0:00:02 > 0:00:04Trapped in a smoke-filled flat, fighting to breathe.
0:00:04 > 0:00:07Firefighters have just minutes to save his life.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10Stay there. We're coming to get you.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13And how a relaxing caravan holiday in Scotland
0:00:13 > 0:00:16turns into a full-scale drama.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38Hello, and welcome to Real Rescues
0:00:38 > 0:00:42from the emergency operations centre of South Central Ambulance Service.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44This control room takes emergency calls
0:00:44 > 0:00:47from a huge area of southern England.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50Calls come in at a rate of one per minute,
0:00:50 > 0:00:54and each one has the potential to be a life-or-death situation.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57That's exactly what our first rescue was - life or death.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01Neighbours have spotted black smoke billowing from a first-floor flat.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03There are people inside the building
0:01:03 > 0:01:07and Southampton's Green Watch have only got minutes to get them out.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13The fire crew are heading across Southampton city centre
0:01:13 > 0:01:17to a block of flats just a few miles from their fire station.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19Whereabouts is it?
0:01:19 > 0:01:23It's late afternoon, before the rush-hour. The roads are clear.
0:01:23 > 0:01:24Over there, Stan.
0:01:24 > 0:01:29At least one person is trapped inside the burning flat.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31There?
0:01:31 > 0:01:34Straight up ahead? Is it straight ahead, over?
0:01:34 > 0:01:37INDISTINCT RADIO
0:01:37 > 0:01:39All right, cover and jet, guys.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43Neighbours have reported seeing at least one man trying to get out.
0:01:45 > 0:01:46Pardon?
0:01:48 > 0:01:51Thick black smoke is pouring from a first-floor window,
0:01:51 > 0:01:55but neighbours tell the crew to go around the back.
0:01:55 > 0:01:56Quick as you can, guys!
0:01:58 > 0:01:59Yes, all right. Stay there.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Come on, Guy, get by the control board.
0:02:02 > 0:02:07Watch manager Sean is inside the building on the ground floor.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10Is it the first floor? Show me where it is.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14- Receiving, over.- The man's face has been spotted at this window,
0:02:14 > 0:02:16but the smoke is too thick to see anyone now.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19The only way to reach him is going to be with a ladder.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23Sean heads out of the building to organise the rescue.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26Right, get by the board. Start up the A crew.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30Two of the crew are kitted up with breathing apparatus to go inside.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Get by the BA board. Start up.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38As the smoke clears, suddenly there's a glimmer of hope.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43The man's hand can be seen on the window.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45That'll be fine. Can you get up there?
0:02:45 > 0:02:46Get the hose reel up there.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48- INAUDIBLE SPEECH - Yeah, we know, mate.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51Bobby, get the hose reel up there. Don't go in.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54- Now the hand is grabbing at the window frame. He's alive!- Right.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58Now there's more movement at the window.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00Just get him to fresh air, close the door behind you. OK?
0:03:00 > 0:03:04- Don't risk it. - The trapped man hauls his head out,
0:03:04 > 0:03:07desperate for a way out and gasping for air.
0:03:07 > 0:03:08Right, guys, back!
0:03:08 > 0:03:11But time is running out.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14Stay there. We're coming to get you.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17That's terrifying. We'll have more on that rescue later.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20These emergency centres exist all over the UK
0:03:20 > 0:03:24and a human drama unfolded when 999 call handler Peter Cook
0:03:24 > 0:03:27took a call from a caravan holiday site near Edinburgh.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24Well, I'm so delighted to say
0:04:24 > 0:04:27the man on the other end of the phone was Peter, and here he is.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31I've got to say, I would have panicked completely.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33What was going through your mind?
0:04:33 > 0:04:35The important thing is to get the address.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39Once we managed to get the address, you knew that help was on the way.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41It just makes your job so much easier.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45The ambulance is on their way. What's your priorities then?
0:04:45 > 0:04:48- You've got mum with twins. - That's the thing.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51This is what makes this call so unusual.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54There's three patients. Normally... I've delivered 16 babies.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58Once you've... Normally, you've only got one mother
0:04:58 > 0:05:01and as soon as the baby is born, the priority is the baby.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04At one point in the call, she's like, "I'm holding one of them
0:05:04 > 0:05:07"and then there's another one on the way."
0:05:07 > 0:05:10Also, the baby that was born, the cord was ruptured.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13So it was just like you've got three patients.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17It was just so nerve-racking. But you've just got a job to do.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20And they were premature. I mean, how long...?
0:05:20 > 0:05:22- 28 weeks.- You must have thought, "Oh, my goodness."
0:05:22 > 0:05:27I know. It was just...At one point, I just thought, "This is insane."
0:05:27 > 0:05:30She had one baby in her hand, so you want to concentrate on that,
0:05:30 > 0:05:33but at one point, she was like, "It's coming."
0:05:33 > 0:05:35And I was like, "Oh, no."
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Luckily, Dad came at that point on the phone
0:05:37 > 0:05:41and just, you know, delivered the second one.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43And that's when the baby wasn't breathing.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47Then you think, "Oh, thank goodness, we've got the one twin out
0:05:47 > 0:05:50"then we had the other twin out, I can relax."
0:05:50 > 0:05:51But it was only just beginning.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53We had a serious problem.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56The cord on the first baby was ruptured.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59When the second was born that wasn't breathing, it was just...
0:05:59 > 0:06:01It was just something else.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03Well, let's just see exactly what happened.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30Well, let's meet the characters in that phone call.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33I've got to say, in a much happier and much more relaxed state.
0:07:33 > 0:07:38Starting on the far side, we've got Bethany, second eldest of the family,
0:07:38 > 0:07:43then Dad here and then we've got the first twin here, little Katherine,
0:07:43 > 0:07:48Mummy, and this one, who caused all the trouble later on, this is James.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51- I'll come to you first of all, Mummy, are you all fit and well now?- We are.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54- Yes?- Yep.- No problems whatsoever, apart from the usual?
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Apart from the usual.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- Now, you've got six children in total.- Six.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02- These two are the most dramatic? - Definitely.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05I won't be doing it again. We won't be making it seven!
0:08:05 > 0:08:06I don't blame you.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09- Dad, how are you getting on?- Fine.
0:08:09 > 0:08:14When you listened to that phone call, did the horrible memories come back?
0:08:14 > 0:08:17I remember it like it was yesterday.
0:08:17 > 0:08:22It must have been probably the worst moment in your life.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24Yeah. Definitely.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27Definitely the worst situation I've ever been in.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30I sit next to this man, who seems remarkably calm.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33Can you remember talking to him on the phone?
0:08:33 > 0:08:35Can you remember what was going on?
0:08:35 > 0:08:38I can remember everything he said. Everything he told me to do.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41And it worked in the end.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45I'm looking over at Bethany, as well. You started it all off, didn't you?
0:08:45 > 0:08:49Because Dad had gone off to play with the other kids
0:08:49 > 0:08:52and Mum got in distress and you made the first phone call, right?
0:08:52 > 0:08:55- Yeah.- And you spoke to this man?
0:08:55 > 0:08:59I think it was a woman at first, but I think I went on to him, yeah.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- You raced off and got Dad back.- Yeah.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05We were just talking about it a little bit earlier on.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09It was drama after drama after drama.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11I remember hearing your voice saying,
0:09:11 > 0:09:15"I've got a twin in one hand and another one's on the way."
0:09:15 > 0:09:17Um, what was going through your mind?
0:09:17 > 0:09:19Obviously, being an experienced mother,
0:09:19 > 0:09:22you must have just about seen it all.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24Well, yeah.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28Because they were so tiny when they were born, it was scary.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31But because she was crying, I felt a bit more relaxed.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34I knew she was all right because she was making a noise.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37Yeah. This one was noisy. Still quite noisy, which is good to hear,
0:09:37 > 0:09:42but this little chap, with gorgeous cheeks, caused you real panic.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46Yeah. We couldn't hear him breathe. He wasn't making a noise.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48It was incredibly scary.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51Yeah. He had an unusual medical condition.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55He has TOF. Tracheoesophageal fistula.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59You've said that a few times, haven't you? Which meant what?
0:09:59 > 0:10:04His windpipe was joined to his oesophagus.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06His oesophagus and his stomach aren't joined.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Well, they are now, but they weren't originally.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12So he's not been able to swallow until he was four months old,
0:10:12 > 0:10:15until they did the surgery to join them together.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19He had to have surgery at a day old so that he could breathe properly.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23There you are on holiday, having to deal with these medical conditions.
0:10:23 > 0:10:28You had to talk Dad through helping this little one get to breathe.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- How well did he do? - He was perfect. Without question.
0:10:31 > 0:10:36You gave him an instruction, he just went and done it without question.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39He just, er...he did brilliantly.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41Everybody's, fingers crossed, fit and well.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44This one just keeps staring at me.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47If you don't stare too closely, I might steal him away from you.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Does it make your job feel all worthwhile
0:10:50 > 0:10:52when you see this happy little family here?
0:10:52 > 0:10:54It really, really does.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56You forget how important it is.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59Sometimes when you're staring at a screen,
0:10:59 > 0:11:00or a voice at the end of a phone,
0:11:00 > 0:11:03you forget just how important your job is.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07So, how many babies now? You've had 16 and now some twins.
0:11:07 > 0:11:1016. So I think I'm in the wrong profession.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13You should be a midwife.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15Well, thank you very much for joining us. Good luck.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19- There's definitely not any more babies to come?- Definitely not.- Dad?
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- Yep.- He's confirmed that. Never again.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25Thank you very much, all of you. And, er...take care.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30Responding to an emergency
0:11:30 > 0:11:33is always something of a leap into the unknown.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37And this next story really is a tale of the unexpected.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45You're about to see dramatic footage of a car crash
0:11:45 > 0:11:47from the moment it actually happens.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49SIRENS WAIL
0:11:49 > 0:11:51Oh, my God!
0:11:54 > 0:11:56This was shot by a police car's onboard camera
0:11:56 > 0:11:58as it headed out on blue lights and sirens
0:11:58 > 0:12:02to another car accident on this stretch of road.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08As they reach the queueing traffic,
0:12:08 > 0:12:11a woman in a silver car on the opposite side of the road
0:12:11 > 0:12:15spots their blue lights and slows down to allow them to overtake.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18But as she does, so the red van behind her fails to notice
0:12:18 > 0:12:22- and smashes straight into her car. - Oh, God!
0:12:25 > 0:12:27We'd better deal with that one.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31Traffic cops Richard Hobbs and Alex Blayber
0:12:31 > 0:12:33immediately shift their attention
0:12:33 > 0:12:37to the accident that's happened right in front of their eyes.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41I'll dash out and make sure she's OK.
0:12:41 > 0:12:4635-year-old Gwyneth Adams has got out of her car immediately.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49Wait there. My colleague will come and speak to you.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51- I'll speak to this lady. Are you sure you're OK?- Yeah.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55Although Gwyneth is shaken up, she isn't complaining of any injuries.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57Her car hasn't fared so well.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01This side's all right, but this one looks a bit close to the...
0:13:02 > 0:13:04..the wheel.
0:13:06 > 0:13:07Yeah, it's going to...
0:13:10 > 0:13:13You won't be able to drive that unless we can get the bumper out.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15It's right up against your wheel. And obviously...
0:13:15 > 0:13:18any distance you travel, it's going to eat into the wheel
0:13:18 > 0:13:23and cause your tyre to...to burst on you.
0:13:23 > 0:13:28Despite Richard's best efforts, the bumper refuses to move right out.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33Every time, it just folds back in on itself.
0:13:36 > 0:13:41- Do you have any breakdown cover? - No.- OK.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45- The one thing I haven't got. - The one thing that you haven't got.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47OK. Not a problem. We can sort it out.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51Fortunately, there's a lay-by cafe nearby.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54As Richard checks out the van driver, who's also uninjured,
0:13:54 > 0:13:56Gwyneth settles down with a cup of tea
0:13:56 > 0:14:00and lets everyone know she's going to be late.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03Everyone involved must be breathalysed.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10- When did you last have any alcohol? - It would have been Saturday evening.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13Brilliant. A deep breath in and blow hard.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17Keep going, keep going, keep going. That's fine. Thank you very much.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19- That's the sample taken.- Brilliant.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23We'll just analyse it and I'm sure it'll say zero.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27There we go. Brilliant.
0:14:27 > 0:14:32Gwyneth will now have to wait for her car to be towed to a safe place.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35Richard lets her know help is at hand if she needs it.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39If there is a problem, ring us, quote that reference
0:14:39 > 0:14:42and we'll come back out and help you out. All right?
0:14:42 > 0:14:45- Nice to have met you. - Sorry about the circumstances.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47You don't need to apologise at all.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50You were just doing what we'd expect, really.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55I want to pick up on a few points with Bob, a traffic policeman,
0:14:55 > 0:14:57about what happened in that film that we saw.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00So there was an accident originally, then another one.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03So what do we do if we're driving along, we see sirens,
0:15:03 > 0:15:06we hear sirens, we see flashing lights. What we do?
0:15:06 > 0:15:08Make sure it's safe to pull over to the left,
0:15:08 > 0:15:11check mirrors, indicate to the left, find somewhere safe to pull over.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14Try to avoid a sharp bend in the road or brow of a hill.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16So those are the things to look out for.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19You should always pull over or be looking to pull over.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22We wouldn't urge people to mount pavements to damage their vehicle.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25Find somewhere safe, indicate to the left,
0:15:25 > 0:15:27check your mirrors, pull over when it's safe to do so.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30In that film, we saw that the accident we saw
0:15:30 > 0:15:33was on the opposite side to the police car. Does that happen often?
0:15:33 > 0:15:36It does unfortunately happen quite often
0:15:36 > 0:15:40where some drivers may overreact to the blue lights and the siren,
0:15:40 > 0:15:44stop very suddenly and the car behind them hasn't seen what's gone on
0:15:44 > 0:15:46because their vision may have been obscured.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49So unfortunately, they've had a rear end shunt.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53The rule of thumb is as soon as you hear or see something, slow down.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Just slow down, indicate. Let the car behind you,
0:15:56 > 0:16:00if you are travelling in the opposite direction, know what's going on.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04Indicate, pull over to the left and do it all nice and slowly and safely.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06I will remember. Thank you very much, Bob.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10Let's take you back to that fire at a block of flats in Southampton.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12A man is desperately hanging out of a window,
0:16:12 > 0:16:15gasping for air as fire rips through his flat.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19The crews can only get to him using a first-floor balcony.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23The trapped man is hanging out of a first-floor window
0:16:23 > 0:16:26as fire engulfs his flat.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28Stay there. We're coming to get you.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32The man's gasping for air just a few feet from firefighters
0:16:32 > 0:16:34Rob and Guy as they head up the ladder.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37They'll have to go into the burning flat to get him out.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41All right.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44The balcony doors open,
0:16:44 > 0:16:48Rob will use the hose to cool the deadly hot gases.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56Well done, Stan.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00Wearing breathing apparatus, Guy and Alex head into the unknown.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03A thermal-imaging camera will guide them.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07They're coming to get you. Can you understand me?
0:17:09 > 0:17:12At last, a beam of torchlight penetrates the blackness.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14They've reached the man, but he's too frightened
0:17:14 > 0:17:16to leave the open window.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20- Pull him down.- His head's stuck.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22His head's stuck. Lift your head up.
0:17:27 > 0:17:28Come down.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31Let go, mate! Let go!
0:17:31 > 0:17:33You're all right, fella!
0:17:33 > 0:17:36We'll get him on the ladder. All right, mate, here you go.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43The disorientated flat owner is hauled into the fresh air.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45His ordeal is almost over.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48Just take your time and take a breath.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50You all right?
0:17:50 > 0:17:52Guy? Shut the door of the flat!
0:17:55 > 0:17:58The man is very shocked. He needs oxygen.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03He's been breathing in toxic fumes which can cause lasting damage.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07But the man is too bewildered and weak to help himself.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11He's taken in a lot of smoke. The ambulance is on its way.
0:18:11 > 0:18:12SIRENS WAIL
0:18:16 > 0:18:19Paramedics are on their way as Rob and Guy haul him onto the ladder.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25ALL TALK AT ONCE
0:18:45 > 0:18:49Rob carries him down. His crewmate is ready with the oxygen.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05But after escaping the suffocating fumes,
0:19:05 > 0:19:07the man is still traumatised
0:19:07 > 0:19:11and tries to resist the oxygen mask being put over his face.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13Breathe in. It's good.
0:19:13 > 0:19:19The man is out and safe, but smoke is still pouring out of the windows.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22The hoses are trained on the outside
0:19:22 > 0:19:24while Guy and Alex head back inside.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28They need to double check there are no more people trapped inside.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32Guys, gas cooling.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40When you see these guys at work,
0:19:40 > 0:19:43you are amazed by their professionalism, their patience,
0:19:43 > 0:19:46their calmness under pressure and sometimes their ingenuity.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49I want to introduce you to Stephanie. Hi, Stephanie.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Now, you got a rather unusual call from a gentleman.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55I did. It was quite early in the morning.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58And I couldn't understand what he was saying at all.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00Very garbled, slurred speech.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03And I checked all of our system,
0:20:03 > 0:20:06I couldn't find any details on the telephone number.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08He was ringing off a mobile.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12I was like, "I don't know what to do." There was nothing I could do.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15- So, no method of communication?- No. - So, what did you do?
0:20:15 > 0:20:16I asked if he understood me.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19I said, "Tap your mouthpiece if you understand me."
0:20:19 > 0:20:22And he must have understood me clearly.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25The only way I thought I could get any sort of address from him
0:20:25 > 0:20:29was to go through the alphabet to try and find out his postcode.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32You went through the alphabet, he tapped on the right letter.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36He tapped on the right letter and right number. I got his postcode.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Asked him if the address was right and he tapped.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43And all I kept thinking was, "Please be a little street."
0:20:43 > 0:20:45- You don't want to go through it all. - No.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48There were a good hundred numbers on the street.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52And all I could think was, "Please remember how to count."
0:20:52 > 0:20:54And luckily, he lived quite low down.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57So I managed to get the number he tapped.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00I asked if his front door was open and he tapped again.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02I thought, "Brilliant. The crew can get in."
0:21:02 > 0:21:06And the crew arrived and he'd had quite a severe stroke.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08So he was unable to communicate.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10He couldn't communicate with me at all.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13So thank goodness you had a bit of ingenuity.
0:21:13 > 0:21:14It was quite lovely, really.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17When the crew arrived, there was a paper next to him
0:21:17 > 0:21:20that he'd written to say thank you to the lady on the phone.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23- So it was quite nice.- How wonderful.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27We got there eventually and he got dealt with really well.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30You've just got to keep thinking on this desk.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32- Thinking on your feet.- Exactly. Yeah.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34- Stephanie, thank you.- No problem.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36Still to come on Real Rescues -
0:21:36 > 0:21:40when an injury becomes less important than the cover story.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42What do you want us to tell her?
0:21:42 > 0:21:44That my stick slipped
0:21:44 > 0:21:47and I fell and hit my back on a projection.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52And while Green Watch search for more survivors,
0:21:52 > 0:21:55a have-a-go hero is recovering.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11One of the largest killers in the UK is a sudden cardiac arrest.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13But this amazing bit of kit,
0:22:13 > 0:22:16I don't know if you've seen it before, is a defibrillator.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19And it's making a difference. How much of a difference?
0:22:19 > 0:22:22Well, let's speak to paramedic Duncan.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25- Duncan, it is making huge inroads, isn't it?- Absolutely.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27It is the most important piece of equipment
0:22:27 > 0:22:30that we use in cardiac arrests.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33The use of a defib increases the survival rate by over 50%.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35- Really?- Absolutely.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39I must admit, I don't think I've seen these. Where would I find them?
0:22:39 > 0:22:41You would've seen it on the football pitch at Tottenham,
0:22:41 > 0:22:43which was very successful.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47They are out there for public use. Public access defib sites.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50What we're actively trying to do is to advertise the case
0:22:50 > 0:22:52and make people aware of where they are.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54- We can find that on the website? - Absolutely.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58We've got a website called defibfinder.co.uk.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01That's got 2,500 sites on it, which should be the national database.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04So anybody can see where the nearest one is to where they are.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07I'm going to put that down, and I'm putting it into action here.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10I find this a bit intimidating. I open the lid.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13- You open the lid. - And it's all self-explanatory?
0:23:13 > 0:23:15- It's all self-explanatory.- OK.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19It does a self-check first to make sure all the units are working.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21- Okey-dokey. - Then it will start talking to you
0:23:21 > 0:23:25- and it will tell you exactly what to do.- Ambulance is on its way.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29There's the package torn open. Take the pads out.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31COMPUTERISED VOICE: '..Remove pads.'
0:23:31 > 0:23:33Remove pads. So take that one off.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36'Unseal the package and remove pads.'
0:23:36 > 0:23:39The first pad is placed on the top right-hand pectoral muscle.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43And then I've got to take this off this blue package.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45- Place them on the side. - On the side there.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47'Do not touch patient.'
0:23:47 > 0:23:51It will now analyse the heart rhythm and it will make a decision.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55- You don't have to. It makes it for you.- OK.
0:23:55 > 0:23:56'Shock advised.'
0:23:56 > 0:23:58It's decided the heart's in a shockable rhythm.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01The light will light up. We make the safety checks
0:24:01 > 0:24:04to make sure nobody's touching, and we push the button.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07- Shock delivered. - And that's as simple as it is.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09It is now safe to touch the patient.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13We commence CPR, as we would have done prior to the pads going on.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16- So he's got now got a bit more of a chance.- Absolutely.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Every two minutes, this will reanalyse the heart's rhythm.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21If it requires a shock, it will tell you so.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24You reshock and then you go back into CPR.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27The most important part of this is, CPR must start immediately.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30You've only got a one in six chance in the UK
0:24:30 > 0:24:33of anybody doing CPR on you, which is really quite bad.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36We need to make sure people start CPR early,
0:24:36 > 0:24:39they carry on, the defib is put into place, it's utilised
0:24:39 > 0:24:42and the chance of survival is incredible.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45Duncan, thank you very much. Good luck, mate.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47Here on Real Rescues, we've seen in graphic detail
0:24:47 > 0:24:50just how lives are saved on a daily basis.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52John Ellsworth was enjoying a morning out and about
0:24:52 > 0:24:56and knows first-hand how vital defibrillators are.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01They arrived to find a team of police, an off-duty doctor
0:25:01 > 0:25:03and a first aider from a local supermarket
0:25:03 > 0:25:07trying to resuscitate a man who is flat out on the pavement.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10John's heart has stopped functioning properly
0:25:10 > 0:25:12and is failing to pump blood around his body.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15Police community support officers Daniel and Katie
0:25:15 > 0:25:18were two of the first to help John when he collapsed.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22Once we turned John over, we were looking for signs of life.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24And he wasn't breathing
0:25:24 > 0:25:26and we couldn't find a pulse.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30We realised he was purple from his head all the way down to his neck.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33I was on the radio asking for an ambulance urgently.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37The only way to get the heart working again is by electrical shock.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41They immediately get a portable defibrillator ready.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45It's the essential piece of equipment that John needs to survive.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47COMPUTERISED VOICE: 'Shock advised.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49'Charging.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51'Stay clear of patient.'
0:25:51 > 0:25:54- Everybody clear. - 'Deliver shock now.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58'Press the orange button. Shock delivered. Start CPR.'
0:25:58 > 0:26:02The defibrillator doesn't only give shocks, it also analyses John's heart
0:26:02 > 0:26:05to let the team know what to do next.
0:26:05 > 0:26:10It advises more CPR, which means John's heart is still not working.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13The defibrillator advises another shock.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15- Stand clear.- Stand clear.
0:26:17 > 0:26:18'Shock delivered.'
0:26:18 > 0:26:20Although all the rescuers remain calm,
0:26:20 > 0:26:24they're desperately hoping this one will bring John back to life.
0:26:24 > 0:26:28..Five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13...
0:26:28 > 0:26:31They've done it. The machine's automatic voice
0:26:31 > 0:26:34confirms John's heart is beating on its own.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36'No shock advised.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39'It is safe to touch the patient.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42'Check for signs of fibrillation.'
0:26:42 > 0:26:46Three years on, John is thoroughly enjoying the life he was given back.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50One thing about defibrillators is knowing where they are.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52Martin Fagan from Community Heartbeat Trust,
0:26:52 > 0:26:54you've got a clever idea.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57An important thing about having defibrillators in the community
0:26:57 > 0:26:59is knowing where they are.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01It's not just a matter of their location,
0:27:01 > 0:27:03but knowing where they can be found very quickly.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06One of the things we're doing is working very closely
0:27:06 > 0:27:09with British Telecom to use adopted telephone boxes.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12So, what happens? You literally adopt this telephone box
0:27:12 > 0:27:14- and it will have a defibrillator in it?- Absolutely.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17So everybody knows where the local telephone box is.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20We put a defibrillator in there, the ambulance service says,
0:27:20 > 0:27:24"Go to the telephone box, grab the defibrillator."
0:27:24 > 0:27:28- It's easier to get to the patient. - They're iconic sort of structures.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31- Do they have phones in them or not? - The phones have to come out.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34The defibrillator is put where the phone is based.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37Everybody knows the telephone box.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41They're iconic, they're protected environments. Ideal locations.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44So you dial 999. They'll tell you where it is, will they?
0:27:44 > 0:27:47It will come up on the ambulance service computer.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49It says where it's located.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51In this case, a telephone box or a village hall or church.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54They send the patient to it with the code to get in the box.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56The patient takes the defibrillator.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59Not the patient, the person making the call, I guess.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01And how many have you got?
0:28:01 > 0:28:04We've done so far about 50-odd with British Telecom.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06But an awful lot more are in the pipeline.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08- Good luck. Thank you. - You're welcome.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13Southampton Fire and Rescue's Green Watch
0:28:13 > 0:28:15carried out a dramatic rescue operation,
0:28:15 > 0:28:18pulling a trapped man out of a burning flat.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22Now they've got to go back into the building to check for more victims
0:28:22 > 0:28:25and try and find the source of that fire.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29He was conscious at the window there.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31Our guys brought him down the ladder.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34While paramedics treat the flat owner, who's struggling to breathe,
0:28:34 > 0:28:37the firefighters go back into the suffocating smoke
0:28:37 > 0:28:40to continue their search.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42Guys, gas cooling!
0:28:45 > 0:28:47INDISTINCT COMMUNICATION
0:28:48 > 0:28:50I can't get him.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54Get plenty of water in!
0:29:02 > 0:29:05Yeah, all received. We'll commit the next team, over.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08The crew's tanks will soon run low on air.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11They're pulling out. Another team is on standby.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13Yeah. Come down.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17Meanwhile, the paramedics are treating two unexpected heroes.
0:29:17 > 0:29:22Before ringing 999, it turns out that a passer-by and his father
0:29:22 > 0:29:26had staged their own rescue attempt.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51Do you want to go and take over from them?
0:29:51 > 0:29:55Make sure the fire is extinguished and there's no-one else in the flat.
0:29:55 > 0:29:56- OK, yeah.- That's the access.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00A relief crew has arrived to take over the search operation.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02Inside the flat, the fire is now out.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05There was no-one else trapped inside the building.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08We extinguished the fire from the door,
0:30:08 > 0:30:12then moved the sofa, found another source of flame behind the sofa.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15The sofa is on its side because we tilted it
0:30:15 > 0:30:18to make sure we got everything underneath and behind it.
0:30:18 > 0:30:22Then it was just a case of searching the flat for any further casualties
0:30:22 > 0:30:24and any other scenes of fire.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27You can see there's quite a lot of stuff on the floor
0:30:27 > 0:30:30because as we were making our way out,
0:30:30 > 0:30:33we had the casualty and our main objective was to get him out quickly.
0:30:33 > 0:30:37Anything in the way, we moved as swiftly as we could.
0:30:37 > 0:30:41For Green Watch, it's the end of a challenging day.
0:30:41 > 0:30:46We were greeted by near-to-zero visibility
0:30:46 > 0:30:47when we went in.
0:30:47 > 0:30:51Obviously, using the hose reel and cooling as we went,
0:30:51 > 0:30:52the gases in the room,
0:30:52 > 0:30:55we then just followed our search pattern around
0:30:55 > 0:30:59and eventually, we came to the room where the chap was.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02He almost had his head wedged in the window.
0:31:02 > 0:31:04So after a bit of chatting with him,
0:31:04 > 0:31:06we managed to get his head out of the window
0:31:06 > 0:31:10and he was a bit disorientated and a bit reluctant to come to start with.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12Rob managed to get him down the ladder
0:31:12 > 0:31:14and we left him in the hands of the ambulance service.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19The rescued man is breathing better now,
0:31:19 > 0:31:22but he'll have to go to hospital for observation.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25Some symptoms of smoke inhalation don't show up immediately,
0:31:25 > 0:31:29so he'll need careful monitoring.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33He's had a lucky escape.
0:31:33 > 0:31:38And for Camille and his father, it's a day they will never forget.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49A difficult job well done by Green Watch.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52The incident had the potential to be very serious.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54The gentleman suffered some injuries,
0:31:54 > 0:31:57but it could have been a lot worse.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59The crews acted quickly and did a professional job
0:31:59 > 0:32:03and carried out a rescue and saved the gentleman's life.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08He was extremely lucky to get out of that flat
0:32:08 > 0:32:11and thanks to two people - lots of people involved, actually -
0:32:11 > 0:32:14but Alex and Rob, who are here to tell me about it.
0:32:14 > 0:32:16Goodness me, Alex, you were,
0:32:16 > 0:32:18I know, one of the people who grabbed him and pulled him out.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21Describe to us what it's like when you go into that kind of scene,
0:32:21 > 0:32:23and he clearly doesn't want to leave, does he?
0:32:23 > 0:32:27No, he didn't want to leave. It was very smoke-logged in the property.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30We made entry off of the landing, went into the property
0:32:30 > 0:32:34and, as you can see from the video, he had his head partially wedged
0:32:34 > 0:32:38in the window and he took a lot of persuasion to come out.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41You talk about persuasion - what were you doing? Pulling him?
0:32:41 > 0:32:42Saying, "Please leave?"
0:32:42 > 0:32:44What is it like? It's going to be desperate, isn't it?
0:32:44 > 0:32:47Yeah, pulling him, he was clinging on to the window frame
0:32:47 > 0:32:50until the last second, and, yeah, just gently chatting to him
0:32:50 > 0:32:52and trying to get him out of the building.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54He was doing the right thing, wasn't he?
0:32:54 > 0:32:56That was the best thing he could be doing at that stage -
0:32:56 > 0:32:57trying to breathe fresh air.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00Oh, definitely. He was by the open window
0:33:00 > 0:33:02and had a good supply of fresh air, so, definitely.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04Then, presumably, he doesn't want to leave the window.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06What about trying to get him through the flat,
0:33:06 > 0:33:09because that's very hot in there and that's where the fire is too?
0:33:09 > 0:33:12Yeah, I mean, as you said he was reluctant to come out
0:33:12 > 0:33:14cos we had to take him right back into the depths of the flat
0:33:14 > 0:33:17to bring him back out to the means of escape, the ladder,
0:33:17 > 0:33:19so, yeah, he was reluctant to come through the property.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21You were in charge of the means of escape.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23You were at the top of the ladder, weren't you?
0:33:23 > 0:33:26- Yeah, that was me.- He wasn't best pleased to see you, was he?
0:33:26 > 0:33:31The guy, he was so disorientated by the whole situation
0:33:31 > 0:33:34that I don't think he knew where he was, to be honest.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37But yeah, Spreaders gave him to me,
0:33:37 > 0:33:39I put him over my shoulder and just carried him straight down.
0:33:39 > 0:33:40I was amazed watching it
0:33:40 > 0:33:43because I've never seen a ladder rescue like that before
0:33:43 > 0:33:46and you, first of all, were trying to slide him down, weren't you?
0:33:46 > 0:33:48Is that what you would try to do with somebody?
0:33:48 > 0:33:50Because it's a first-floor flat, it's quite a long way to fall.
0:33:50 > 0:33:55If he'd have been a heavier bloke, we would have slid him down,
0:33:55 > 0:33:58sort of, him facing me with my arm sort of around him,
0:33:58 > 0:33:59hugging him, almost.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02And I would have taken him down the ladder like that,
0:34:02 > 0:34:05but he was such a light guy that I could actually put him
0:34:05 > 0:34:09over my shoulder and just carry him down old school, if you like.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12It sounds absolutely incredible work and I'm impressed.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15I know this is what you do in your everyday lives, but you have,
0:34:15 > 0:34:17I'm really glad to say, been given a commendation as well
0:34:17 > 0:34:20for the work that you all did on that day.
0:34:20 > 0:34:23Yeah, the whole watch were given a commendation just for our actions.
0:34:23 > 0:34:24And does that make it even better
0:34:24 > 0:34:28when you actually get that sort of reward as well?
0:34:28 > 0:34:30Yeah, it's just a pat on the back, really,
0:34:30 > 0:34:32but it's nice to be appreciated.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35Absolutely. Well, thanks very much for coming to see us today as well.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37- Great work, thank you. - Nice to meet you.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40Great effort, lads. Well done.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42Now, none of the call-handlers here has the first idea
0:34:42 > 0:34:45of what they're going to be faced with when the phone rings.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48Now, one call came into this centre a few weeks ago.
0:34:48 > 0:34:52A vehicle had gone out of control and caused major damage...
0:34:52 > 0:34:53inside a shop.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55Bizarre.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00Ambulance technician Kevin Deverill
0:35:00 > 0:35:04is on his way to a model aircraft shop near Portchester.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09- Straight through that door there. - Thank you.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12And what's happened here?
0:35:12 > 0:35:15He's got one of those mobility scooters
0:35:15 > 0:35:19and he went to get out of it and it's run away from him
0:35:19 > 0:35:22and he's fallen on the floor and he's stuck in the corner.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25An 83-year-old man has been sent flying
0:35:25 > 0:35:28when his mobility scooter got stuck in reverse.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31Somehow I caught the reverse lever...
0:35:31 > 0:35:34- Instead of forward? - Instead of forwards,
0:35:34 > 0:35:39and shot backwards and got thrown out.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42When fellow customers tried to save him,
0:35:42 > 0:35:44Ralph was jettisoned into the air,
0:35:44 > 0:35:47hitting some shelving on the way down.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50- I banged my head. - That's enough, isn't it?
0:35:50 > 0:35:53But if you look, I think you'll find
0:35:53 > 0:35:56I don't think I'm in any problem that way,
0:35:56 > 0:35:58- but something hit me in my back.- OK.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01Ralph, a retired RAF photographer,
0:36:01 > 0:36:04may be a dab hand at steering remote-controlled aircraft,
0:36:04 > 0:36:08but he's clearly not quite so good at scooter control.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11- I think I'm OK...- Ralph, let's just do a couple of things, all right?
0:36:11 > 0:36:14First of all, just stay where you are.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17Kevin's first concern is for a back injury.
0:36:17 > 0:36:22It's just there, a bit sore. Ah!
0:36:22 > 0:36:24That hurts, doesn't it?
0:36:24 > 0:36:27- Give a bit of pressure. - Well, that was only...
0:36:27 > 0:36:31No? Oh, no, it's there. It's just there. I don't know what...
0:36:31 > 0:36:36- It just sore.- It's not your ribs, it's actually your spine.
0:36:36 > 0:36:37Oh, my bloody hell.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42Ralph already suffers from a spinal condition
0:36:42 > 0:36:46that means two of his vertebrae have grown into hook shapes
0:36:46 > 0:36:48after a motorbike accident over 50 years ago.
0:36:49 > 0:36:53On a scale of one to ten, ten being quite uncomfortable,
0:36:53 > 0:36:58when I pressed in on your back - be totally honest with me -
0:36:58 > 0:37:02- how uncomfortable...- About eight or nine, I should imagine.
0:37:02 > 0:37:06- I think we need to get you checked out and x-rayed.- Yeah.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09- Yeah.- Are you OK with that?- Yeah, they won't keep me in, will they?
0:37:09 > 0:37:14If there's no damage, they're not going to keep you in.
0:37:14 > 0:37:18Could we have a crew, please? Lovely, thank you very much.
0:37:18 > 0:37:22Ralph bought his beloved mobility scooter with a small lottery win.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26Now he's worrying how this news will go down at home with his wife.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28What do you want us to tell her?
0:37:28 > 0:37:36That my stick slipped and I fell and hit my back on a projection. Right?
0:37:36 > 0:37:39- KEVIN LAUGHS - I'm not getting involved in that.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42- This is a plot.- Yes, it's a plot.
0:37:42 > 0:37:47By now, his powers of invention are in full flight.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49Let me speak to her.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53- All right.- All right, love?
0:37:53 > 0:37:59My stick slipped and I've got one of these emergency chappies
0:37:59 > 0:38:03in the car and he says, well, you've got to go in for a check-up.
0:38:03 > 0:38:10And I did bang my head, but there's nothing to be concerned about.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14It must be the ferrule on the bottom of that stick.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16Probably needs changing.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Anyway, I'm sorry about that.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21You're good.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23RALPH LAUGHS
0:38:23 > 0:38:27I almost believed you for a moment then.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30- You been married long?- 42 years.
0:38:30 > 0:38:34- And she still believes you? - I don't know!
0:38:34 > 0:38:36But despite the laughter,
0:38:36 > 0:38:39Kevin is worried that Ralph's oxygen levels are dipping.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42All right, let's just give you a little bit of oxygen, nice and easy.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46- All right? - Right on cue, the paramedics arrive.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49- Hi.- Hello.- Hello.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52This is a young gentleman by the name of Ralph.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54The problem will be protecting his back
0:38:54 > 0:38:57while they get him into the ambulance.
0:38:57 > 0:39:01We are really stuck in and wedged in there.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03Fortunately, Ralph's air force training
0:39:03 > 0:39:06means he's used to keeping calm in emergency situations.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11I've covered a lot of incidents like this on camera.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14He's going to need gas and air to help him kill the pain.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18Is that making you a bit more out of breath?
0:39:18 > 0:39:21- The pain is coming in my back now. - Right, OK.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24But inhaling is hurting more than it's helping.
0:39:27 > 0:39:31My colleague here is going to support your neck, all right?
0:39:31 > 0:39:32Without any pain relief,
0:39:32 > 0:39:36moving Ralph on to the board is not going to be a pleasant experience.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40- Right, nice and easy. - RALPH GROANS
0:39:40 > 0:39:43Keep your hands on your chest. Keep your hands on your chest.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46All right, Ralph. Nice and easy. Then just move his back.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51Nice and still.
0:39:51 > 0:39:55On three - one, two, three.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59- Turn to me.- Oh, that does hurt. - And then bring that in there.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01OK, nice and relaxed, Ralph.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07On board the ambulance,
0:40:07 > 0:40:11he's busy briefing the crew about the mission ahead.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14I've told her the story that my stick slipped and I fell.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17Doesn't she like you being in your wheelchair?
0:40:17 > 0:40:18- No, she don't.- Right, OK.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21Five minutes later, he's en route to hospital
0:40:21 > 0:40:25and he fears a potentially tricky rendezvous with his wife.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30So, was June fooled? We had to find out.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33We caught up with the larger-than-life Ralph at home,
0:40:33 > 0:40:35where he's made a complete recovery.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38I was more worried that I wouldn't be allowed
0:40:38 > 0:40:41to use the scooter any more.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44And it turns out this wasn't his first mishap on the scooter.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47You've got to be very careful.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50If you drop it off the wrong side of the kerb, you can tip it over,
0:40:50 > 0:40:52as I've found out.
0:40:52 > 0:40:56I had about a dozen faces lying down there.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59There was an empty van. They put the buggy in the van
0:40:59 > 0:41:00and brought me home.
0:41:00 > 0:41:05June says, "Oh, God, are you OK?" I tried to get away with that.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09I tried to drive up, but when they got the van out
0:41:09 > 0:41:10the electrics were soaked
0:41:10 > 0:41:13and it took three blokes to push me up the hill.
0:41:13 > 0:41:18It seems that it's not only vehicles Ralph has trouble with.
0:41:18 > 0:41:22I'm afraid I'm accident prone.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24My oldest boy is accident prone.
0:41:24 > 0:41:28I won't go into that, but what happened to him is hilarious.
0:41:28 > 0:41:34I don't have to go far. She bought me a pair of waders to look at a...
0:41:34 > 0:41:37- HE CHUCKLES - To look at a new mooring,
0:41:37 > 0:41:42and I must have stepped in an old bomb hole on the shore.
0:41:42 > 0:41:44So I sank up to there and it took two policemen,
0:41:44 > 0:41:50two coastguards with an under-the-crotch lift to get me out.
0:41:50 > 0:41:55Clearly, age can't keep a good man down.
0:41:55 > 0:41:59I'm very active, I like to get around.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01It's one thing to lose the use of the car,
0:42:01 > 0:42:05it's another thing to lose the use of your lungs and your legs.
0:42:05 > 0:42:12- And that buggy is very important. - Ralph's philosophy is very simple.
0:42:12 > 0:42:16Keep going, keep happy, keep June happy,
0:42:16 > 0:42:23try not to get into scrapes and take it as it comes.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27My homily - I think it's a homily - is,
0:42:27 > 0:42:31what is, is and what's going to happen is going to happen,
0:42:31 > 0:42:33but when it does happen, I don't like it.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38That is it for Real Rescues this time.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40- See you next time. Bye-bye.- Bye.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd