0:00:02 > 0:00:05When you're with someone who's critically ill or seriously injured,
0:00:05 > 0:00:08every minute you wait for medical aid to arrive feels like an hour.
0:00:08 > 0:00:14Which is why a helicopter like this can be one of the most beautiful sights in the world.
0:00:14 > 0:00:20This is the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and their business is saving lives.
0:00:39 > 0:00:45From the Dales to the big cities of Leeds and Sheffield, patients in the UK's biggest county
0:00:45 > 0:00:51are never more than 10 minutes from a hospital, thanks to this 150-mile-an-hour lifesaver.
0:00:51 > 0:00:56And every day brings a new life or death emergency for its team of flying paramedics.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00I'm Rav Wilding and this is Helicopter Heroes.
0:01:00 > 0:01:05Today, a two-year-old girl fights for life after an accident on the family farm...
0:01:05 > 0:01:08- Extremely serious at the moment. - She's gone quiet!
0:01:08 > 0:01:11..but the chopper's broken down.
0:01:11 > 0:01:17Paramedic Sammy struggles to keep her cool as reckless bikers threaten the safety of her patient.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19That's ridiculous.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23There's a Royal visitor as the crew take delivery of a new helicopter.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27- Do you bring them in through the side door?- We do.
0:01:30 > 0:01:36And there's a risky landing on one of the UK's busiest motorways.
0:01:39 > 0:01:44Yorkshire's flying paramedics see some of the worst things that happen to the county's five million people.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47Most of Helimed 99's crew are parents
0:01:47 > 0:01:51and they find it doubly difficult to deal with accidents when the victims are children.
0:01:51 > 0:01:56At Yorkshire Air Ambulance's control room, a frantic mother is on the line.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Helimed 99 can reach 150 miles an hour.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25If pilot Steve Cobb could fly faster, he'd do it this morning.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30A three-year-old been knocked down by a horse,
0:02:30 > 0:02:34- initially not breathing but she is breathing now.- Oh, dear.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36We just have to deal with what we find.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40We don't know exactly what has happened until we get there.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44There is no point in getting worked up about anything until we know what we are being faced with.
0:02:57 > 0:03:02No one likes dealing with seriously ill children.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04It does touch a nerve with most of us,
0:03:04 > 0:03:09so, obviously try and do the best way we can.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28But there's a problem.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31One that means Helimed 99 might never reach its patient.
0:03:33 > 0:03:38Just to let you know we've just had chip light up in the gear box.
0:03:38 > 0:03:43The gear box that drives the chopper's rota could be breaking up.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52They look calm, but this emergency is serious and the danger is real.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55They are doing it by the book.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57Temperature and pressure fine.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02"Land as soon as practicable.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06"If indication is abnormal, land as soon as possible."
0:04:06 > 0:04:10Planned landing. We are almost there anyway.
0:04:10 > 0:04:17It may be that we can't transport, but we will cross that bridge when we get to it.
0:04:17 > 0:04:24They've made it. The chopper is on final approach to the field where the accident happened.
0:04:24 > 0:04:30The ground ambulance crew have reached little Amelia Tinkler.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32She has a suspected fractured skull.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35Her mum, Lynne, is terrified.
0:04:35 > 0:04:42The two-year-old was hurt in a freak accident when her pet pony kicked a steel gate that swung and hit her.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49I've got a two-year-old toddler knocked by a horse
0:04:49 > 0:04:53and flung about 50 yards across the field and the gate.
0:04:53 > 0:04:58Chest sounds are clear. We've got a head injury, but I think the blood is in her mouth.
0:04:58 > 0:05:04We had a warning light come on on our way, so we're just ringing engineering.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07Could you get some suction so at least we can clear her airway?
0:05:07 > 0:05:10AMELIA WAILS
0:05:10 > 0:05:16Amelia is seriously ill. She's bleeding heavily and they need to keep her airway clear.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18She's gone quiet.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21She's just tired out, sweetheart.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23She's still breathing.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28Extremely serious at the moment. I think she's been hit by her pony
0:05:28 > 0:05:32as the pony's jumped over the fence.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34Initially she was unconscious, but she has come round.
0:05:34 > 0:05:42The fact she is crying out in pain, although distressing for Mum and Dad, at least she's conscious.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47We don't want her to go quiet and as a result of that stop breathing.
0:05:47 > 0:05:54Steve's trying to confirm whether the warning light on his cockpit panel is genuine or a false alarm.
0:05:56 > 0:06:01Simon Cavanagh's trying to keep Amelia's spirits up.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04All right, Amelia?
0:06:05 > 0:06:10Just going to get that blood out of your mouth. There you go.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14There we go. Good girl. That's much better.
0:06:16 > 0:06:22Amelia is an hour from specialist care by road - time she may not have.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25Try and stay still for me.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36This is her parents' worst nightmare.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39But pilot Steve could face a heart-breaking decision -
0:06:39 > 0:06:43balancing the life of a little girl against the safety of his crew.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46They can't take off unless the fault is fixed.
0:06:50 > 0:06:57Coming up on Helicopter Heroes, Steve turns mechanic in an attempt to put his chopper back in the air.
0:06:57 > 0:07:02The safety of the aircraft and the crew has got to be considered as well.
0:07:02 > 0:07:07Helimed 99 gets a sister ship as the air ambulance service expands.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09It's a really nice machine to fly.
0:07:09 > 0:07:16And paramedic Lee opens the door 100ft up to help with a life-saving landing on an urban motorway.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28Off-road biking is a booming sport and the dangers are obvious.
0:07:28 > 0:07:36Helimed 99 are often called to those who've taken on the rugged Yorkshire terrain and come off second best.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40The motorcycle trials area, Flappits Quarry at Denholme.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42We get plenty of jobs there.
0:07:42 > 0:07:47This is two separate incidents with two motorcyclists injured.
0:07:47 > 0:07:52Flappits Quarry in West Yorkshire is a magnet for offroad bikers like Paolo Gallone.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56He was catapulted off his bike and landed heavily. He hasn't moved since.
0:07:56 > 0:08:01He needs help fast and the land ambulance can't get near him.
0:08:01 > 0:08:06As the crew circles the scene, there appears to be only one biker injured.
0:08:06 > 0:08:13But this isn't going to be a straightforward landing as hundreds of bikers career around the quarry.
0:08:16 > 0:08:21Do we want to wait until the police have secured that area?
0:08:21 > 0:08:24I don't think it's the police, I think it's the supervisor.
0:08:24 > 0:08:31Pilot Steve has landed here many times, but he knows many of the bikers will ride towards the scene
0:08:31 > 0:08:36and in the past, bikers have even ridden underneath the helicopter as it's landing.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41We sometimes have problems with the landing areas
0:08:41 > 0:08:46when we have no control over the people or equipment down there.
0:08:46 > 0:08:52Sometimes we arrive and people are just running about everywhere and we can't see exactly what is going on.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56There is also this one down here.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00To make matters worse, the police haven't arrived to secure the area.
0:09:00 > 0:09:07If pilot Steve thinks it's unsafe to land, they will have to leave a patient who needs their help.
0:09:07 > 0:09:12We need to make sure that everyone in the aircraft is looking outside
0:09:12 > 0:09:15and trying to make sure that the area is secure,
0:09:15 > 0:09:17but it's not always easy when you can't see.
0:09:17 > 0:09:25In the final part of the approach, the landing area is genuinely blocked out. It gets quite tricky.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29Paolo is in luck, the bikers stay far enough away so Steve can land.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33But the danger is not over.
0:09:33 > 0:09:39As paramedics Pat and Sammy start to treat the patient, Steve and the helicopter are surrounded by bikers.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43I fell off my motorbike and it fell on top of me.
0:09:43 > 0:09:48He has taken a knock to his head and to his lower leg.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52We are cutting the boot off to have a look and see what is going on.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56- Can you feel that there when I am pressing?- Yeah.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59All right, Paolo.
0:10:02 > 0:10:08This is a dangerous situation. Bikes are racing past where Pat and Sammy are trying to treat Paolo.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11Guys, turn it off.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15Do they always make this much noise?
0:10:17 > 0:10:21A lot of people aren't watching where they're going.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23They're too busy watching what is going on here.
0:10:23 > 0:10:29There's the potential for one of them to come off and cause another accident.
0:10:29 > 0:10:34It can get a bit noisy and a little bit wild at times.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40Right, have you ever had gas and air?
0:10:40 > 0:10:43- No.- This is the same stuff that women deliver babies on.
0:10:43 > 0:10:49It might make your voice sound funny but we're not worried about that if you're not.
0:10:49 > 0:10:54Before they can do anything, they must stabilise Paolo's leg
0:10:54 > 0:10:56and ensure they don't become casualties themselves.
0:10:56 > 0:11:02We'd just like protecting please and a little bit less noise around the patient cos that's ridiculous.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Driving up to him like that.
0:11:05 > 0:11:13Can Pat and Sammy get their patient into the helicopter before anyone else gets hurt?
0:11:15 > 0:11:21Coming up on Helicopter Heroes - even the police have their hands full taming the offroad bikers.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23It's not nice and it's not safe.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27Pilot Steve is under pressure.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31Two-year-old Amelia's life could depend on his DIY skills.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35Just a bit of trouble getting this plug back on at the moment.
0:11:35 > 0:11:40And airlifting an injured driver will mean a difficult landing.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44It's not going to be able to land where we are now.
0:11:48 > 0:11:53It costs £3,500 a day to keep one of these in the air.
0:11:53 > 0:12:00The people of Yorkshire have a reputation of perhaps being a little careful with their money,
0:12:00 > 0:12:06but no-one minds putting their hand in their pocket when the chopper you're buying could save your life.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11There is 6,000 square miles of Yorkshire.
0:12:11 > 0:12:17It's the biggest county in England and 10% of the UK's population live there.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23Helimed 99, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, is busy.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28We have the biggest motorway network in the UK.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32And a lot of very, rural remote places.
0:12:32 > 0:12:37If we get, for example, a horse rider falling and seriously injured
0:12:37 > 0:12:43and a road traffic accident at the same time, which do we go to, which is the most serious incident?
0:12:43 > 0:12:48Helimed 99 took 300 people to hospital last year and they could have flown more.
0:12:50 > 0:12:55The answer would be to have two aircraft so we're able to respond
0:12:55 > 0:13:01to two emergencies at the same time. That's one thing we are aiming for -
0:13:01 > 0:13:09to purchase a second aircraft to enable us to respond when we are faced with two emergencies.
0:13:09 > 0:13:14A large package has arrived for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
0:13:14 > 0:13:20It's been shipped over from Jakarta, via Tilbury Docks and then by lorry to an airbase in Gloucestershire.
0:13:20 > 0:13:27Wrapped in vast amounts of bubble wrap is the answer to Mick's prayers - a second air ambulance.
0:13:27 > 0:13:34Mick and his new pilot Tim Taylor have come down to pick up the new helicopter,
0:13:34 > 0:13:36call sign Helimed 98.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40It's good. It's looking the part.
0:13:40 > 0:13:45I can't wait to take it out of the hangar and fly it.
0:13:50 > 0:13:56I have been looking forward to it for ages. It's like buying a new car.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00Lots of brand-new equipment, new moving map, weather radar,
0:14:00 > 0:14:05wire cutters, new medical fix, it's a nice machine to fly.
0:14:05 > 0:14:11Back in Sheffield, paramedics Pat and Lee have formed a welcoming committee.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13It's been a long time coming
0:14:13 > 0:14:17but we've finally got there. This is its arrival today.
0:14:17 > 0:14:24Obviously we've been waiting all day and it's fair to say it's the first time in Yorkshire for it.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27Years in the planning and finally it's here.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31The paramedics are keen to give their new helicopter the once over.
0:14:31 > 0:14:36It feels fantastic. What you see here is what the people of Yorkshire have bought.
0:14:36 > 0:14:41All their hard work, all the charity fundraising,
0:14:41 > 0:14:45all the input from everyone around Yorkshire, this is the machine that belongs to them now.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49It's a great day. Everyone is really happy to be looking round it.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52Hopefully it will do a lot of missions and save a lot of lives.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56The next day, Helimed 98 is off on its first mission.
0:14:56 > 0:15:01They may have a new state-of-the-art computerised navigation system in the front,
0:15:01 > 0:15:05but in the back the navigation system has gone horribly wrong
0:15:05 > 0:15:08as Pat struggles to unfold his brand-new map of North Yorkshire.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11I hate new maps!
0:15:14 > 0:15:17The crew are on their way to the Dales.
0:15:17 > 0:15:22This is the first job for the new aircraft. Exciting times.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26Obviously, it's a virgin run so we will see how we get on.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30The new helicopter makes good time at 150 miles an hour
0:15:30 > 0:15:34and it doesn't have to follow the windy B roads down there.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36Does that look like them?
0:15:36 > 0:15:41Coming down a hill at speed, a cyclist has hit a dry stone wall at the bottom.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45There was only ever going to be one winner.
0:15:49 > 0:15:54He misjudged the bend. To miss a car, he hit the post of the gate.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01Kevin Thompson needs to get to hospital.
0:16:01 > 0:16:07An eyewitness says he has been out cold for five minutes. Much too long.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11His face is battered and he has shoulder and chest injuries.
0:16:11 > 0:16:17Pilot Tim finds out that, in this job, he has more to do than just fly the chopper.
0:16:17 > 0:16:24Quite a nice place for him to come cycling. It's a lovely day up out in the Dales.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28Because of where we are and the distance to the nearest hospital,
0:16:28 > 0:16:34we are going to fly him to Harrogate, about 15 minutes away.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38Pat's worried about his patient's head injury.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41Before they set off, he wants to check out the evidence.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44What's his cycle helmet like? Is it damaged?
0:16:44 > 0:16:47This helmet has done its job.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50Cracked right through.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54If Kevin hadn't been wearing one, things could have been much worse.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58Pilot Tim is pleased with the way his first flight is going.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00It's doing what it says on the tin.
0:17:00 > 0:17:05I just have to put some newspaper on the floor so they don't muddy it up too much.
0:17:05 > 0:17:11With his patient safely on board, the helicopter's computers plot a route to take him to hospital.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15- How is it?- Displayed on there. - Beautiful.
0:17:15 > 0:17:21A few minutes later, and they touch down on Harrogate Stray, right next to the hospital,
0:17:21 > 0:17:25and their patient is in the hands of the doctors.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29Helimed 98's crew are pleased with the way the new helicopter has performed.
0:17:29 > 0:17:34It seemed to go really well. A nice, easy fit to work around inside.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38So, yeah, it's worked out all right, patient's transferred well
0:17:38 > 0:17:44and we have dropped them off at Harrogate Hospital and the doctors are seeing him there.
0:17:44 > 0:17:50With Helimed 98's first mission successfully done, Tim and the crew head to their new base at Sheffield.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53Ahead is another important day.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01It's Royal visit time - the Duke of York.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05The former helicopter pilot is dropping in to open the unit.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09Lee's technical skills are once again in demand.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13Lee, how do you use the vacuum cleaner?
0:18:13 > 0:18:19As well as his cleaning duties, Lee has also been brushing up on his Royal protocol.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23It is my first time meeting a Royal.
0:18:23 > 0:18:28I had to have a quick word with someone to see what to say in reply
0:18:28 > 0:18:34if he spoke to me, and obviously it's your Royal Highness and then sir.
0:18:34 > 0:18:39It's time for Lee to put his meeting and greeting training to the test.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47The Duke of York takes great interest in air ambulance work.
0:18:47 > 0:18:52He flew Sea King helicopters during the Falklands war and still regularly flies.
0:18:52 > 0:18:57To get a patient in and out, do you bring them in through the side door?
0:18:57 > 0:19:00- We do.- The side door obviously opens.
0:19:00 > 0:19:08It's a flying visit but an important one, and Lee says goodbye the only way he knows how.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10You can always pop in for a brew.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13Now that I know that you're here, I'll do that.
0:19:13 > 0:19:19At the end of the day, he will have a cup of tea like anyone else. He knows he can come and see us!
0:19:22 > 0:19:23Coming up on Helicopter Heroes...
0:19:23 > 0:19:29Helimed 99 is under siege by bikers as the medics try to treat an injured rider.
0:19:29 > 0:19:34I don't think they appreciate it would render us inoperable if they just bumped her.
0:19:36 > 0:19:42And a woman driver is fighting for her life but the crew have to find a landing site on an urban motorway.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44You are looking well over the road now.
0:19:51 > 0:19:57Compared with cars, or even motorbikes, helicopters are not the safest way to travel,
0:19:57 > 0:20:04which is why Helimed 99's pilots sometimes have make tough decisions in the interest of safety.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07Amelia is two years old and critically ill.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09Her mum, Lynne, is frantic.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12She saw what happened.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16She was hit by a metal gate after her pet pony kicked it.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19Her skull is fractured and she's bleeding heavily.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22She needs to get to neurosurgeons quickly.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26But Helimed 99 may not be able to help.
0:20:26 > 0:20:31We do have a transition chip light, which means that we will fly to our next place of landing.
0:20:31 > 0:20:37I'll have to ring and see what they say. It may be that we can't actually transport.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43Amelia must get to hospital fast.
0:20:43 > 0:20:49Steve is trying to fix the chopper in a stubble field while paramedics treat Amelia in a paddock.
0:20:53 > 0:20:59The blood in her mouth is blocking her airway. Simon needs to use a pump to suck it out.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02That's better, isn't it?
0:21:02 > 0:21:06Although she is only two, Simon reassures his patient.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10He's got a three-year-old himself, this comes naturally.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13We're going to put you on a special stretcher.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15Teddy's coming.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17Mummy's here.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Everybody's here. You're quite safe.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23It's time to move Amelia, very gently.
0:21:28 > 0:21:34As well as everything else, she may have a spinal injury.
0:21:34 > 0:21:39Steve is still trying to fix the chopper's gear box.
0:21:39 > 0:21:45The paramedic crew still don't know whether the helicopter can fly Amelia to the treatment she needs.
0:21:45 > 0:21:50For the moment, we're going to transfer the little girl on to the ambulance.
0:21:50 > 0:21:55- It's a little bit warmer for her.- Do you want to put the monitor on it?
0:21:55 > 0:21:58We should see in a few minutes whether the helicopter can fly.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01We will make a decision then.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06On three. One, two, three.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09Behind the scenes Helimed 99's engineers have been constantly
0:22:09 > 0:22:14on the phone to Steve helping him sort out the gear box problem.
0:22:14 > 0:22:21Everyone knows Amelia's life depends on it. Back at the helicopter, there is good news.
0:22:21 > 0:22:26Cleaned the plug off and then we are going to fly this flight
0:22:26 > 0:22:29and have a look when we get to the other end.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32Just having a bit of trouble getting the plug back on.
0:22:32 > 0:22:38Simon, can you hear me? We will fly her. We will fly her.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42The safety of the aircraft and the crew has to be considered as well.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45But the engineer says it's fine to go, so we will go with that.
0:22:45 > 0:22:51We are going to fly to James Cook which is the nearest hospital that can deal with paediatric neuro.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54It's in the best interests of the little girl to take her up there.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58It's what everyone wanted to hear.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02With Steve still working in the engine bay, Amelia is loaded into the aircraft
0:23:02 > 0:23:06for the ten minute flight to the waiting surgical team.
0:23:06 > 0:23:13It's been a tense and exhausting time for the paramedics and crew, but most of all for Amelia's mum.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19Steve the pilot could have been faced with a terrible decision -
0:23:19 > 0:23:22having to say he couldn't fly Amelia.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25But today, things worked out. She will be on her way soon.
0:23:25 > 0:23:31With the final catches closed on the engine bay, Steve can get ready for take off.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35Amelia is being prepared for the short flight to Middlesbrough.
0:23:35 > 0:23:40She needs oxygen to help her breathe and her mother is coming too.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45Helicopter pilots are always cautious.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49They fly complex machines and errors of judgment can cost lives
0:23:49 > 0:23:53but Steve has made sure that Helimed 99 is fit to make this vital flight.
0:23:57 > 0:24:03In the back, Amelia has stopped crying. Her eyes look blank.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05Her mum watches everything.
0:24:05 > 0:24:10Paramedic Simon Cavanagh's job is to monitor Amelia during the flight.
0:24:10 > 0:24:16He knows children can recover quickly or go downhill fast. Everyone is worried.
0:24:16 > 0:24:17Is she still breathing?
0:24:17 > 0:24:23Oh, yeah. I will get a lot more animated if something bad happens. Don't worry.
0:24:25 > 0:24:30Her pulse is nice and strong and steady. Her breathing is nice and steady as well.
0:24:30 > 0:24:36No reason to believe she has any nasty limb fractures or anything like that.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40Her lungs are nice and clear, and her breathing as it should be.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48The intercom tells everyone they have reached their destination.
0:24:48 > 0:24:54Helimed 99 and its precious cargo have made it.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58The thing is with children, they tend to get ill very quickly.
0:24:58 > 0:25:03One minute they can be fine and talking to you, and the next minute they can stop breathing.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07A lot of the paramedics and technicians up and down the country,
0:25:07 > 0:25:11we've all got children, it's the type of job that anybody hates.
0:25:11 > 0:25:16Paramedic Simon goes with Amelia and her mum into the trauma unit.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18Surgeons are waiting to operate.
0:25:18 > 0:25:26Amelia is critically ill and the crew are exhausted, physically and emotionally drained.
0:25:26 > 0:25:32I've got a son who is three, so when they're hurt it's just awful.
0:25:32 > 0:25:37It's the worst sort of job, anything to do with kids.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40It's not only because little people hurt,
0:25:40 > 0:25:42but also the trauma for relatives.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45It's just awful.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47It really is awful.
0:25:49 > 0:25:55Coming up - will Amelia recover from her terrible head injuries?
0:25:55 > 0:26:00And lights, pylons and trees, but they have got to land here.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02How far are we from it?
0:26:02 > 0:26:06You're only about ten foot off the blades.
0:26:10 > 0:26:17At the quarry in West Yorkshire, the paramedics are trying to treat a rider who has come off his bike.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21The motorbike fell on top of me.
0:26:23 > 0:26:29Despite hundreds of bikes careering across the site, Helimed 99 has managed to land.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32Paramedics Pat and Sammy are trying to treat Paolo Gallone
0:26:32 > 0:26:37who has broken his leg, but this is a increasingly dangerous situation.
0:26:37 > 0:26:42We would like protecting, please, and a bit less noise around the patient.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46Cos that's ridiculous, driving up like that.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49Quite intimidating with all these bikers and noise
0:26:49 > 0:26:54and charging up at you and throwing a bit of dirt at the patient.
0:26:54 > 0:27:01Before they can load Paolo onto the helicopter, they must stabilise his broken leg.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05That means a painful move into a splint.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07Straighten this one out for us, pal.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09That's it. Great, Paolo.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14Right behind you now. Can you just shuffle over a bit?
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Paolo is in a lot of pain.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21He has been lying on the hard ground of the quarry for over half an hour.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25Don't be fooled by the sunshine - it's a cold day.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28Without Helimed 99, Paolo would be facing
0:27:28 > 0:27:33a chilly and painful stretcher journey to an ambulance over a mile away.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36Instead, he'll be in hospital within minutes.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40You all right now it's been been splinted up?
0:27:43 > 0:27:49But there's still time for another biker to nearly cause yet another accident.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53I can't believe how close he was. Practically underneath the rotor head.
0:27:53 > 0:28:00I don't think they appreciate how dangerous and how it would render us inoperable if they just bumped her.
0:28:00 > 0:28:07- Clear left.- Clear rear right. Go straight up high.
0:28:11 > 0:28:16Even in the helicopter, the crew are still in danger.
0:28:16 > 0:28:21Pilot Steve must lift off quickly to prevent him being blinded by the clouds of dust.
0:28:29 > 0:28:33There is still time for another twist in this rescue.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40There is going to be a bit of a delay, there's cows blocking them.
0:28:40 > 0:28:47The ambulance, on its way to transfer Paolo to Airedale Hospital, is stuck.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49With the stray cattle safely back in the field,
0:28:49 > 0:28:53Paolo can finally begin the last leg of his journey to hospital.
0:28:53 > 0:28:58- Can I stand on this leg?- Put that one down to the ground.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01Lower yourself nice and steady.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06Shall we go down a bit so you haven't got to do the splits.
0:29:06 > 0:29:11It was a bit of a challenge. It's always a messy, unco-ordinated job.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14Invariably we land as close to the patient as we can get.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17The road crew always have to walk a certain distance.
0:29:17 > 0:29:23I never feel safe around my patient until the police have arrived and secured all the bikers.
0:29:23 > 0:29:30Coming up on Helicopter Heroes - down on the farm where little Amelia Tinkler was hurt,
0:29:30 > 0:29:34they're waiting for news from intensive care.
0:29:39 > 0:29:44When you are driving, statistically the motorway is the safest place to be.
0:29:47 > 0:29:52But, when things go wrong, reaching you can be very difficult.
0:29:54 > 0:29:59It's usually Helimed 99's life-saving paramedics that get all the attention.
0:29:59 > 0:30:04Today, it's the turn of chief pilot Steve Cobb to take centre stage.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08On the outskirts of Manchester, a car has careered off the M60 motorway.
0:30:08 > 0:30:13The driver has suffered a huge impact and is seriously injured.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16Numerous emergency services are already on the scene.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20But they're missing one vital piece of equipment - the helicopter.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24Manchester control, Helimed 99, we'll be about nine minutes.
0:30:24 > 0:30:30This would normally be a job for the North West Air Ambulance, but they're out on another emergency.
0:30:32 > 0:30:36Helimed 99 must travel over 40 miles to do the job.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38It looks to be
0:30:38 > 0:30:42quite a large intersection where several major routes combine.
0:30:42 > 0:30:50It's a requirement for safety that both carriageways are closed when we land on the carriageway.
0:30:50 > 0:30:54That has been pre-prepped and we can go straight in.
0:30:54 > 0:30:59As Helimed 99 approaches the scene, there is a problem.
0:30:59 > 0:31:05The incident is not on a dual carriageway, it's on a narrow slip road.
0:31:05 > 0:31:10It's an incredibly tight landing site, and there are obstacles everywhere.
0:31:10 > 0:31:16You've got wires. Something stood in the middle of that road, the slip road where they all are.
0:31:16 > 0:31:21Some stanchion on the left. Light stanchions.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23There's a wire there.
0:31:23 > 0:31:28Steve has landed in some tight spots before, but this is going to be close.
0:31:28 > 0:31:34We've got a light stanchion in my four o'clock, but we're going to be clear of that
0:31:34 > 0:31:38and then there's no more on the right-hand side, as far as I can see.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40You're well clear on your left.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43We're over the wood at this point.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45Can I crack the door at all?
0:31:45 > 0:31:50It's such a tight landing, Lee opens the door to make sure they don't hit anything.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55Steve's under immense pressure.
0:31:55 > 0:32:01Trees, pylons and roadside lights are just feet from the helicopter blades.
0:32:01 > 0:32:06OK, you're not gonna be able to land where we are now.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11It's touch and go.
0:32:11 > 0:32:16Steve knows the patient needs them, but this is dangerous.
0:32:16 > 0:32:21Yeah, turn here, please, Steve, you're looking well over now.
0:32:21 > 0:32:28You'll be coming one foot. OK, you've got four foot from the edge, you're on the road.
0:32:28 > 0:32:35He's done it. They're down and everyone can breathe a huge sigh of relief.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37Great, well done, mate.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40They're safe, but what about the patient?
0:32:40 > 0:32:44This is Nazahol Zharny and she's in a bad way.
0:32:44 > 0:32:50Fire fighters have freed her from the wreckage but she could have serious spinal injuries.
0:32:50 > 0:32:56Lee now takes over. He must get Nazahol onto a helicopter and into hospital as fast as possible.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00The blood pressure's running a bit low.
0:33:00 > 0:33:06As Lee and Tony hook Nazahol up to their equipment, pilot Steve inspects his makeshift helipad.
0:33:06 > 0:33:11Yeah, this one's tight. It's more of a link road between two motorways,
0:33:11 > 0:33:17it's only a dual carriageway. It's a ditch as well, bit of a cutting.
0:33:17 > 0:33:23You think you're closer than you really are so you're a bit more careful than you need to be.
0:33:23 > 0:33:31But Steve can't relax yet, he's got to do exactly the same again, but this time in reverse.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34Lift up initially, do a 180.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37- OK.- To the left.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45It's clear right. Keep it coming, Steve. Keep it coming.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51Yes, still clear, come round. Clear the right at 3 o'clock.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55OK, just forward a touch if you can.
0:33:55 > 0:33:59Forward. That's good, mate, you're clear of that.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02You can go straight now. Closing the door.
0:34:05 > 0:34:09Cleared the trees to your left.
0:34:09 > 0:34:14Clear now, you're well safe. Got power out to the right.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16We're not above them yet.
0:34:26 > 0:34:32Thanks to Steve, Nazahol has been given the best chance of making a full recovery
0:34:32 > 0:34:37and she'll be receiving hospital treatment in just 10 minutes.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40Keep coming, keep coming.
0:34:40 > 0:34:46Fortunately, there's a nice big helipad at Manchester's Wythenshawe Hospital.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49Keep coming...
0:34:49 > 0:34:53Steve might take the plaudits for this particular success story,
0:34:53 > 0:34:55but it's also relied on good old-fashioned teamwork.
0:34:55 > 0:34:59She's in the best place now to get the best of help.
0:34:59 > 0:35:05Quite a difficult landing, quite tight. Obviously we landed on the carriageway -
0:35:05 > 0:35:13lamp stanchions on both sides of the road, a lot of trees, a lot of vehicles and emergency vehicles.
0:35:13 > 0:35:18Pilot did really well to get us down where he got us.
0:35:18 > 0:35:25Everybody's aware that in them situations to keep it safe, we've all got to point out the hazards -
0:35:25 > 0:35:31beneath you, above you, to the side of you.
0:35:31 > 0:35:37It's quite interesting when the pilots are not far away from the lamp stanchions.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41So it gets you thinking, yeah, it's 360 degrees, up and down.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49Now let's catch up on the case of Amelia Tinkler,
0:35:49 > 0:35:54the little girl whose skull was fractured in three places in a freak accident on the family farm.
0:35:58 > 0:36:03Just two years old and clinging onto life.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05Amelia's mum Lynne is frantic.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08She's still breathing.
0:36:08 > 0:36:15The powerful combination of a horse and a swinging metal gate impacting on a very fragile little skull
0:36:15 > 0:36:17has left Amelia critically injured.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21She needs an emergency operation soon.
0:36:23 > 0:36:30By the time Helimed 99 arrived at James Cook Hospital, the surgical team were waiting for Amelia.
0:36:30 > 0:36:35They spent three hours in theatre operating on her fractured skull.
0:36:43 > 0:36:48You're a special little girl, aren't you?
0:36:48 > 0:36:50Stunning!
0:36:50 > 0:36:51Very pretty girl.
0:36:51 > 0:36:55For two weeks, mum Lynne has not left Amelia's bedside.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00She's got three skull fractures, two jaw fractures,
0:37:00 > 0:37:06and two plates and screws. Plates are a millimetre thick
0:37:06 > 0:37:10and a broken bone just above her elbow.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13But she's sitting up a bit better now.
0:37:13 > 0:37:17Amazingly, Amelia has bounced back from her injuries.
0:37:17 > 0:37:24During her nine-day vigil at the bedside, mum Lynne has had plenty of time to relive what could have been.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27Thought she was dead.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31It was the scariest thing I've ever seen.
0:37:31 > 0:37:36Scary, and you're on your own as well. Nobody there.
0:37:36 > 0:37:42That poor woman on the phone...when I rang the ambulance.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44She got some grief, didn't she?
0:38:01 > 0:38:05Lady on the phone wanted to keep me on the phone.
0:38:05 > 0:38:10I was gonna ring somebody, she said, "No, I'd rather you stay on the phone."
0:38:10 > 0:38:12Bless you!
0:38:15 > 0:38:20And no-one is happier Amelia is feeling better than ambulance dispatcher Kerry Stewart.
0:38:20 > 0:38:25I tried to reassure her by saying it's on the way, we can help her.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28I'll stay on the phone with you and tell you what to do
0:38:28 > 0:38:32and she did calm down and she was listening to me.
0:38:41 > 0:38:46So she was able to help her. Just kept reassuring her by saying you're doing a really good job.
0:38:54 > 0:39:01Mum Lynne knows how lucky she is that Amelia didn't miss out on her life-saving flight.
0:39:01 > 0:39:08Somebody said there was a light on and she might have to go by road if they couldn't get it fixed,
0:39:08 > 0:39:12and that they were on the phone to engineers.
0:39:12 > 0:39:18I remember that. I was thinking, fix it, fix that BLEEP helicopter!
0:39:18 > 0:39:21Get it fixed! Get it mended.
0:39:26 > 0:39:30Two weeks later, guess who's home and back on horseback?
0:39:30 > 0:39:37Once out of hospital, there was one thing this young horsewoman wanted to do. Get back in the saddle!
0:39:37 > 0:39:39Walk on. Good boy.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46And today, a special visitor is coming to see her.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49Look, there's a man coming who saved your life.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56Is this your horse?!
0:39:58 > 0:40:01- There we go.- Oh! What do you say?
0:40:01 > 0:40:08The last time paramedic Simon Cavanagh saw Amelia was as he handed her over to a team of surgeons.
0:40:08 > 0:40:14Just a few weeks later and this much improvement is better than he could ever have hoped for.
0:40:14 > 0:40:18- It's good she's up and about. - You say thank you to Simon.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21- Say thank you.- Thank you!
0:40:24 > 0:40:29Paramedics rarely get to meet the patients they've helped so when you see one so young and so much better,
0:40:29 > 0:40:32it makes the job all the more worthwhile.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36No after-effects, as you can see!
0:40:38 > 0:40:43- She's not wary. - She's young enough to forget it.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46My earliest memories are from about four.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49At two, she's not going to remember a thing about this. Thank God.
0:40:49 > 0:40:55The speed of Amelia's recovery surprised everyone, most of all Mum.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00She's brilliant, she's really well.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02Just about back to normal.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04Been amazing.
0:41:06 > 0:41:13The day Helimed 99 came to call is now little more than a memory and she couldn't wish for more.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16Back to your cheeky self, aren't you?
0:41:16 > 0:41:19- Definitely. - Back to your cheeky self.
0:41:26 > 0:41:27When Helicopter Heroes comes back...
0:41:27 > 0:41:30a car crash leaves the paramedics with a terrible dilemma.
0:41:30 > 0:41:34Two patients but there's only room for one in the helicopter.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40But who most needs a life-saving flight to hospital?
0:41:41 > 0:41:43A lorry's in danger of blowing up,
0:41:43 > 0:41:46but Helimed 99 must land to save its driver.
0:41:46 > 0:41:51It might blow so we've just got to get the patient loaded and get out.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55There's a race against time to save a badly injured biker.
0:41:55 > 0:41:59We'll be back to base before dark.
0:42:01 > 0:42:05And paramedic Pat turns shepherd as a flock of sheep invade the landing site.