0:00:04 > 0:00:08If you're seriously ill or critically injured, every second counts.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11Especially if you're up high or off the beaten track.
0:00:11 > 0:00:16But, thanks to these guys, the people of the UK's biggest county
0:00:16 > 0:00:19are never more than ten minutes away from a hospital.
0:00:19 > 0:00:23The Yorkshire Air Ambulance can do 150 miles an hour
0:00:23 > 0:00:26and every day brings a new life-or-death emergency.
0:00:46 > 0:00:52Five million people depend on these yellow helicopters to bring life-saving care from the skies.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56When a multiple pile-up closes Britain's highest motorway,
0:00:56 > 0:00:59or there's a serious accident on the shop floor,
0:00:59 > 0:01:05the highly trained paramedics and pilots of the Helimed team are there to rescue the casualties.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07Today, on Helicopter Heroes.
0:01:07 > 0:01:13There's a terrible coincidence as a paramedic finds himself fighting to save the life of a friend.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15He's a good friend. He's also a local firefighter.
0:01:15 > 0:01:21A mountain biker loses her front teeth, but Dr Andy is determined to save her smile.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23How does your jawbone feel?
0:01:23 > 0:01:25All right?
0:01:25 > 0:01:28A five-month-old baby is overcome by the hot sun.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40When you phone 999, you expect an ambulance.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42But what will really save your life
0:01:42 > 0:01:44is the knowledge of the guys in the vehicle.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48That's why more and more emergencies are being answered
0:01:48 > 0:01:49by rapid response vehicles.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53A car, plus paramedic, and an awful lot of know-how.
0:01:54 > 0:01:59At Helimed headquarters, the crew are on best behaviour today.
0:01:59 > 0:02:00The boss is on duty.
0:02:00 > 0:02:05Dr Alison Walker is the Medical Director of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service,
0:02:05 > 0:02:10responsible for supervising the work of nearly 4,000 staff.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13But she also likes to keep her medical skills up to scratch.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16And it's not long before she's airborne.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19We're going to a road traffic collision near Rotherham,
0:02:19 > 0:02:21where a pedestrian has been knocked down.
0:02:21 > 0:02:27We've been called by one of the Rapid Response vehicle clinicians.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30So it's likely that the patient has significant injuries.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34Any further information at the moment...
0:02:34 > 0:02:36'Roger 99. Update for you from control.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39'It's not a pedestrian that's been knocked down.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42'It's a motorcyclist that was travelling at unknown speed.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45It's a small world and, on a road near Rotherham,
0:02:45 > 0:02:49ground paramedic James Davis has just found out how small.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53His patient turns out to be a mate, firefighter Alastair McCorrick
0:02:53 > 0:02:56is badly injured after a bizarre bike accident.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00I came over the brow over the hill to see the bike coming flying across me
0:03:00 > 0:03:04and then I saw him rolling to a halt at the side of the kerb.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06And then just flipped over. Then I called for the paramedics.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08Alastair's critically ill.
0:03:08 > 0:03:13He has severe internal injuries and several broken bones.
0:03:13 > 0:03:19For ten minutes, James had to put aside his feelings and treat his friend like any other patient.
0:03:19 > 0:03:24Now reinforcements have arrived, he's still cool, calm and professional.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27Coming up the hill,
0:03:27 > 0:03:32this guy has been driving this way and has just seen a motorbike fly straight down into them woods
0:03:32 > 0:03:36in front of him at about 40 miles an hour. Nobody on it.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39Alastair's just laid exactly where we've got him now.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43No recollection of the incident, no recollection how fast he was going whatsoever.
0:03:43 > 0:03:49After Alastair was thrown off, his riderless bike carried on without him.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53Finally coming to a halt in undergrowth at the side of the road.
0:03:53 > 0:03:54Hi, there. Can you hear me?
0:03:54 > 0:03:57My name's Alison. I'm one of the doctors.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00Can you remember anything about coming up to this accident?
0:04:00 > 0:04:02No. I don't...
0:04:02 > 0:04:04remember hitting the kerb.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07Alastair also has a haemothorax.
0:04:07 > 0:04:12This is where blood has leaked into the cavity between the lungs and the chest wall.
0:04:12 > 0:04:17It usually means that one or both lungs collapse - and that can be fatal.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21He desperately needs hospital care. Now.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23Just want to try and move his arm.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26- We're just going to touch you arm gently, OK?- OK.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32But Alison's skills means one of the most important things he would find
0:04:32 > 0:04:36in a trauma unit, a consultant's expertise, has come to him.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39We're going to put something very tight around your hips. OK?
0:04:39 > 0:04:42It might be a bit uncomfortable for a few seconds while we put it on.
0:04:42 > 0:04:47Dr Alison knows Alastair's injuries could easily prove fatal.
0:04:47 > 0:04:53She's seen injured riders like this before and she knows they can deteriorate quickly.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11It's quick, clean and good for you.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13But cycling can be dangerous if you come off.
0:05:13 > 0:05:18And even wearing the right equipment won't always save you.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25It's a hot Sunday in May and the Helimed team
0:05:25 > 0:05:29is en route to the Derwent Reservoir, high in the Peak District.
0:05:29 > 0:05:34- Head injury, unconscious 25-year-old male, wasn't it?- Car versus cyclist.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36Yes. It's down just where the clearing is.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39There looks to be a... The road looks to be blocked.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42Yeah, there's someone laying in road there.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45The scene of the accident is surrounded by dense woodland.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48The only choice is to land as close as possible.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52Pilot Steve carefully lands the chopper on the bank of the reservoir.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00Would you mind grabbing her head for me?
0:06:00 > 0:06:03- What's your name?- Claire.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05My name's Andy. One of the doctors.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07Clare Dumford is in a bad way.
0:06:07 > 0:06:12She was cycling with her husband when a sudden gust of wind took her by surprise.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15She set off down road on her bike coming down here.
0:06:15 > 0:06:16Her hat's tried blowing off.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19She's gone to grab it, she's gone over the handlebars.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21It's about all I know at the minute.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Claire hit the tarmac face first.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26The impact has knocked out two of her front teeth.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30For Dr Andy, there's only one course of action.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32Claire's teeth must be reinserted immediately.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34This collar's coming on, Claire.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37Open nice and wide for me.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42I'm sorry. Just bear with me.
0:06:42 > 0:06:43SHE SCREAMS
0:06:43 > 0:06:45There we go. Well done.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48Well done, Claire. OK?
0:06:48 > 0:06:53Amazingly, the two front teeth are pushed back into their sockets.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55How does your jawbone feel?
0:06:55 > 0:06:59- All right?- Had you been having a good day out up until this, then?
0:06:59 > 0:07:01- Only just set off. - Have you? Oh, right.
0:07:01 > 0:07:07The accident is blocking a busy road, but before Claire can be moved, she must be immobilised.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09My neck hurts on my left side.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13Have you ever had any morphine before or anything like that?
0:07:13 > 0:07:15That's what we're going to give you.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18Just pop a little needle into your arm.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21With the helicopter still some distance away,
0:07:21 > 0:07:24paramedic Glen has enlisted the help of the local park ranger.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28For the park service, any sunny day is a busy day
0:07:28 > 0:07:32but they will make time to transport Claire back to Helimed 99.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36It's an exceptionally busy day. We're dealing with all sorts of things.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40People in the water, accidents such as this and a number of minor accidents today as well.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42Ready, steady, move.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45She's certainly got lots of abrasions to her chest wall.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47She's got wounds and injuries to her face
0:07:47 > 0:07:49and she's knocked out her two front teeth.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52She's complaining of pain down the left side of her neck.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54Luckily, her teeth were found and we've put them back in
0:07:54 > 0:07:58after giving them a clean, just to try to salvage the teeth.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05Now the race is on to get Claire to hospital for essential testing.
0:08:05 > 0:08:11Despite Dr Andy's efforts, there's no certainty that her teeth will re-root themselves.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14Only time will tell if it's possible to save Claire's smile.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34Everyone loves the sun, but you can have too much of a good thing.
0:08:34 > 0:08:39Hot weather can be especially dangerous if you're very young or very old.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43And if you're out in the country, it can be hard to escape it.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47The Estate of Bolton Abbey lies in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
0:08:49 > 0:08:56The ruined 12th century priory is just one of the attractions on the 30,000 acres of land.
0:08:56 > 0:09:01So when Helimed 99 gets a call about a baby girl who's having a fit
0:09:01 > 0:09:07somewhere in the grounds of Bolton Abbey, the team knows it's going to be a difficult job to locate her.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Bolton Abbey, very scenic.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Aye. Do you know whereabouts?
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- No idea, mate.- Yeah. "In the woods at Bolton Abbey"
0:09:14 > 0:09:16could be anywhere, couldn't it?
0:09:16 > 0:09:21Then dispatcher Dave Gardner radios through with some extra details.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24'Roger. I've had another talk with control.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27'It sounds like they're definitely the other side
0:09:27 > 0:09:31'of the stepping-stones opposite the abbey by the big field.
0:09:31 > 0:09:38'The six-month-old has stopped fitting, but is struggling with its breathing, over.'
0:09:38 > 0:09:39Roger. All received.
0:09:41 > 0:09:48If someone having a fit isn't dealt with correctly, it can result in long-term damage or even death.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50Prolonged fits can damage your brain,
0:09:50 > 0:09:54so if somebody fits for a period of time,
0:09:54 > 0:10:00certainly more than five to ten minutes, we'd be starting to get very concerned about them.
0:10:00 > 0:10:05It's one of the first sunny days after a long hard winter and Bolton Abbey is packed with visitors.
0:10:05 > 0:10:10- It must be on that prominence there. - Yeah, there's people waving.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- You see the beach behind us at 4 o'clock?- Yeah.
0:10:13 > 0:10:18There were people waving stuff at us just above the beach.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22Eight-month-old Phoebe Kelly is being taken out for the day
0:10:22 > 0:10:26by her Granny and Grandpa, when she suddenly started fitting.
0:10:26 > 0:10:31She doesn't have a history of epilepsy and it's been a frightening experience for all three of them.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33Hello. How are we doing?
0:10:36 > 0:10:37Oh, there we are.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41Tell me what's happened.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44She just went limp, basically.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48She was in my arms asleep, next thing we knew, she just stiffened up and started shaking.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- OK.- She was just staring.- No worries.
0:10:51 > 0:10:56It's quite common for kids of this age, it's what they call a febrile convulsion,
0:10:56 > 0:11:00especially when they've been poorly. They can have a little fit.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03And it's normally related to being too warm.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05Her head has been very hot.
0:11:05 > 0:11:10She's got a bit of a temperature, with her illness and probably being
0:11:10 > 0:11:13out here in the sun as well, she's just got too warm
0:11:13 > 0:11:16and basically your brain goes a little bit haywire for a minute.
0:11:16 > 0:11:21It's not like epilepsy. It's just related to her temperature.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23Phoebe has had a bit of a cold for the past few days,
0:11:23 > 0:11:26but nothing serious enough to stop her going out.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30Let me just do her temperature while we're waiting.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32Let's bob this in your ear, chicken.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36Oh! In your ear it goes.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Ooh. There we go. Nasty man's gone away now.
0:11:41 > 0:11:42Yeah, she's red hot.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46There we are. There we go.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50She's really hot, that's the problem.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Thank you, everyone!
0:11:55 > 0:11:58Phoebe's grandparents put her in a tent to stop her getting sunburnt,
0:11:58 > 0:12:01but this hasn't protected her from the heat.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05That's the thing, sometimes.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08When you're in a tent, although you're not in the direct sun, it gets warmer.
0:12:08 > 0:12:14The priority is now to get baby Phoebe's temperature down.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16It's dead common for kids to have febrile convulsion.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19It doesn't mean they're going to be epileptic or anything like that,
0:12:19 > 0:12:24but it's an incredibly frightening experience for parents to see.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27So, first time it happens, everybody's always really, really scared.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29But hopefully she should be fine.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33Just keep that on her face to keep her cool. That's all we're bothered about.
0:12:34 > 0:12:41It's only a ten-minute flight to Harrogate Hospital and then Granny's mind can be put at rest.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45When Phoebe gets there, she's checked out by paediatric specialists
0:12:45 > 0:12:47and they confirm Al's diagnosis.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52Back at home, Phoebe seems like a different child.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56She's already forgotten that traumatic day.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58But the rest of her family certainly haven't.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01When I got the phone-call, it was just panicking.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04The way that my mum had to tell me, with the helicopter in
0:13:04 > 0:13:06the background and there was no reception,
0:13:06 > 0:13:09I didn't really get a chance to hear the full story.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12All I heard was A&E! That's the only word that I really heard.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16Then you think, "Which A&E department, which child, which of my
0:13:16 > 0:13:20"children is it, where do I go, what do I do, what's wrong with them?"
0:13:20 > 0:13:24Just a whole load of emotions going through my head, really.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26We could see the helicopter circling
0:13:26 > 0:13:29and it was wonderful because the whole of Bolton Abbey
0:13:29 > 0:13:32just sort of stood up and went like this,
0:13:32 > 0:13:36as if to say, "Just get down here as soon as you can."
0:13:36 > 0:13:39And as soon as they came, I knew it was
0:13:39 > 0:13:41going to be a lot easier and at least
0:13:41 > 0:13:43a professional could then take over.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Let's return to the roadside in Rotherham where the team's trying
0:14:01 > 0:14:07to save a badly injured biker, who already owes his life to the prompt actions of one of his mates.
0:14:07 > 0:14:12Alastair McCorrick was injured in a freak accident.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16At the minute, we believe no other vehicles are involved.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20He's come up this hill and, as far as we've been told, he's come off his bike.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23We're still investigating. That's all I can tell you.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27It looks like he's come off it somehow
0:14:27 > 0:14:29and the bike's kept upright and gone in front of me.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31Don't know how.
0:14:31 > 0:14:37Alastair's a local firemen and the first paramedic on scene was James Davis, an old mate.
0:14:37 > 0:14:42He's had a helmet on, he's got no C-spine pain, but he's got no recollection, obviously.
0:14:42 > 0:14:48He's in the care of Dr Alison Walker, Medical Director of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service,
0:14:48 > 0:14:52who's out for a day as a flying doctor.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54We've got a pelvic splint on him now,
0:14:54 > 0:14:56we'll move him onto the board and see how uncomfortable it is.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59If it's very uncomfortable to move him,
0:14:59 > 0:15:02we'll maybe give him a stronger painkiller than morphine.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06Then we'll get him to the Northern General at Sheffield as soon as we can.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08Alastair has a long catalogue of injuries.
0:15:08 > 0:15:13So long, paramedic Sammy Wills has to read them off a note on her rubber glove.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15Hello, Med 99. From head to toe -
0:15:15 > 0:15:21fractured left humerus, chest - query haemothorax,
0:15:21 > 0:15:27abdomen - guarding and tight, pelvis - query fractured.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30SATs initially 89 and heart-rate 60.
0:15:30 > 0:15:36ETA, I will contact you when we are back at the aircraft. Over!
0:15:36 > 0:15:39He's had morphine which is a strong painkiller.
0:15:39 > 0:15:45We've moved his broken arm back into a better position and we've given him a bit of fluid on scene.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50James has been carefully monitoring his mate's condition.
0:15:50 > 0:15:55There is one good sign, he's fully conscious, but not much else.
0:15:55 > 0:15:56I'm really concerned about his pelvis.
0:15:56 > 0:16:02He's got a significant abdominal injury which may be where the clutch lever went into his side.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06He's got definite tension on the left side of his chest and possibly some blood in his chest.
0:16:06 > 0:16:07He's a very young, fit bloke.
0:16:07 > 0:16:12He's only 30. His observations currently tell us he's very fit.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15The problem with very fit people is that they compensate
0:16:15 > 0:16:18for a very long time and then they suddenly decompensate.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22He's also possibly got either air and/or blood in his chest and there's
0:16:22 > 0:16:27the possibility that the air becomes trapped and compresses the heart and lungs in the chest.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29So we're watching out for that as well.
0:16:29 > 0:16:36I'd just like to get him to hospital really quickly so they can give him a full MOT check of what's going on.
0:16:37 > 0:16:42The team are frightened Alastair may have even more serious injuries,
0:16:42 > 0:16:46He was thrown from his bike and could easily have damaged his back or spine.
0:16:46 > 0:16:52- He'll be strapped down to prevent him hurting them further. - The pain is still eight, Alison.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55I initially got on the scene to him. As I approached him,
0:16:55 > 0:16:57the eyes looking up from in the helmet
0:16:57 > 0:17:00said, "Hello, James," which was quite surreal.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02It's Alastair. He's a good friend - family friend.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04He's also a local firefighter.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07He works for Fire and Rescue at Mansfield Road in Sheffield.
0:17:07 > 0:17:12We've worked a few road traffic accidents together in the past.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16It's a little bit disconcerting initially when you find out it's someone you're quite close to.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20You don't expect that. It kind of takes you by surprise.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24I've quickly assessed his injuries, stabilised him, saw the seriousness of it,
0:17:24 > 0:17:29and asked for these guys to fly in because he needs to be in a trauma centre soon.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31He's perfect for Northern General, where we are.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Finally, Alastair's ready for his flight to hospital.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38He's heading straight for intensive care, but these will be anxious hours
0:17:38 > 0:17:42for his family and the friend who may just have saved his life.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46It's happened a few times, but never so traumatic.
0:17:46 > 0:17:52General illness before, but never such a trauma-related incident as this one's been.
0:18:05 > 0:18:12Remember Claire, the cyclist who suffered a nasty facial injury when she came off her mountain bike?
0:18:12 > 0:18:16Well, thanks to flying doctor Andy, she may come out of it smiling,
0:18:16 > 0:18:19despite knocking out two of her teeth.
0:18:19 > 0:18:20Ready, steady and lift!
0:18:20 > 0:18:23Just wheel round so we're first.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27Claire's about to begin the journey to Sheffield's Northern General Hospital
0:18:27 > 0:18:30by hitching a lift in a park ranger's Land Rover.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34It's a tight squeeze, but carrying her nearly half a mile
0:18:34 > 0:18:38to Helimed 99 on foot would mean wasting valuable time.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42It's a hot day and the lift back is very much appreciated.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46Are you feeling OK, Claire?
0:18:46 > 0:18:50Yeah.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53- Quite a distance, isn't it? Did you jog all the way?- Most of it.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56We had a policeman turn up saying, "I've come to collect the doctor."
0:18:56 > 0:18:59From the road, it's only a short distance to the helicopter.
0:18:59 > 0:19:04With Claire's teeth re-inserted, there's still the possibility they will re-root.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07It's the best way of kind of salvaging them. It may be that
0:19:07 > 0:19:09they've been damaged
0:19:09 > 0:19:11and they're not going to take,
0:19:11 > 0:19:12but if you can get them back in
0:19:12 > 0:19:14quickly, that gives them
0:19:14 > 0:19:15the best chance possible.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18A couple of deeps breath in again for me...and out.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21Five minutes before we lift, Chris.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27The flight to hospital will take just under ten minutes.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31Helimed 99 will avoid the busy country roads and weekend traffic.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34Although Claire had her teeth knocked out
0:19:34 > 0:19:37and was very badly bruised, doctors at hospital discovered
0:19:37 > 0:19:41she had not broken any bones or damaged her spine.
0:19:41 > 0:19:47Back at home, just five days after the accident, her injuries look much worse than they actually are.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51But she still doesn't know if her two front teeth had survived.
0:19:51 > 0:19:57Dr Andy Pountney put them back in the root cavity very soon after the accident.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00He sort of said, "Right, I'm going to put your teeth back in,
0:20:00 > 0:20:03"because there's more chance of them surviving now
0:20:03 > 0:20:06"if they go straight back in." I remember him washing them with saline
0:20:06 > 0:20:09and then he said, "Right, this is going to hurt."
0:20:09 > 0:20:11And then he put them in.
0:20:11 > 0:20:16It were like somebody putting needles right up into the top of your nose, into your head.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20You felt like they were going to explode out of your head. It was awful pain.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23I've never had anything like it.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27Claire's teeth are now being kept in position by a clear, plastic guard.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31There's no guarantee they'll stay in place once the guard is removed.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34It's everything - the facial bit,
0:20:34 > 0:20:36I'm not bothered because I know I'll heal,
0:20:36 > 0:20:38but the teeth are the most important.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41It's the first thing you see when you see somebody.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43To me, it were devastating.
0:20:43 > 0:20:49When I was laid there in the middle of the road, my teeth were going through my mind.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53I know it sounds daft, because I've got injuries everywhere,
0:20:53 > 0:20:56but, to me, it were just my teeth.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00Today is the moment of truth for Claire.
0:21:00 > 0:21:06She'll find out if her two front teeth have re-rooted themselves or if they'll fall out.
0:21:06 > 0:21:12Carefully, the maxillofacial surgeon removes the plastic guard.
0:21:12 > 0:21:18It is in place, I can say that it is in place, and, er...
0:21:18 > 0:21:20slightly mobile.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23So, there's hope that it may take.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25Claire's been lucky.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28Although the teeth are a bit wobbly, they are still attached.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31But for now, the protective guard will go back on.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34It's still a bit mobile.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37Just to give a little bit more protection
0:21:37 > 0:21:39in the next couple of weeks. That's it.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43When Claire came in today, what were her worst fears?
0:21:43 > 0:21:47When he pulled that splint out, that my teeth had come out with it, yeah.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50It sounds daft, but, yeah.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52Just relieved really.
0:22:05 > 0:22:11Helimed 99's taking off on a flight that could be an injured biker's only hope of survival.
0:22:11 > 0:22:16A bizarre motorcycle accident near Rotherham has left a local firefighter, Alastair McCorrick,
0:22:16 > 0:22:18with terrible injuries.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24A trauma team is waiting at Sheffield Northern General Hospital to operate on Alastair.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26His pelvis is shattered.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30He has a serious stomach wound and his lungs are in danger of collapsing,
0:22:30 > 0:22:32as blood leaks into his chest.
0:22:33 > 0:22:38During the night, doctors tell his family he may not survive.
0:22:38 > 0:22:43But they finally manage to stem the bleeding by removing his spleen.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46- What does the sheep say?- Baa!- Baa!
0:22:46 > 0:22:50- Baa!- Baa!- Baa!
0:22:50 > 0:22:56Ten days later, Alastair's wife, Michelle, is doing her best to keep baby Sam happy without Daddy.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59Her husband is still in intensive care.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03They drained three-and-a-half litres of blood from his chest.
0:23:03 > 0:23:08I think he had about 20 units of blood
0:23:08 > 0:23:10through a transfusion,
0:23:10 > 0:23:13which is a massive amount.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15It's still not clear how the accident happened.
0:23:15 > 0:23:20Alastair came off his bike and it carried on without him, finally crashing into undergrowth.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23The first paramedic on the scene was a friend.
0:23:27 > 0:23:32The accident has shocked the firefighters where Alastair works.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35They're used to putting their feelings aside to help victims
0:23:35 > 0:23:38of road accidents, but this is different.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42That's why they're determined Alastair's going to come home to a garden makeover.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47Alastair started redoing his back garden
0:23:47 > 0:23:51just before his accident, and as far as he got was ripping things up.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53Nothing was taken away and nothing put down.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59The garden makeover is a welcome distraction for Michelle.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02She knows her husband has a long and painful recovery ahead of him.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08It's a month before Alastair's out of intensive care.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12He's spent most of it unconscious, thanks to his extensive catalogue of injuries.
0:24:12 > 0:24:13The top of my arm
0:24:13 > 0:24:16was broken in two or three places.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20The bottom of my arm was broken cleanly across once.
0:24:20 > 0:24:25Most of my ribs on the left side have been fractured in two or three places, I believe.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29My pelvis is broken in two, three, maybe four places.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34Ruptured my spleen. That's now been removed.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38I believe my left lung collapsed.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41What else did I break?
0:24:41 > 0:24:43I think that's about it.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47Five weeks after the accident,
0:24:47 > 0:24:51paramedic James Davies is visiting the mate whose life he helped save.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54I just asked him to tell me his details.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57He said to me, "It's me, you idiot."
0:24:57 > 0:25:01Words to that effect, which completely threw me. I realised,
0:25:01 > 0:25:03once I'd said, "What's your name?"
0:25:03 > 0:25:05and he said, "It's Alastair McCorrick."
0:25:05 > 0:25:09It was bizarre. It was the most surreal...
0:25:09 > 0:25:10sensation ever.
0:25:12 > 0:25:19I knew from his breathing patterns, his respiratory rate, his colour that he was seriously injured.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23I could tell. I knew, within a few minutes of having assessed him,
0:25:23 > 0:25:25what we were dealing with. I knew it was life threatening.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29All those thoughts raced through my mind.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32Being a new father, being a young guy,
0:25:32 > 0:25:34and knowing that it was critical.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36He may never go home.
0:25:36 > 0:25:42Suddenly, I'm facing having to keep him from going over the edge.
0:25:42 > 0:25:49For the first time since the accident, Alastair's about to come face-to-face with his life saver.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52- It's good to see you, mate.- Oh, thank you.- It's really good to see you.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54My hero, Jamesie!
0:25:54 > 0:25:57- Come to see his old pal. - I can't believe it.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59I feel great, mate. I feel good.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01- Do you?- Yeah. Have you been away?
0:26:01 > 0:26:03- Yeah.- Where have you been?- France.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05Recovering after you.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09- Sorry, mate. - Mate, it was unbelievable.
0:26:09 > 0:26:10Can you remember anything about it?
0:26:10 > 0:26:12The first thing I can remember is seeing you.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16Then I can remember being in an air ambulance, but I think it was still on the ground.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18And I can't remember anything after that.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21Are they going to operate on your pelvis, or is that going to do the job?
0:26:21 > 0:26:23They're hoping this will do the job.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27It will be a few more weeks before the two mates can go for a beer together
0:26:27 > 0:26:29and Alastair can say thank you as he'd like.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33It's fantastic to see James again.
0:26:33 > 0:26:38I always intended, as soon as I got out, to go and see him anyway and give him a big kiss and cuddle.
0:26:38 > 0:26:39I owe him so much.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43He really did save my life. He was the first point of contact.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45He got it all right.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48It really was nice to see James again today.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50One thing's for sure -
0:26:50 > 0:26:53Alastair's biking days are behind him.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55I'll never have a motorbike ever again.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59And as far as I can help it, my son will never own one.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02As soon as he's old enough, I will explain to him, in great
0:27:02 > 0:27:08detail if I have to, exactly what happened to me and how close I came to not being his dad any more.
0:27:09 > 0:27:14Both mates do jobs where showing your emotions isn't always helpful,
0:27:14 > 0:27:17but James has a secret he hasn't told his friend.
0:27:17 > 0:27:22I remember sitting on the bumper, just staring down at his clothes.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26Obviously, there was blood on the road, the bike...
0:27:26 > 0:27:31and I just went. I just went. I was sobbing for a good five minutes.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd