0:00:02 > 0:00:05When you're with someone who is critically ill or seriously injured,
0:00:05 > 0:00:08every minute you wait for medical aid to arrive can feel like an hour.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12Which is why a helicopter like this can be one of the most beautiful
0:00:12 > 0:00:15sights in the world, it certainly was for me when I was a copper.
0:00:15 > 0:00:20This is the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and their business is saving lives.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43From the Dales to the big cities of Leeds and Sheffield,
0:00:43 > 0:00:47patients in UK's biggest county are never more than ten minutes from a hospital,
0:00:47 > 0:00:51thanks to this 150mph lifesaver.
0:00:51 > 0:00:56And every day brings a new life-or-death emergency for this team of flying paramedics.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00Two helicopters, four paramedics, five million patients.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03Today there's a major road crash,
0:01:03 > 0:01:07and the team are forced to scramble two helicopters.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10There's three patients, it's a bad entrapment.
0:01:11 > 0:01:17On the grass moors of North Yorkshire there's a race to save a trapped gamekeeper's foot.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24If we put some traction on this, it's going to hurt.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28Paramedic Daz meets a patient who's apparently a stranger to pain.
0:01:30 > 0:01:36And there's a miracle escape for a trucker thrown through his windscreen without a scratch.
0:01:39 > 0:01:44It doesn't matter how safe your car is, or how quickly these guys arrive,
0:01:44 > 0:01:48how you come out of a car smash is entirely a matter of luck.
0:01:50 > 0:01:55On a country road in North Yorkshire there's been a serious accident.
0:01:55 > 0:02:00Several people are trapped in the wreckage and this is a long way from the nearest Trauma Unit.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04It's a serious RTA at Brompton-on-Swale, near Richmond.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06Just next to Catterick races.
0:02:06 > 0:02:13The crew of Helimed 99 have been scrambled from their base at Leeds/Bradford airport.
0:02:13 > 0:02:20Pilot Steve Cobb, paramedic Darren Axe and flying doctor Andy Pountney are a highly skilled team.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24By air it should take them 20 minutes to get to the scene.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28But this case is so serious despatcher Dave Gardner is also
0:02:28 > 0:02:34sending Helimed 98 from Sheffield, 30 miles further south.
0:02:34 > 0:02:4099 is already en route. There are three patients, it's a bad entrapment.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43So, I want to get you started on it just in case it really is bad.
0:02:43 > 0:02:48This is the first time that both Yorkshire air ambulances have been sent to the same incident.
0:02:48 > 0:02:53But two helicopters heading to the same scene isn't without risks.
0:02:53 > 0:03:00If we get to the scene first, we can check out the landing site and have communications with them as well
0:03:00 > 0:03:05with the hand-held radio and keep them updated on the way in.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07From their base in South Yorkshire it's going to
0:03:07 > 0:03:10take the crew of Helimed 98 at least half an hour to catch up.
0:03:10 > 0:03:15They need to hurry because the latest news from the accident scene isn't good.
0:03:15 > 0:03:20One female has come from the back seat and gone into the front,
0:03:20 > 0:03:22she's trapped in the foot well.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24There's a male trapped in the foot well as well.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28Air bag's gone off and it looks like the driver,
0:03:28 > 0:03:30they're querying spinal injuries on the scene.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34We're en route. We're working out what you're priorities are when you land
0:03:34 > 0:03:38because your first priority is getting yourself down safely.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Then you've just got to make an assessment of the scene,
0:03:41 > 0:03:44but your first job is going to be doing a recce and overview of the scene,
0:03:44 > 0:03:49to try to work out what casualties you've got, what resources you've got at the scene.
0:03:49 > 0:03:54Helimed 99 is almost there. Flying doctor Andy Pountney's an experienced Trauma Specialist
0:03:54 > 0:03:58but with three patients, he knows he'll have his work cut out.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01One, two, three, four casualties. OK.
0:04:01 > 0:04:08This guy's been in this car. He's got a pulse rate of 77. He's got abdominal pain and guarding.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11Hello,
0:04:11 > 0:04:13my name's Andy I'm a doctor.
0:04:14 > 0:04:20The fire service have taken one of the cars apart to allow the paramedics to treat the patients.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25The police investigation has already started.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27I cannot bend my elbow, my left elbow.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29I don't want you to move it. Keep it still for me.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32The driver of one of the cars is trapped behind the wheel.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36He's got multiple fractures and he's in pain but he's hiding it well.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38We've got a number of patients.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41Andy's giving the first patient a look he may have an abdominal bleed.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43The other guy's got multiple fractures.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47The lady on the other side of the car's not looking too well,
0:04:47 > 0:04:50so we're gonna get at it as quickly as we can.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53Mate there's morphine 10, do you want to give that to the guy there?
0:04:53 > 0:04:55I'll check the guy on the other side.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57As the team struggle to cope on the scene,
0:04:57 > 0:05:00Helimed 98 is still speeding north.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03Just to the left of Catterick Garrison, I think it is.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05Yeah I've got it, mate.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08But they're still a long way off.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12Back on the ground the driver of the black car has the most serious injuries
0:05:12 > 0:05:14and Dr Andy Pountney is worried.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17His main complaint is pain in his abdomen, he's also got
0:05:17 > 0:05:20quite a lot of pain in his pelvis and he's got quite low blood pressure.
0:05:20 > 0:05:25So, we're concerned there may be some inter-abdominal bleeding, but also his pelvis may be broken.
0:05:25 > 0:05:30But there is not a lot we can do for bleeding inside the abdomen, out here. He needs to be in hospital.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33Two other victims of the crash will go to hospital by road.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36But the two drivers need more specialist care.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39Hang on one sec, guys. What we are going to do now is move down
0:05:39 > 0:05:42and across to the middle in one movement, about six inches.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45This is a remote part of North Yorkshire
0:05:45 > 0:05:49and the nearest intensive care unit is at least 25 minutes away by road,
0:05:49 > 0:05:51and there's only one helicopter.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55His pain has gone up now to about a seven, even after the 10 of morphine we have given him.
0:05:55 > 0:06:00Dr. Andy and paramedic Daz need reinforcements, quickly.
0:06:05 > 0:06:13Coming up, one man's in agony, the other's critically injured and Helimed 98 is badly needed, now.
0:06:13 > 0:06:18There's not a lot we can do for any bleeding inside the abdomen, out here, he needs to be in hospital.
0:06:18 > 0:06:24Adding insult to injury the victim of a fork lift, truck accident gets a lift.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27You need to use sort of anything you can that'll assist you.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33Helimed 99 is scrambled to a school bus crash.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41For thousands of people, the moors of Yorkshire are a playground
0:06:41 > 0:06:44and shooting is still a big hobby up here.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49I wouldn't fancy being one of these.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52The poor old grouse is too tasty for its own good.
0:06:52 > 0:06:57And hundreds of gamekeepers spend all year making sure the moors are a ideal habitat for them,
0:06:57 > 0:07:02by burning the heather to make sure there's plenty of green shoots for them to eat.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07It's usually the grouse who need help around here,
0:07:07 > 0:07:12but today the air ambulance is about to be scrambled because one of the gamekeepers is the casualty.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14Do you want to set off on it?
0:07:14 > 0:07:18On one of the most exclusive grouse moors in the Yorkshire Dales,
0:07:18 > 0:07:23a young keeper has been trapped under his overturned all-terrain vehicle.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25He could have serious crush injuries.
0:07:25 > 0:07:31The crew know a ground ambulance won't be able to get anywhere near him. This is a job for Helimed 98.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39Pilot Steve Cobb and paramedic Sammy Wills are both experienced air crew
0:07:39 > 0:07:46but they know that finding one man in such a huge expanse of moorland is going to be very difficult.
0:07:46 > 0:07:51They also know their patient's survival could depend on how fast they can find him.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53We're trying to guess. Is it a tractor, trailer,
0:07:53 > 0:07:57or is it like a fuel tanker?
0:07:57 > 0:08:02The person who made the call had to leave the patient just to get a signal to make the emergency call
0:08:02 > 0:08:04so it's a little unknown at this time.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08You can see physical injuries like broken legs, broken arms and blood
0:08:08 > 0:08:13but also you've got to be wary if they've caused internal injuries.
0:08:13 > 0:08:20As Helimed 98 races over the Dales, the paramedics' fears are realised.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23There are numerous farm vehicles and walkers scattered across the moors
0:08:23 > 0:08:25but there's no sign of the gamekeeper.
0:08:25 > 0:08:30- That looks like the shooting, we followed the one before. - Where's he gone to?
0:08:30 > 0:08:33All the shooting people there.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35They said near the shooting lodge, didn't they?
0:08:38 > 0:08:41We're just trying to track down where this patient is
0:08:41 > 0:08:45and we're doing a best guess of following something that's moving.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49That green thing there. You go up the hill there's a green thing near the wall.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53- Big wave. 11 o'clock.- We've got it.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58They would never have got an ambulance up here.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01They've finally found their patient, and it doesn't look good.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05The gamekeeper's been trapped for more than an hour.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09He only managed to attract help by firing his shotgun in the air.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Pilot Steve decides to get closer to the scene.
0:09:11 > 0:09:16The patient's colleagues are desperately trying to secure the ATV to stop it crushing him further.
0:09:16 > 0:09:24But in the chaos a quad bike almost pushes the ATV over, putting paramedic Pat's life in danger too.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28What we don't want to do is to move it and have it come back again, all right.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34The man's been trapped for over an hour. Pat needs to act fast.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37The blood supply to his trapped legs has been cut off
0:09:37 > 0:09:40and if they're not released soon they might need to be amputated.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43But this might be the least of his worries.
0:09:46 > 0:09:52The ATV is resting precariously and could fall at any moment, and Pat's just spotted another hazard.
0:09:52 > 0:09:58It was full of gas canisters, cans of petrol and shotgun cartridges,
0:09:58 > 0:10:02they're all flammable, explosive and scattered around the patient.
0:10:02 > 0:10:09This is a very hazardous situation and Pat needs to get his patient out before it gets worse.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12Just give us a couple of minutes, mate.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14- What's happened?- He's rolled over.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21What we're gonna do... we're gonna take the weight but not pull it all the way over.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23Take the weight, and drag him out.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28One slip and the gamekeeper could be crushed under the full weight of the vehicle.
0:10:28 > 0:10:33Normally, they'd call in the fire brigade but they're miles from the nearest road.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42Coming up. He survived shotgun cartridges,
0:10:42 > 0:10:46gas cylinders and an upturned vehicle,
0:10:46 > 0:10:47but have they saved his foot?
0:10:47 > 0:10:49Take the weight and drag him out.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53Two drivers get twice the treatment in half
0:10:53 > 0:10:59the time as the entire air ambulance fleet is scrambled to one crash.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05And, why paramedic Sammy thinks she's in more danger here than in the air.
0:11:05 > 0:11:10When you're driving effectively you're in control of a missile.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18The flying paramedics rarely go anywhere without their rucksacks.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21And they dispense painkilling drugs almost every day.
0:11:21 > 0:11:26But, sometimes they come across a patient who's a little tougher than the rest.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32Helimed 98 is getting the same treatment as a Royal flight this morning.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34Its rush hour at Leeds/Bradford airport
0:11:34 > 0:11:39but air traffic control makes sure everything gives way to the flying medics.
0:11:39 > 0:11:44They are on their way to a farmer's warehouse where a lorry driver's been injured
0:11:44 > 0:11:47in an accident involving a fork-lift truck.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52My foot is likely to drop off.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54You think it is or are you sure it is?
0:11:54 > 0:11:56I'm sure it is because when I got up it were right round.
0:11:56 > 0:12:03John Dinsdale's amazingly calm for a man whose ankle is so badly broken he thinks it's almost severed.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Don't move,
0:12:05 > 0:12:09I want to be able to have a look.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13It feels as if it's all broke off in there and it were all over there.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15No blood, which is a good thing.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19If it's broken but it's closed, that helps us.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22We're going to have to put a splint on this.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24This boot's got to come off.
0:12:24 > 0:12:31Most patients require an armful of painkillers before they can have a boot removed from a broken leg.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34John seems virtually immune to pain.
0:12:34 > 0:12:40- Got it?- Don't want it drop! - We only drop people on Thursdays(!)
0:12:45 > 0:12:48- Keep still.- Eeh, my best socks. They were!
0:12:48 > 0:12:52John was picking up a load when he had a nasty accident.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56He ran over us with forklift.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02If we try and put some traction on this, it's going to hurt.
0:13:02 > 0:13:03Yeah go on.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10John's leg is broken in five places. It's no ordinary break.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- It's going to be painful, that's what I'm telling you. - You do what you want.
0:13:13 > 0:13:20Paramedics Daz and Pete know most people would be screaming in agony if they tried this without morphine.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22- Are you all right?- We're all right,
0:13:24 > 0:13:28it should be other way round we should be asking you if you're all right?
0:13:28 > 0:13:33I've just put 14 stone 10 of beef on t'back of that, and you still didn't shout.
0:13:33 > 0:13:38Their patient's resistance to pain is amazing paramedics Pete and Daz.
0:13:38 > 0:13:43He's got quite a nasty lower leg fracture involving his ankle.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47He's obviously in some pain but he's tolerating it quite well.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50If that had been me I would have been screaming my head off.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53We've got access now in case his pain gets any worse
0:13:53 > 0:13:56and transfer him through to LGI where they'll have an X-ray
0:13:56 > 0:14:00of that leg to find out exactly what damage he's done in there.
0:14:00 > 0:14:05Last year 14 people were killed and nearly 2,000 were injured by fork-lift trucks in the UK.
0:14:05 > 0:14:11John's just become another statistic for the transport industry.
0:14:11 > 0:14:18But, the vehicle he blames for his broken leg is about to come in very useful for Helimed 98's crew.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20What we are going to do now is set this onto the fork-lift.
0:14:20 > 0:14:27- Who's best driver? - Alan he'll be right. Go on.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31We're going be all right, don't worry.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36Someone else will have to drive John's articulated lorry back to North Yorkshire.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40He's going to be a passenger for a while.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43Any type of vehicle we can get at, that will assist us in transferring a
0:14:43 > 0:14:47patient from the accident back to the aircraft we're going to use that
0:14:49 > 0:14:53because the chances of slipping, or falling when you've got a patient,
0:14:53 > 0:14:55especially in an industrial environment.
0:14:55 > 0:15:00This is quite clean and clear, you need to use sort of anything that you can that will assist you really.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03Within five minutes of leaving the scene of his accident
0:15:03 > 0:15:09John's touching down at Leeds General Infirmary where surgeons will operate on his shattered leg.
0:15:11 > 0:15:12All the best, John.
0:15:12 > 0:15:17It's been just another day at work for the crew of Helimed 98
0:15:17 > 0:15:22but for their patient, this is the start of a six-month ordeal.
0:15:22 > 0:15:27Not only did John go on to contract MRSA after surgery,
0:15:27 > 0:15:33he returned home to a caravan he's been camping in while renovating a new home single-handed.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37The ankle is just mush,
0:15:37 > 0:15:39so they've put a plate in
0:15:39 > 0:15:42and hopefully the bone's going to grow back through it.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45At the present it's all sort of screwed together solid.
0:15:45 > 0:15:52As you can see there's loads of things to do like, and just hobbling about one leg!
0:15:52 > 0:15:57And the renovation of John's country cottage is on hold until he can get back up on his ladders.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59It's going to be a long wait.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08Coming up. A dangerous rescue as the crew fight to save a trapped patient's foot.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12Were going to take the weight but not pull it all the way over.
0:16:12 > 0:16:17And the paramedics treat a trucker who became a human cannonball.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19And lived.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28Air ambulances don't have blue lights and two-tones,
0:16:28 > 0:16:32but they do get top priority from the air traffic controllers who police the skies.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35Sometimes they need it.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40There's been a major accident on a road in North Yorkshire.
0:16:40 > 0:16:46One man's trapped with multiple fractures and another driver has bad abdominal injuries.
0:16:46 > 0:16:53Flying doctor Andy Pountney and paramedic Darren Axe are already at the scene.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56And they're fighting to stabilise both men in difficult conditions.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59Not a lot we can do for bleeding inside the abdomen, out here,
0:16:59 > 0:17:01he needs to be in hospital.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03More help is on the way.
0:17:03 > 0:17:08The accident is so serious, that the second Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopter
0:17:08 > 0:17:12has been called in to back them up. But Helimed 98 will be some time.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16It's set off from its base in Sheffield, half an hour away.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20And paramedics Pete Vallence and Lee Davidson can't fly any faster.
0:17:22 > 0:17:27We're still en route to North Yorkshire to back up Helimed 99,
0:17:27 > 0:17:31and the ground crews. I think this will be a first for Yorkshire Air Ambulance
0:17:31 > 0:17:35having two aircraft on the ground at the same time for the same incident.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38On the ground, Pete's skills are badly needed.
0:17:39 > 0:17:45- How's your pain doing?- Oh, it's... - What, sorry?- Painful.- OK.
0:17:45 > 0:17:50The injured motorist is ready to be air-lifted to hospital.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52But for now, Dr Andy is on his own.
0:17:52 > 0:17:57Paramedic Darren has to stay with the other driver until the second air ambulance arrives.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00Can you squeeze my fingers with that hand?
0:18:00 > 0:18:03That's great. Just relax again now, mate.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07While Darren stays behind, Andy and the team of firefighters
0:18:07 > 0:18:10carry Helimed 99's patient to the helicopter.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14And as he's loaded on board, there's a very welcoming sound from above.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21Helimed 98 has arrived in the nick of time.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25Pountney's on there, so we've obviously got one loaded.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29OK to go, mate?
0:18:29 > 0:18:33For pilots Steve Cobb and Tim Taylor, this is a big event.
0:18:33 > 0:18:38It's the first time that both Yorkshire Air Ambulances have been on the ground at the same incident.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44But the medical team have more on their minds.
0:18:44 > 0:18:49For the past 20 minutes, paramedic Darren has been looking after trapped driver, Mark James.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51Now Pete is finally able to take over.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55Mark, this is Pete, my mate who's gonna look after you, like the rest of these lads.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57See you later. See you, lads.
0:18:57 > 0:19:02It's good timing. Darren's needed at the helicopter.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06Dr Andy's patient has more serious injuries, and will be flown to hospital first.
0:19:06 > 0:19:11He's got multiple fractures from this collision's nasty impact.
0:19:11 > 0:19:17We had couple of doctors on the scene, and, obviously, Andy.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21They've loaded one patient up on this already.
0:19:21 > 0:19:26We're ready to take off after so it's working out a treat.
0:19:26 > 0:19:31But this isn't over yet. James is still trapped with multiple broken bones.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35Pete has to get him out of his wrecked car.
0:19:35 > 0:19:42Did they say what we're going to do? Put this board underneath and swing your arms round.
0:19:42 > 0:19:47This has been a high-speed impact. Both cars are badly damaged.
0:19:47 > 0:19:53Seat belts and air bags have kept the drives alive but the team has to move fast.
0:19:53 > 0:19:58Helimed 99 was the first helicopter on the scene.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01Andy Pountney knows his patient is in a bad way.
0:20:01 > 0:20:08He must carefully monitor his condition, heading for hospital at maximum speed.
0:20:08 > 0:20:15The main concern is a lot of pain in his upper abdomen so we're worried about bleeding from liver, spleen,
0:20:15 > 0:20:21but also he's very tender around the pelvis - you could lose a lot of blood from your abdomen,
0:20:21 > 0:20:25and you lose your bloody pressure and go into shock.
0:20:25 > 0:20:30What he potentially needs is surgery to stop the bleeding and we can't do that.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33It's a life-threatening injury.
0:20:38 > 0:20:44Coming up - can surgeons win the battle to save Helimed 99's patient?
0:20:44 > 0:20:47Abdominal bleeds are life-threatening.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51It's not long before the other driver is freed.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54A taxi driver crashes his cab.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57We're gonna slide you in.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59Now he needs a ride with Helimed 99.
0:21:05 > 0:21:11When the air ambulance touches down, the pilot has to look out for the safety of his crew and patients.
0:21:11 > 0:21:16But sometimes saving lives means taking a carefully calculated risk.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20Helimed 98 is in the Yorkshire Dales helping a gamekeeper
0:21:20 > 0:21:24been trapped under his vehicle for over an hour.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27Pat is faced with a dilemma.
0:21:29 > 0:21:34We're going to take the weight but not pull it all the way over.
0:21:34 > 0:21:38Trapped limbs need to be released slowly to prevent cardiac arrest.
0:21:38 > 0:21:45But paramedic Pat's patient is surrounded by gas canisters, petrol and shotgun cartridges.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49He decides the risk of leaving the man under the vehicle is too great.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52The fire brigade are too far away.
0:21:52 > 0:21:58The paramedics and the keeper's colleagues are the only ones who can rescue him.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03Within seconds it's all over
0:22:03 > 0:22:05and he's out.
0:22:05 > 0:22:12But Pat and Sammy Wills know he could still be in a serious condition.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16Crush injuries can lead to lethal complications.
0:22:16 > 0:22:23There is no way the fire brigade could get their kit up on to that moor so it was a matter of getting
0:22:23 > 0:22:26him out by the best possible means.
0:22:26 > 0:22:32When we got his boot off we found the tops of his toes were starting
0:22:32 > 0:22:37to go blue which is an indication that he was getting limited oxygen or blood supply to his toes.
0:22:37 > 0:22:45The blood that's below the trapped site starts to get toxic and once you then take off the trap,
0:22:45 > 0:22:52the toxic blood then comes into the system and can cause problems with the liver, the kidney and the heart.
0:22:52 > 0:22:58As blood starts to flow back into the man's foot it's an anxious wait. Pat monitors his condition.
0:22:58 > 0:23:03It seems the keeper's had a MIRACULOUS escape.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06He was just trapped by his ankle,
0:23:06 > 0:23:12a slow rollover so it was not high energy but he was pinned and his ankle has been quite blue.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16Despite being stuck in the middle of the Yorkshire Dales,
0:23:16 > 0:23:21being transported at 150mph means the keeper will be in hospital in just ten minutes.
0:23:21 > 0:23:26Safely on board he patient finally relives his dramatic accident.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30I was driving along to get some water and I was looking in beck.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32Obviously I drove off
0:23:32 > 0:23:39a bit of an edge and I jumped out to stop it coming over and it just flattened me.
0:23:39 > 0:23:44It started to go, you jumped out to stop it coming and your weight's
0:23:44 > 0:23:47taken you over and flattened you underneath it.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51- You should have just jumped out and run.- Should have in theory.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55The paramedics are used to the aftermath of accidents
0:23:55 > 0:24:00but few workers get away with such a serious incident with such minor injuries.
0:24:00 > 0:24:05They will definitely look at the injury, X-ray it as well.
0:24:05 > 0:24:10The fact that it was pinned and trapped for an hour, we've learnt,
0:24:10 > 0:24:12is a significant amount of time.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16He had had some circulation but it's been compromised.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20His toe nails were blue and he didn't put nail polish on them.
0:24:21 > 0:24:26Very, very lucky, you know, his head could have been crushed.
0:24:26 > 0:24:31He could have died if it had rolled over on him and been pinned as well.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35The keeper was soon back at work on the moors.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41Coming up - saving a trapped driver reaches a critical stage.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45We're just going to move you, all right?
0:24:50 > 0:24:54Flying in this chopper is one of the most glamorous jobs in the service.
0:24:54 > 0:24:59All the guys also do their time on the ground.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03Every other month in a vehicle with blue lights.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07They're highly skilled, drive thousands of miles a year
0:25:07 > 0:25:10behind the wheel of some of our largest vehicles.
0:25:13 > 0:25:19Whether its buses, taxis, tractors or articulated lorries, our roads
0:25:19 > 0:25:22are home to countless professional drivers
0:25:22 > 0:25:26and that includes the air ambulance paramedics.
0:25:26 > 0:25:31When she's not cruising at a 1,000 feet paramedic Sammy Wills has to
0:25:31 > 0:25:35race through the streets of Sheffield to reach her patients.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38This guy hasn't seen me.
0:25:38 > 0:25:44Sammy is highly trained and must have razor sharp reactions to cope with driving at such high speeds.
0:25:44 > 0:25:49This person is still going to turn right. Ah, there you go.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52She knows how dangerous our roads are.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55When you're driving,
0:25:55 > 0:25:59you're in charge of a missile and it's how you keep that missile safe,
0:25:59 > 0:26:05because it is a weapon that can seriously hurt and even kill people.
0:26:05 > 0:26:10But even when Sammy's on duty with the air ambulance,
0:26:10 > 0:26:16it's not always a £3 million helicopter that transports her to the scene of the accident.
0:26:16 > 0:26:22It's a foggy morning and the weather has forced Sammy, paramedic Pat Greaken and Dr Wyatt
0:26:22 > 0:26:28out of the helicopter and into the air ambulance's rapid response vehicle.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32We're going to a car crash at Church Hill.
0:26:32 > 0:26:37The reason we're going by car is because it is very foggy.
0:26:44 > 0:26:50- Hello, young lady. Anybody else involved?- No, just the one car. - Hello, how you doing?
0:26:50 > 0:26:54Unlike Pat, Ruth Tetley and Janet Nottingham have been caught out by
0:26:54 > 0:26:59the treacherous road conditions and they've hit a barrier hard.
0:26:59 > 0:27:04I don't quite know why we went straight into that.
0:27:04 > 0:27:09They both seem OK at the moment, Sammy and Ben, the doctor, are just checking them out.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12I'm just going to listen to your chest.
0:27:12 > 0:27:17They both appear to have avoided serious injury but its freezing cold
0:27:17 > 0:27:22and the paramedics know elderly patients can deteriorate quickly.
0:27:22 > 0:27:28Ruth and Janet were caught out by ice, a mistake many ordinary motorists will make today.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30But an increasing volume of work
0:27:30 > 0:27:37involves professional drivers like themselves, people who use the roads for a living.
0:27:39 > 0:27:44When I am on the helicopter a lot of the jobs we go to are car crashes.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47Often professional drivers, on the roads for hours -
0:27:47 > 0:27:52taxi drivers, lorry drivers, and unfortunately it's their livelihood
0:27:52 > 0:27:56so they're more likely to be involved in car accidents.
0:27:56 > 0:28:01Often when we go for lorry drivers, they have large steering wheels.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04They don't all have to legally wear a seat belt either.
0:28:04 > 0:28:10When they're breaking, they've got all the load behind them and that causes such massive injuries.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14Few people do more miles every year than delivery drivers.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17Some clock up 1,000 miles a week.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21And on a country road in North Yorkshire a lorry carrying sofas
0:28:21 > 0:28:27has collided with a dry stone wall, and Helimed 98 is on the way.
0:28:27 > 0:28:32A road traffic accident involving an HGV.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36It appears the driver was ejected out of the wagon.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39But luck can play a part in every accident,
0:28:39 > 0:28:45and as Helimed 98 arrives, they find their patient doesn't need them.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48The driver is putting his feet up in a land ambulance
0:28:48 > 0:28:51having escaped with a few grazes.
0:28:51 > 0:28:56The paramedics can scarcely believe their eyes.
0:28:56 > 0:29:03The gentleman who has been ejected appears minor injuries and the road crew are happy to convey him.
0:29:03 > 0:29:09Tony is left to look after the driver's mate, who is suffering from whiplash.
0:29:09 > 0:29:14He too has had a very lucky escape considering the force of the impact.
0:29:14 > 0:29:18His most serious injury is a graze to his knuckles.
0:29:22 > 0:29:28I don't know what caused him to swerve into the wall but it's certainly made a big impact.
0:29:28 > 0:29:33I'd expect to see mass devastation but he's as happy as Larry.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35They are both travelling by road
0:29:35 > 0:29:40because at the moment there's no significant injuries that we can see.
0:29:40 > 0:29:44Many truck drivers don't wear seat belts and many pay the price
0:29:44 > 0:29:49with more serious injuries than they would otherwise have sustained.
0:29:49 > 0:29:54Thanks to a soft landing on the grass, this trucker's beaten the odds.
0:29:54 > 0:30:00Message from your colleague is don't forget to take the tachograph out. And he'll see you at work tomorrow.
0:30:00 > 0:30:07These chaps are exceedingly lucky I've seen is a little graze that I wouldn't even put a plaster on.
0:30:07 > 0:30:14Both truckers were taken to hospital as precaution but tests confirmed that their injuries were minor.
0:30:14 > 0:30:19Nine times out of ten if you attend an incident where somebody's been
0:30:19 > 0:30:24ejected through a windscreen you'd expect some major trauma,
0:30:24 > 0:30:30so how he got away with minor injuries, I can't believe how lucky he's been.
0:30:32 > 0:30:38Its serious enough when drivers crash with valuable goods in the back but back in Sheffield,
0:30:38 > 0:30:41Sammy knows only too well that when that cargo
0:30:41 > 0:30:46is a large number of passengers, there's even more pressure.
0:30:46 > 0:30:52For the driver it's often more stressful purely because they've got the responsibility of the passengers.
0:30:52 > 0:30:57I know how it feels driving a patient in the back of my ambulance.
0:30:57 > 0:31:02I have to be aware of them and especially brand-new babies.
0:31:02 > 0:31:07The most precious cargo on board and you just have to be extra safe.
0:31:07 > 0:31:12Passengers on vehicles like buses don't always sit quietly and let the driver concentrate on driving
0:31:12 > 0:31:16and that can have disastrous consequences.
0:31:18 > 0:31:24When we've been involved in incidents that are bus drivers, minibuses, double decker buses,
0:31:24 > 0:31:30not only have we got the driver who's at the front of the impact, but multiple casualties to deal with.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34At air ambulance headquarters this morning the adrenalin's pumping.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38Hanging out of the bus window, covered in blood.
0:31:38 > 0:31:44An accident involving a school bus is about as serious as it gets.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47On a coast road near Bridlington,
0:31:47 > 0:31:51a bus full of children has collided with a van.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54The crew of Helimed 99 know emergency services
0:31:54 > 0:31:58from all over East Yorkshire are being scrambled to the incident.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02They're likely to be given the most seriously injured patient.
0:32:02 > 0:32:07Looking at this and the location of the incident and the vehicles,
0:32:07 > 0:32:13this would dictate that you get as many to hospital as possible.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17The fastest transport for a patient is this aircraft.
0:32:17 > 0:32:22The accident's in the middle of Beeford but pilot Paul Curtis
0:32:22 > 0:32:25eyes a handy landing site next to the crash.
0:32:25 > 0:32:31I will put you down, guys, on the road that comes out the south.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35- Left of that big open field. - That field, that looks all right.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38I can't see any wires or obstructions.
0:32:38 > 0:32:42They're experts at sizing up a landing site,
0:32:42 > 0:32:46looking for and other obstacles that can endanger the chopper.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51- Lovely.- OK, down.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55A local doctor is already on the scene.
0:32:55 > 0:33:00A two-vehicle RTA. A gentleman got quite nasty facial lacerations.
0:33:00 > 0:33:06Once again, luck has played a part - despite the impact all the children
0:33:06 > 0:33:11on the bus have escaped unhurt, but their driver is badly injured.
0:33:11 > 0:33:17Obviously could have been much more serious with it being a school bus but fortunately no schoolchildren
0:33:17 > 0:33:19seem to have been injured.
0:33:19 > 0:33:26This vehicle's been coming down the main road, this vehicle's come out and they've collided like that.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28Some force to knock it that distance.
0:33:28 > 0:33:33The only casualty we've seen is the driver of this vehicle,
0:33:33 > 0:33:39and that seems to be facial injuries and lacerations, he's lost a fair amount of blood there.
0:33:39 > 0:33:45This guy's been packaged so we'll get him on board and fly him down to Hull and get him assessed.
0:33:45 > 0:33:51John Marr was driving 15 kids on his regular route to a local school when the accident happened.
0:33:53 > 0:33:59Now he's on his way to hospital for surgery to his badly injured face.
0:33:59 > 0:34:05After an overall exam the only thing we're concerned about is this nasty scalp wound.
0:34:05 > 0:34:12Situation being it didn't look like a high speed crash but with a coach being involved and a van as well,
0:34:12 > 0:34:19the transference of energy and the level of impact is probably what's brought on this head injury.
0:34:19 > 0:34:25Bus drivers have to accept responsibility for 40 or more lives, often children.
0:34:25 > 0:34:29John's unlikely to forget his accident.
0:34:29 > 0:34:34Many bus drivers find it difficult to return to work after a crash.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38Six months later, John is still undergoing
0:34:38 > 0:34:44medical treatment for his injury which has cost him some movement on one side of his face.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51All professional drivers have a tough job
0:34:51 > 0:34:55but there's one group Sammy has particular sympathy for.
0:34:55 > 0:35:01Taxi drivers drive for a living full time and they are often at risk
0:35:01 > 0:35:08just by the nature of the people they are picking up, particularly Friday, Saturday nights.
0:35:08 > 0:35:13A bit like us - picking up quite a lot of drunk patients.
0:35:13 > 0:35:20But I think statistically, anybody who drives for a living, particularly taxi drivers,
0:35:20 > 0:35:24statistically they are more likely to have an accident.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28Helimed 99 is on its way to help out a cabbie
0:35:28 > 0:35:33affected by another hazard of the trade - a road accident.
0:35:33 > 0:35:38Keith Bailey was on his way home when he was involved in a shunt.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42He's taken a bad blow to the head.
0:35:42 > 0:35:48OK, I'm going in between the lay-by behind the silver car.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51Ian decides to touch down.
0:35:51 > 0:35:57The road's been closed and Keith has already been prepared for his flight to hospital by ground crews.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07Keith's not making much sense.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11Go on, Len, open door.
0:36:11 > 0:36:16Paramedic Simon questions him to determine his level of consciousness.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19Can you remember what's happened?
0:36:22 > 0:36:28These are classic symptoms of concussion or another more worrying form of brain injury.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31Listen to me, we're going to slide you in.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34But at least within a few minutes
0:36:34 > 0:36:39he'll be under observation at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield.
0:36:43 > 0:36:50The gentleman has some sort of head injury concussion or possibly cerebral irritation.
0:36:50 > 0:36:52He's constantly repeating himself.
0:36:52 > 0:36:57The crew knew we were coming so they got the patient packaged for us.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03Straight off. When everything works like this, it's fantastic.
0:37:03 > 0:37:08Keith recovered and is now back at work as a cabbie,
0:37:08 > 0:37:12with a much greater awareness of the dangers of his job.
0:37:16 > 0:37:22You don't need to tell Sammy that driving for a living is a risky business.
0:37:22 > 0:37:27But she won't be making a career change any time soon.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29I consider this as my office.
0:37:29 > 0:37:34It's got chairs, bed, sat nav, I've got a portable office.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36I love my office.
0:37:42 > 0:37:48Now, let's catch up on that story we brought you earlier.
0:37:49 > 0:37:57In North Yorkshire a bad car crash has called both air ambulances into action together for the first time.
0:37:57 > 0:38:01Helimed 99 from Leeds airport and Helimed 98 from Sheffield
0:38:01 > 0:38:04are taking care of two injured drivers.
0:38:05 > 0:38:11Both men are badly in need of hospital treatment after a head on collision on a country road.
0:38:11 > 0:38:17Helimed 99 with paramedic Darren Axe and flying doctor Andy Pountney has already lifted off.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21Their patient has got serious internal injuries.
0:38:23 > 0:38:28They are potentially life threatening injuries so she needs to be in A&E as soon as possible.
0:38:28 > 0:38:33But Helimed 98's paramedics Pete Valance and Lee Davidson
0:38:33 > 0:38:35are staying with the other driver.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39Mark James has been trapped behind the wheel with a broken arm.
0:38:39 > 0:38:44This stuff is weird, OK? It will make you go completely fuzzy.
0:38:44 > 0:38:50Firefighters have cut the roof off and Pete is ready to get him out.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53Just keep still for two minutes while we get the board underneath.
0:38:53 > 0:38:58Mark is incredibly calm considering he has multiple fractures.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01The pain relieving drugs he's been given are helping,
0:39:01 > 0:39:04but that could change when they move him.
0:39:04 > 0:39:1017 miles away Helimed 99 is already landing at James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough.
0:39:14 > 0:39:22It's taken them just eight minutes to bring the seriously injured driver to the medical care he needs.
0:39:25 > 0:39:30Its not always the people who appear to have the most visual injuries
0:39:30 > 0:39:33that become the priorities.
0:39:33 > 0:39:38The gentleman that we've brought in has got quite a painful abdomen,
0:39:38 > 0:39:43closed bleeds to the abdomen are really life threatening.
0:39:43 > 0:39:48As Helimed 99's patient is taken to A&E, back at the scene of the crash
0:39:48 > 0:39:53paramedic Pete is guiding Mark out of his wrecked car as gently as possible.
0:39:53 > 0:39:58Now, we're just going to move you. Try to keep your head still.
0:39:58 > 0:40:05Mark is in good spirits but Pete knows he's been stuck for long enough and has to be moved quickly.
0:40:05 > 0:40:10We're going to ease you down, OK? Just nice and steady down, chaps.
0:40:10 > 0:40:16Mark's in pain but his leg's broken and Lee has to make sure
0:40:16 > 0:40:21it's splinted properly before he's put onto the helicopter.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24Mark, we'll get this leg sorted.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27He seems stable at the moment.
0:40:27 > 0:40:32Looks like he's got a long bone leg fracture. Couple of other injuries.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36So, we'll make our way up and join Helimed 99 at South Cleveland.
0:40:40 > 0:40:46For all the damage to the car and the time he's been trapped, he's very stable.
0:40:46 > 0:40:50His general condition is pretty good.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54No major cause for concern at the moment.
0:40:54 > 0:41:01It's another short flight - Mark is going to the same hospital as the other driver.
0:41:01 > 0:41:06And there are some familiar faces waiting for them.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10It's another first - both air ambulances side by side again.
0:41:10 > 0:41:16Both of their patients getting the urgent hospital care they need.
0:41:16 > 0:41:22Once we knew we were required, the adrenalin starts going.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26To have two aircraft together at a scene like that is very unusual,
0:41:26 > 0:41:32and it was obviously a bad incident for us both to be required.
0:41:32 > 0:41:38From the outset, we always envisaged two aircraft at a job.
0:41:38 > 0:41:42This just proves that the plans were going in the right direction.
0:41:42 > 0:41:46That's what the people of Yorkshire
0:41:46 > 0:41:50donated the money for, to get both aircraft
0:41:50 > 0:41:56onto the same scene when required, and take two casualties to the nearest specialist hospital.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00Good way to start the day. A good job to be involved with.
0:42:00 > 0:42:05With their patients in hospital, it's time to return to base.
0:42:05 > 0:42:12One to Leeds, the other to Sheffield, ready to do it all again at a moment's notice.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17That's all from Helicopter Heroes but when we come back...
0:42:17 > 0:42:19Put a chest drain in.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23The flying doctor is forced to perform surgery at the roadside.
0:42:26 > 0:42:32An injured pensioner has lain all night in the open air but can she survive severe hypothermia?
0:42:36 > 0:42:39And a boy whose dad owes him his life.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42He organised everything. I was in agony.
0:42:42 > 0:42:49And smiling through the pain, a Pennine rambler decides laughter's the best medicine.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51OK, I'm relaxing.