracle. - I wouldn't survive without that.
0:43:12 > 0:43:16- That's it for Real Rescues, we'll see you next time.- Bye bye.
0:43:19 > 0:43:24Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd