0:00:02 > 0:00:08If you're seriously ill or critically injured, every second counts.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12Especially if you're up high or off the beaten track.
0:00:12 > 0:00:19Thanks to these guys, the people of the UK's biggest county are never more than 10 minutes from hospital.
0:00:19 > 0:00:23The Yorkshire Air Ambulance can do 150 miles an hour
0:00:23 > 0:00:27and every day brings a new life or death emergency.
0:00:46 > 0:00:53Five million people depend on these yellow helicopters to bring life-saving care from the skies.
0:00:53 > 0:00:59When a multiple pile-up closes Britain's highest motorway, or there's a shop-floor accident,
0:00:59 > 0:01:05the paramedics and pilots of the helimed team are there to rescue the casualties.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Today on Helicopter Heroes:
0:01:08 > 0:01:14- a 12-year-old boy fights for his life after his mum's car hits a bus. - He's been unconscious all the time.
0:01:14 > 0:01:20- A farmer's badly injured after an explosion in a barn. - 300-metre blast radius.
0:01:20 > 0:01:25One of the UK's toughest sports claims a casualty.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28Did you hurt anywhere else?
0:01:28 > 0:01:33And there's a mercy mission in the snow to save a sick little girl.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36She's got severe epilepsy.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48Driving kids is something that worries many parents.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51It's not just the distraction they can cause,
0:01:51 > 0:01:56but the responsibility of having them strapped in next to you.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00So imagine what it's like when a mum has a serious accident.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04It's the tail end of the Friday morning rush hour.
0:02:04 > 0:02:10One of the main roads into Leeds is blocked by the wreckage of a serious accident.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14We're having to cut the car away for clear access to the casualty.
0:02:14 > 0:02:20The crash is less than five miles from Helimed 99's base at Leeds Bradford Airport.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25Paramedics Darren Axe and Ben Anderson are among the first there.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28- A double decker bus? - Next to the rugby field.
0:02:28 > 0:02:33A rugby pitch right next to the road is an ideal helipad.
0:02:33 > 0:02:39- We're about to go down. - But the route to the accident is very far from ideal.
0:02:39 > 0:02:45Darren faces a battle with a prickly hawthorn hedge to reach his patient.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49Hang on a second. Trying to find somewhere to grip.
0:02:51 > 0:02:57A 12-year-old boy has been badly hurt after his mother's hatchback collided with a bus. She's unhurt,
0:02:57 > 0:02:59but he has multiple injuries.
0:02:59 > 0:03:05- Were you with him? - No, I was in the car behind. - Right. Smashing.
0:03:05 > 0:03:10Luckily, the crash was witnessed by a doctor.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13He's been unconscious. His breathing's gone off.
0:03:13 > 0:03:18Get some details off his mum. How old he is, any conditions.
0:03:18 > 0:03:24Aris Hussain was being driven to the mosque for Friday prayers. Now he's fighting for his life.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28It's a bad one. 12-year-old, not spoken since the collision.
0:03:28 > 0:03:34Start getting ready. We'll almost certainly be taking this patient in.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38His mother is being checked out in an ambulance. She's hysterical,
0:03:38 > 0:03:42but she can give Ben valuable details of his medical history.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44How old is he?
0:03:44 > 0:03:47How old?
0:03:47 > 0:03:50- He's 12 years old. - 20?- 12.- 12.
0:03:50 > 0:03:57The damage to the bus shows the force of the first impact, but they then hit another car head-on.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00I was behind the car in the accident
0:04:00 > 0:04:05and I thought, "Are you going to pull out?" No, straight into the bus.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09She spun across the road and caught the other lady.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13Darren knows Aris's condition is critical.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16We could spin him and slide him this way.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19Officer, the faster the better, mate.
0:04:19 > 0:04:26He's not doing so well, so the faster we can move, the better. Expedite.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30Cutting apart a car with four people in it poses obvious hazards.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34Darren wants to make sure no one else gets hurt.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38- Mate, stick your helmet on this doctor.- Thank you.
0:04:40 > 0:04:46The police now need to start gathering the information for their accident investigation.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50First, though, they need to know how seriously Aris is hurt.
0:04:50 > 0:04:55- Not looking well?- No. - Still potential? Not dead?- No.
0:04:55 > 0:05:01As soon as he's out, put him on the spinal board and then we'll relocate the aircraft down there.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05- So you want that cut out? - Yes, please. That's lovely.
0:05:05 > 0:05:11By air, Aris is less than five minutes from the Trauma Unit at Leeds General Infirmary,
0:05:11 > 0:05:15but there's a problem. They need Helimed 99 to get closer.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19We're asking the Fire Brigade
0:05:19 > 0:05:23to get him out of the car. He's 12 and still unconscious.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28We need the helicopter relocated onto the road.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32Pilot Steve can only land on roads that have been closed by police.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35It's usually straightforward.
0:05:36 > 0:05:43But today, parked vehicles, lampposts, hedges and trees are getting in his way.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47- I don't think he's happy with the landing site.- It's impossible
0:05:47 > 0:05:49and he has to abandon it.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53I couldn't see enough to get in.
0:05:53 > 0:05:59We tried to relocate the aircraft, but we can't, so can we make some gaps in these fences?
0:05:59 > 0:06:07I couldn't see the road for the trees, so I cam back to where we were and we'll get him across.
0:06:07 > 0:06:14Aris is still trapped and the race to get him to hospital has just suffered a serious setback.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16He doesn't have much time.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25Coming up: Aris takes a turn for the worse.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29- This chest looks like it's swelling. - He's in a bad way.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33Paramedic Sammy finds a patient camped out in his own tent.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37You've not banged your head at all? Or passed out?
0:06:37 > 0:06:43And a snowbound patient with a suspected stroke gets help from the skies.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59Farming's one of the UK's most dangerous occupations.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03But sometimes the most serious accidents have unusual causes.
0:07:03 > 0:07:09In North Yorkshire, a farmer's decision to clear out his outbuildings had awful consequences.
0:07:09 > 0:07:14For Yorkshire's farmers, self-sufficiency is a way of life.
0:07:14 > 0:07:21From fixing fences to tractor repairs, make do and mend keeps them in business,
0:07:21 > 0:07:26but today Helimed 99 is on its way to a major explosion involving welding gear.
0:07:26 > 0:07:32Shattered windows, bent metalwork and blackened walls are evidence of a blast
0:07:32 > 0:07:35that threw debris 300 metres.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39It's a miracle farmer Richard Franklin survived.
0:07:40 > 0:07:46Richard's sister was in the farmhouse when an acetylene cylinder exploded.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50I just heard this almighty great big explosion
0:07:50 > 0:07:55and I presume the cylinder had blown up, the oxygen cylinder or something.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01Now Richard's fighting for his life. His blackened face is worrying.
0:08:01 > 0:08:07It means his windpipe is burnt and both of his legs are all but severed.
0:08:07 > 0:08:12He has got isolated leg injuries, but they're not our primary concern.
0:08:12 > 0:08:18Richard's injuries were caused by a shockwave that has devastated buildings in the farmyard.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20It was heard three miles away.
0:08:20 > 0:08:26We're trying to work out what happened. Obviously, one of the cylinders was involved.
0:08:26 > 0:08:32We think it's the acetylene and he's been changing cylinders, but we can't say for sure
0:08:32 > 0:08:35until we actually find it.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39There's been a bit found down the road. 300 metres blast radius.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43Richard's mum is in shock. Firefighters have their own worries.
0:08:43 > 0:08:50They're trying to confirm that the explosion hasn't caused other cylinders to spring a leak.
0:08:50 > 0:08:56That oxygen cylinder was venting off, and if you've got oxygen and acetylene mixed together
0:08:56 > 0:09:01and the acetylene one's gone bad and that's what it is...
0:09:01 > 0:09:05At least the blast wasn't followed by a fire.
0:09:05 > 0:09:12There was no fire to be dealt with so the main priority is obviously the casualty anyway.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14That's basically all we've done.
0:09:14 > 0:09:21For paramedics Tony and James, the number one priority is keeping Richard's airway open
0:09:21 > 0:09:25despite the burns, but this is also a race against the setting sun.
0:09:25 > 0:09:32If they're to fly him to hospital, they must take off soon or be grounded by fading light.
0:09:32 > 0:09:37We cannot fly at all at night, which is fairly reasonable,
0:09:37 > 0:09:42but there's enough daylight left to achieve the task.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46At last, Richard's ready for take-off.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51We're about to lift for Harrogate. Vital signs within normal limits.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54We'll need an airway set up. Over.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56Clear now.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59You're clear left.
0:10:00 > 0:10:01OK.
0:10:01 > 0:10:06- Vital signs within normal limits? - Yeah, within normal limits, mate.
0:10:06 > 0:10:12We're just lifting at Ripon and moving south to Harrogate.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16He's not been knocked unconscious, which is a good sign,
0:10:16 > 0:10:21but he has got fractures to both legs causing him quite severe pain,
0:10:21 > 0:10:26so I'm giving the maximum dose of morphine. There's also potential
0:10:26 > 0:10:32that the airway will start swelling up. We're going to Harrogate, the nearest hospital.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36If he starts having airway problems, we're quite close to the hospital.
0:10:36 > 0:10:43Other than his pain, he's quite settled. His main problem is fractures to both his legs.
0:10:43 > 0:10:49A surgical team is on standby to examine Richard's shattered legs.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53Tony and James are more concerned about burns to his throat and lungs,
0:10:53 > 0:11:00but if he survives them, his broken bones are likely to prove a more serious long-term problem.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02He could yet lose both legs.
0:11:09 > 0:11:16Coming up: surgeons turn to transplant techniques to help farmer Richard walk again.
0:11:16 > 0:11:21And there's a tricky operation to get a 12-year-old accident victim to the chopper.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24Right, lads. Steady as you go.
0:11:25 > 0:11:30And high in the hills, Mountain Rescue are called in to help take a sick man to hospital.
0:11:43 > 0:11:48In some urban areas, the call centre staff who answer 999 calls
0:11:48 > 0:11:54can actually hear the ambulance arrive at their patient before the caller has put the phone down,
0:11:54 > 0:11:58but in the countryside it can be very different.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02On a glorious spring evening in the Derbyshire Peaks,
0:12:02 > 0:12:06it's easy to see why people are drawn to fell running.
0:12:06 > 0:12:11It might be hard work, but you run through some gorgeous landscapes.
0:12:11 > 0:12:17But when temperatures drop, that landscape can become life-threatening.
0:12:17 > 0:12:24The worst winter for three decades is almost over and the year's first fell-running event is underway.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26But someone's in trouble.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30'We've got a fell runner with a torn hamstring.
0:12:30 > 0:12:35- 'They'll have problems getting him down.'- All right.- 'OK.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39- 'I'll give you the details en route.' - Okey-dokey.
0:12:39 > 0:12:46There's no snow on the ground at the base in Sheffield, but it's different in the Peaks.
0:12:46 > 0:12:52- We're now airborne. Over. - With the weather conditions that we've had recently.
0:12:52 > 0:12:57Fell runners have not been able to get out and do their thing
0:12:57 > 0:13:04so a beautiful day like today, the snow's cleared, although there are still drifts up here.
0:13:04 > 0:13:09It's been a fantastic day for getting out and doing a bit of running
0:13:09 > 0:13:13and fantastic scenery while you're doing it.
0:13:13 > 0:13:19The downside is if you injure yourself, you're a long way from help as this guy has found out.
0:13:19 > 0:13:24- We've got a paraglider here. - I'll keep a scan out.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27Yeah, there it is.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31Mountain Rescue are already on the scene and have let off a flare.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34INDISTINCT RADIO CHAT
0:13:40 > 0:13:47The biggest danger for a runner immobilised by an injury is contracting hypothermia.
0:13:47 > 0:13:53- As soon as Mountain Rescue arrived, they put up a tent to keep their patient warm.- Knock knock!
0:13:55 > 0:13:57- Permission to come in?- Hi!- Hiya.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01- Hello, sir.- This is Neville. - Hello, Neville.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05Fell runner. Slipped on some ice.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09Injury feels like it's the back of his right thigh.
0:14:09 > 0:14:16- Right.- Like a hamstring-y type of area.- OK.- He's in no pain but whenever he moves...- Right.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20- He's been a bit hypothermic. - How long ago did all this happen?
0:14:20 > 0:14:25- About an hour and a quarter. - About one o'clock, yeah.- OK, then.
0:14:25 > 0:14:31- Neville?- Yes?- When you fell, did you fall and hurt yourself anywhere else?- No.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33And you've not passed out? Great.
0:14:33 > 0:14:39It was like a comedy slip. I seemed to go up in the air and landed...
0:14:39 > 0:14:42as far as I know, on my bum.
0:14:42 > 0:14:47Apparently, he walked up towards here and couldn't go any further.
0:14:47 > 0:14:52These runners were well prepared for the difficult conditions.
0:14:52 > 0:14:57They carried special heat-retaining blankets and emergency rations.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01Mountain bikers offered assistance. It's been really good.
0:15:01 > 0:15:06This machine tells me how cold you are. I'll stick that in your ear.
0:15:06 > 0:15:12- I know it's your leg that we're bothered about, but... - You can take that off if you want.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16I'll just ease it. I'll put it back on in a sec.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22OK, you'll feel this cold in your ear, lad.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27Neville is 63 years old, but that's not unusual for a fell runner.
0:15:27 > 0:15:32Some people carry on into their 70s and even their 80s.
0:15:32 > 0:15:37Right, Neville, welcome aboard. We're going to plug you in.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41- Right.- Anything I can do to make you more comfortable?- No, I'm fine.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44- And extremely grateful. - You're welcome.
0:15:44 > 0:15:51After spending two hours stranded in the open, Neville is finally on his way to hospital.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55It turns out that the helicopter was essential.
0:15:55 > 0:16:01What was initially thought to be a simple hamstring strain is actually much more serious.
0:16:03 > 0:16:09Doctors at the Northern General Hospital diagnosed a rare bone condition that could have
0:16:09 > 0:16:14gone undiscovered for years until it ended Neville's running for good.
0:16:16 > 0:16:22Before the last snow has thawed on the Peaks, Neville is back on his feet, his injury's on the mend
0:16:22 > 0:16:29and he's undergoing treatment for his newly-discovered problem which causes unwanted bone growth.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32I saw a consultant who diagnosed
0:16:32 > 0:16:36that I had Paget's Disease. I wasn't aware of this.
0:16:36 > 0:16:41It's a disease which can happen in certain bones of the body
0:16:41 > 0:16:44and on the X-ray it had shown up.
0:16:44 > 0:16:51Neville was already fighting fit, but has now been prescribed more exercise to strengthen the bones
0:16:51 > 0:16:56around his pelvis, one of which fractured in his fall.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00I was pleased it has been discovered now rather than later.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04I understand it isn't going to be a major problem in my life.
0:17:04 > 0:17:10I'm not running as yet, but eventually I hope that I will be able to.
0:17:11 > 0:17:16It's a little bit of adventure and also risk as well.
0:17:16 > 0:17:23Pitted against nature, you have to get from A to B, from B to C and from C to D.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25It's fairly straightforward.
0:17:25 > 0:17:33Neville's fell running mates are missing him, but it'll be a few months until he joins them again.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37Until then, he's restricted to more gentle exercise.
0:17:43 > 0:17:49Coming up: farmer Richard undergoes surgery for his injuries, but he knows it could have been much worse.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51Any higher up, I'd be dead.
0:17:51 > 0:17:58And the ambulance service draft in a snow plough to rescue a little girl.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03Now let's get back to the scene of that rush-hour crash.
0:18:03 > 0:18:08Firefighters are still struggling to free a young passenger from the wreckage.
0:18:08 > 0:18:13On a main road into Leeds, there's been a serious accident
0:18:13 > 0:18:18and the Helimed team fight to save the life of a trapped 12-year-old boy.
0:18:18 > 0:18:24Aris Hussain was critically injured when his mum's hatchback hit a bus and another car.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28For 20 minutes, a passing doctor had been cradling Aris's head,
0:18:28 > 0:18:32- but now it's time to move him. - What are we like down there now?
0:18:32 > 0:18:36We're just starting to get him out now. He's freed.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39It'll be quite a long time yet.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43The accident could have been much worse.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46The bus was unoccupied for passengers. Driver's OK.
0:18:46 > 0:18:52They're about to move Aris. His chest has been crushed, and he has multiple injuries
0:18:52 > 0:18:56- to his legs and arms. - Got any suction?
0:18:56 > 0:19:02- He's breathing. The mask's off his face.- He's still making effort.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06What's the oxygen like down there? Is it full or empty?
0:19:06 > 0:19:08Can you grab us another one?
0:19:08 > 0:19:13Darren wants to alert the crash team at Leeds General Infirmary.
0:19:13 > 0:19:18A 12-year-old male. That's all I've got. Pre-alert for LGI.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20Can you take his shoulders?
0:19:20 > 0:19:23At last they begin to free Aris.
0:19:23 > 0:19:28His right leg is not going to go. On "move", nice and gently. Move.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- It's going.- Whoa! Take his weight. I've got his head.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36Ready, steady and move. Somebody take his head.
0:19:36 > 0:19:42The reason for Aris's injuries becomes clearer. The car's air bags went off when it hit the bus.
0:19:42 > 0:19:49There was no protection for its passenger when the second impact occurred with the car.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Let's get suction back in if we can.
0:19:55 > 0:20:01- We need a call back on him now. - I reckon ETA would be about 20 minutes from this point.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03But don't pass that just yet, fella.
0:20:03 > 0:20:08Looking well. We can be a bit more positive.
0:20:08 > 0:20:14They've done all they can do here and Aris has had the best care possible -
0:20:14 > 0:20:20a doctor by his side within seconds and a team of paramedics within minutes.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22The race is now on to hospital.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24Let's go!
0:20:24 > 0:20:28Everything's fastened up, oxygen's on.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32Ben, what were that access? Is it just there?
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Yeah? Lead the way then, mate.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37LGI is waiting for us.
0:20:37 > 0:20:42'Base to 99. I'll give an ETA of 10 minutes.'
0:20:42 > 0:20:44Yeah, roger.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48You get this side, mate.
0:20:49 > 0:20:54this is a delicate operation, but the team have no alternative
0:20:54 > 0:20:58but to pass their patient hand to hand.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00Right, lads. Steady as you go.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05All right? Forward.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07Happy, gentlemen?
0:21:07 > 0:21:10- Yeah.- Start making your way.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13He's in a bad way, really.
0:21:16 > 0:21:21- Need to get him there as quick as we can.- But Aris is deteriorating.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24His chest's not even and bilateral.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26This chest looks like it's swelling.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29It's not just the strap doing it.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33- Ready for take-off now. - Pilot Steve is ready to go.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36He's a very time-critical patient. He's only 12.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39The faster we're out of here to LGI, the better.
0:21:39 > 0:21:44Aris is now within minutes of a highly trained team of doctors,
0:21:44 > 0:21:47but his life is hanging in the balance.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55Coming up, the team touch down at hospital
0:21:55 > 0:21:59and doctors begin the fight to save Aris.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02Unconscious throughout. GCS initially 5, down to 3.
0:22:02 > 0:22:07And paramedic Colin has to deal with a reluctant patient.
0:22:07 > 0:22:13Your missus is telling us symptoms and signs that we need checking really.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29The first hour after a traumatic injury is critical.
0:22:29 > 0:22:34That's especially true if you've just survived a devastating explosion,
0:22:34 > 0:22:40so no wonder at Harrogate Hospital, doctors are anxiously awaiting the arrival of a badly injured farmer.
0:22:40 > 0:22:45In a farmyard near Ripon, there's been a massive explosion.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49It's a miracle farmer Richard Frankland has survived.
0:22:49 > 0:22:55He was working with an acetylene cylinder used for welding when it exploded.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57Debris was thrown 300 metres.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59One of the cylinders involved...
0:22:59 > 0:23:05We think he's been changing the cylinders over and it's gone bang, but we can't say for sure.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08Richard's critically injured.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Just lifting near Ripon, routine flight to Harrogate.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18But at least he's survived the journey to Harrogate Hospital.
0:23:21 > 0:23:26His windpipe is burned and both his legs are badly injured.
0:23:27 > 0:23:33The decisions surgeons make over the next two hours will decide whether Richard walks again.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36Keep it running till then.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40His injuries are so serious, they make the decision
0:23:40 > 0:23:44to transfer him to a specialist unit in nearby Leeds.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50It's six weeks before he is fit enough to talk about the accident.
0:23:51 > 0:23:56Richard still has clear memories of the afternoon he almost died.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59It was an horrendous blast.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03I mean, it was heard for miles around.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07I do remember a bit about the rescue because I knew a lot of the lads
0:24:07 > 0:24:11from Masham Fire Brigade that were the first on the scene.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14I was in absolute agony, as you can imagine,
0:24:14 > 0:24:18and I remember being put in the helicopter
0:24:18 > 0:24:21because I've never flown in my life before
0:24:21 > 0:24:26and I didn't know how I was going to cope with that.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29But he knows it could have been worse.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32It could have been all over with that bang, yeah.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36All the damage was below my knees which is incredible, really.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39Any higher up and I would have been dead.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43The good news is surgeons managed to save one of his legs
0:24:43 > 0:24:48with an amazing piece of spare part surgery.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51They said that I did have a choice with my right leg
0:24:51 > 0:24:57that they could use some of my left leg to reconstruct my right leg.
0:24:57 > 0:25:02But it was going to be over a lot of years to get it right
0:25:02 > 0:25:07and did I want to go through that or did I want both legs amputating?
0:25:07 > 0:25:11Obviously, one leg is better than none,
0:25:11 > 0:25:14so we decided to go for a reconstruction.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21Surgeon Simon Britten and his colleagues have transplanted parts
0:25:21 > 0:25:24of Richard's amputated right leg on to his left.
0:25:24 > 0:25:30Now they're growing new bone to replace a 12-centimetre length lost in the explosion.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33This is the last time I saw Richard about three weeks ago.
0:25:33 > 0:25:40At the moment, you can see that this segment of bone has been transported and a big gap here has opened up.
0:25:40 > 0:25:46You may be able to make out the ghostly outline of a new piece of bone growing in the gap.
0:25:46 > 0:25:51There are sort of white streaks here showing new bone forming in the gap.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55He should be able to carry out some of his duties on the farm
0:25:55 > 0:25:59to his satisfaction, but with such severe injuries,
0:25:59 > 0:26:03we have to set the bar quite low, so we're looking for healed,
0:26:03 > 0:26:07properly aligned, about the same length as the other side,
0:26:07 > 0:26:12not infected and, very important, his foot points in the direction of travel.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15We want his foot to point the direction he's walking.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19It will take two years for the bone to grow back.
0:26:19 > 0:26:25It's a technique developed in Russia and surgeon Simon is among the UK's leading pioneers of it,
0:26:25 > 0:26:28following several trips to Siberia.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32I've subsequently gone back another four times in divided blocks of time
0:26:32 > 0:26:37because there's a limit to how long you can spend in Siberia and have a good time,
0:26:37 > 0:26:43and learnt from the Russian guys, you know, got it from the horse's mouth how to do this technique
0:26:43 > 0:26:49and those of us who have learnt from the Russians now teach the technique in the United Kingdom.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56- Ready to stand up?- Yeah.- OK.
0:26:56 > 0:27:01Coming up, a 12-year-old boy beats the odds after a terrible crash.
0:27:01 > 0:27:06He's getting a bit stronger. He was quite weak when he came out of ICU.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14When there's snow on the ground and the roads are icy,
0:27:14 > 0:27:19the flying paramedics are called out to patients normally carried by land ambulance.
0:27:19 > 0:27:24But however urgent the case, the crew must be certain it's safe for the helicopter to fly.
0:27:24 > 0:27:31It's four days before Christmas and Britain is gripped by Arctic conditions.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35North Yorkshire has been hit particularly hard.
0:27:35 > 0:27:41You've got a foot of snow in places, so it's fairly likely that you can't get an ambulance anywhere near it.
0:27:41 > 0:27:47Helimed 99 has been called to an isolated farmhouse where a young disabled girl has fallen ill.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52'Roger. We do have an RV on the scene.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56'Mobile and radio reception, as you can imagine, is appalling.'
0:27:56 > 0:28:01As the crew fly further north, the weather takes a turn for the worse.
0:28:01 > 0:28:05Yeah. Roger. We're only about three miles away,
0:28:05 > 0:28:10but we've hit a patch of bad weather and we're struggling to break through it. Over.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14The team have to consider their own safety, as well as the patient's.
0:28:14 > 0:28:19From your point of view, Steve, we've got some issues over here with weather.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22Whatever decision we make is a group decision.
0:28:22 > 0:28:27A land ambulance has managed to get to seven-year-old Isobel Potter,
0:28:27 > 0:28:32but will struggle to make the 25-mile journey to Scarborough Hospital
0:28:32 > 0:28:36and it's too dangerous for Helimed 99 to land at the farmhouse.
0:28:36 > 0:28:42There seems to be no way out, but then paramedic Al Day has an idea.
0:28:42 > 0:28:48I'm just wondering, is there any way they could put this kiddie in the RV and come down to where we are?
0:28:48 > 0:28:53- It's going to be the only option, I think.- It is the only option.
0:28:53 > 0:28:57- We're only a few miles away, so... - We're 6.1 away from it.- Right.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02'Helimed 99, I've spoken to the RV on the scene.
0:29:02 > 0:29:09'If you find a suitable landing place in Kirkbymoorside, I can advise them where that will be. Over.'
0:29:09 > 0:29:13An empty car park in the isolated village of Hutton-le-Hole
0:29:13 > 0:29:18becomes an impromptu landing pad for pilot Steve.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22And level.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24Ish.
0:29:24 > 0:29:28- We're down.- Bit lopsided, but we're down.- Ish!
0:29:28 > 0:29:30We're here. Get the kettle on!
0:29:30 > 0:29:34The ambulance is going to bring the child to us here.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37Then we'll fly the kiddie from here
0:29:37 > 0:29:40the 20 or so further miles to Scarborough Hospital.
0:29:40 > 0:29:46A snow plough was in the right place at the right time to clear the way for the ambulance.
0:29:46 > 0:29:52The local ground ambulance crews are becoming experts in winter driving, and with a snow plough to follow,
0:29:52 > 0:29:55they've managed to get Isobel through the drifts.
0:29:55 > 0:29:59Hutton-le-Hole is a beauty spot packed with tourists in the summer.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02Today, it's all but cut off.
0:30:02 > 0:30:08We flew down in circles and tried all different avenues and this is the best we could do.
0:30:08 > 0:30:14Hutton-le-Hole is the nearest we could get, but thankfully, this land ambulance got here as well.
0:30:14 > 0:30:18Now we're transferring her to the helicopter.
0:30:18 > 0:30:23Isobel's mum is used to dealing with her daughter's severe medical problems.
0:30:23 > 0:30:29But weather like this has left her to cope alone in the family's isolated home.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31There you go. That's lovely.
0:30:31 > 0:30:35She's got severe development delay and severe epilepsy.
0:30:35 > 0:30:40Her sister's had a nasty cold and, unfortunately, Isobel's picked it up.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43She had a number of seizures on Friday night.
0:30:43 > 0:30:49We were going to take her into hospital today, but the weather isn't great and she deteriorated.
0:30:49 > 0:30:53We just felt it wasn't safe taking her ourselves.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56Isobel's condition is potentially very serious.
0:30:56 > 0:31:02The team knows she needs hospital care and thanks to the tenacity of the local ambulance crews,
0:31:02 > 0:31:05she is soon going to get it.
0:31:05 > 0:31:10With the North York Moors blanketed by snow and more storms on the way,
0:31:10 > 0:31:16Isobel's flight has come just in time. She'll be in Scarborough Hospital in a few minutes.
0:31:16 > 0:31:22- That's about as snug as we get. - A few days later, after the thaw, Isobel was allowed home.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25The UK air ambulances work together.
0:31:25 > 0:31:30When one's busy, a chopper from a neighbouring area often flies to the rescue.
0:31:30 > 0:31:35But if the roads are blocked with snow, it often means more call-outs than usual.
0:31:35 > 0:31:40That's happened today. Helimed 99 is on its way across the Pennines
0:31:40 > 0:31:44to Lancashire to pick up a patient with a suspected stroke.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47Blackburn? I don't think I've been there yet.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51High in the hills near Clitheroe, a man has collapsed on his farm.
0:31:51 > 0:31:58Drifts are blocking roads and the route to his home is impassable for land ambulances.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01There aren't any ambulance crews available
0:32:01 > 0:32:04at that particular time and at that particular place,
0:32:04 > 0:32:09so the air ambulance is another resource to get them to hospital.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12Time costs lives with stroke patients.
0:32:12 > 0:32:17Each minute treatment is delayed can cause more brain damage.
0:32:17 > 0:32:23It may be a bleed within the brain, so one of the blood vessels might be a bit delicate and it's bled out
0:32:23 > 0:32:25or there could be a clot.
0:32:25 > 0:32:31Brian Oliver was trying to start his car after several days out in the snow
0:32:31 > 0:32:34when he slipped, fell and hurt his head.
0:32:34 > 0:32:41His wife noticed his face was drooping on one side and his arm was numb - classic signs of a stroke.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45- What's been happening now, Brian? - I just slipped down in the yard.
0:32:45 > 0:32:49- You just slipped down, did you? When was that?- About five to ten.
0:32:49 > 0:32:54What time are we on now? Oh, it's only just happened. So you slipped.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57He just fell over in the yard.
0:32:57 > 0:33:01Can you lift them all the way up like that...? Fantastic. Marvellous.
0:33:01 > 0:33:06- I walked up the yard.- He walked back up.- What was he looking like before?
0:33:06 > 0:33:09- Terrible.- In what way?
0:33:09 > 0:33:14It seemed as though his face was so relaxed, it seemed to be down on one side.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18- I was sure that he couldn't grip with his left hand.- Right.
0:33:18 > 0:33:23- And his speech was slurred. - Was it?- He was groaning.- OK. - I slipped.- Listen, Brian...
0:33:23 > 0:33:28Brian's speech sounds slurred, another sign of a stroke.
0:33:28 > 0:33:34Your missus is telling us symptoms and signs that we need checking, really.
0:33:34 > 0:33:40Is that OK with you? At the moment, there isn't an ambulance to send. We're with the helicopter.
0:33:40 > 0:33:47Brian never expected his wife's 999 call to lead to a rescue flight from the other side of the Pennines.
0:33:47 > 0:33:52But for the Helimed team, county boundaries are largely irrelevant.
0:33:52 > 0:33:57- Yeah, we've flown here. - You haven't?- We have, yeah.
0:33:57 > 0:34:01- Oh, you're daft.- I thought you'd say that.- Oh!- I don't know.
0:34:01 > 0:34:06The team aren't sure this is a stroke, but they're not taking any chances.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10- Where are you from? - We're from Leeds and Bradford.
0:34:10 > 0:34:16Brian's on medication for a heart condition that increases the risk of internal bleeding.
0:34:16 > 0:34:21It could be responsible for his collapse. Only hospital doctors will be able to tell.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25We'll do heart tracings, check his blood sugars,
0:34:25 > 0:34:30get a good history from him, check his blood oxygen saturation levels,
0:34:30 > 0:34:33and after all that, we'll decide what's happening with him
0:34:33 > 0:34:37and where he wants to go to get that sorted.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40Brian's going to hospital, but there's a problem.
0:34:40 > 0:34:45'99, can you give me a shout as soon as you know which hospital you're going to?
0:34:45 > 0:34:49'72 from Blackpool is on the pad at Blackburn at this moment. Over.'
0:34:49 > 0:34:54Helping out the neighbours has led to a queue on the helipad at the nearest hospital.
0:34:54 > 0:35:00The Lancashire Air Ambulance will be asked to move quickly to allow Helimed 99 in.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03It is a new pad, but I don't think it's big enough
0:35:03 > 0:35:07to take two helicopters at the same time, so we'll liaise with them
0:35:07 > 0:35:11and make sure they're not there when we arrive.
0:35:11 > 0:35:16- What are the signs like? - Everything seems to be not too bad at the moment.
0:35:16 > 0:35:22- Blood pressure a bit low, but we don't know what it's like normally. - He has vasovagal attacks sometimes.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25Right, OK. Do the police know about that(?)
0:35:27 > 0:35:33- He's not violent with it.- As long as you don't start attacking us with your vasovagal whatever-they-ares!
0:35:33 > 0:35:39- Have you flown before?- Yes. - You have? By helicopter?- Yes. - As a patient?
0:35:39 > 0:35:44- It's not one of them boneshakers?- No. It only shakes a few bones.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48Many of the roads around his home are blocked,
0:35:48 > 0:35:54but Brian's trip to hospital will bypass the problems faced by local motorists. His wife's coming too.
0:35:54 > 0:35:58- Mind your head, love.- Yeah, lovely.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01- 220.- No worries.
0:36:01 > 0:36:07Thanks to an NHS campaign, more and more families are recognising the signs of a stroke.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11If treatment is started early, the chances of recovery are good.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14The early signs are facial weakness,
0:36:14 > 0:36:16some sort of arm problem as well.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20They lose part of the feeling in one side of the arm and the movement.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23And the speech might go as well.
0:36:23 > 0:36:27All these things need to be looked out for quite quickly, really.
0:36:27 > 0:36:33If all relatives acted as promptly as Brian's wife, many more people would survive strokes.
0:36:33 > 0:36:39The crew aren't sure about his diagnosis, but his wife did the right thing calling 999.
0:36:39 > 0:36:45In remote locations like this, the air ambulance teams often work closely with Mountain Rescue.
0:36:45 > 0:36:51And when the ground is covered in snow, it isn't just walkers and climbers that need help.
0:36:52 > 0:36:59The worst winter in 30 years means houses on moorland across the north of England have been cut off.
0:36:59 > 0:37:04The reason we've become involved in this medical emergency
0:37:04 > 0:37:07is the ambulance can't get to the patient's home.
0:37:07 > 0:37:14Mountain Rescue are on the scene and will use some smoke, so we should be able to identify them easier.
0:37:14 > 0:37:19Today, Helimed 98 is flying well out of its patch to a man with suspected pneumonia
0:37:19 > 0:37:22who is stranded at his farmhouse near Oldham.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26- 68-year-old male, breathing difficulties.- Yeah.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30Volunteers from Mountain Rescue are already here,
0:37:30 > 0:37:36closely followed by a BBC news crew who are filming an item about the Arctic conditions.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40In places, it's up to my knee and I'm quite tall.
0:37:40 > 0:37:45At the farmhouse, Mountain Rescue have got everything under control.
0:37:45 > 0:37:51The patient has managed to get down the stairs, but he isn't strong enough to walk through the snow.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55He's been feeling really unwell, bless him, since New Year's Day.
0:37:55 > 0:38:00He's really short of breath. He's got some horrific chest infection.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04He needs to be in hospital, but because of the weather
0:38:04 > 0:38:10and where he lives, we've really struggled to get here, so we're going to fly him into hospital.
0:38:10 > 0:38:16The patient is well wrapped up on the stretcher and there are plenty of willing hands
0:38:16 > 0:38:18to carry him to the helicopter.
0:38:18 > 0:38:22He'll soon be on the way to get the specialist care he needs.
0:38:22 > 0:38:26You'll be pleased to hear all those patients went home after treatment.
0:38:26 > 0:38:32But at Leeds General Infirmary, that seems unlikely for 12-year-old Aris Hussain
0:38:32 > 0:38:35who was badly injured in a rush hour car smash.
0:38:36 > 0:38:40Helimed 99 is racing towards Leeds General Infirmary
0:38:40 > 0:38:44with a critically ill child on board.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46We're approaching LGI - Helimed 99.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49For paramedic Ben, it's been a difficult rescue.
0:38:49 > 0:38:55I'm perhaps not used to dealing with that number of details involving children.
0:38:55 > 0:39:01Medication and drug doses are different and we've got to deal with a parent who's hysterical.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05I'll be back round in a second. I'm trying to just clear his airway.
0:39:05 > 0:39:10Paramedic Darren fears he's losing the fight to save 12-year-old Aris Hussain
0:39:10 > 0:39:14who has suffered multiple injuries in a car crash.
0:39:14 > 0:39:20The Helimed team usually relax once they get their patients on to the roof top helipad
0:39:20 > 0:39:22of Leeds General Infirmary.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26Not today. Their young patient's condition is deteriorating.
0:39:26 > 0:39:30He's taken a turn for the worse, basically.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33We wouldn't always go down with all our kit.
0:39:33 > 0:39:37He needs to be monitored. He could go into cardiac arrest.
0:39:37 > 0:39:41Darren's still having to suction him on the way down into Resus.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45He's in the best place, but his prognosis isn't looking good.
0:39:45 > 0:39:51Aris was a passenger in his mum's hatchback when it collided with a bus and a car
0:39:51 > 0:39:55on the way to Friday prayers at the local mosque in Leeds.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59Darren and Ben are so concerned about his condition,
0:39:59 > 0:40:04they've brought a defibrillator with them in the hospital lift.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06It's in case his heart stops.
0:40:06 > 0:40:11A team of highly trained consultants will fight to save their patient's life,
0:40:11 > 0:40:15but everyone knows his survival is in doubt.
0:40:15 > 0:40:19On lift then, please. Ready, steady, lift.
0:40:19 > 0:40:24We've got a 12-year-old male who's been involved in a road traffic collision.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28Unconscious throughout, GCS initially 5, down to 3.
0:40:28 > 0:40:33For the next six weeks, his family will keep a constant vigil at his bedside.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39Finally, he's well enough to leave intensive care.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42To his dad's enormous relief.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45He's come on in leaps and bounds every week.
0:40:45 > 0:40:50When people come and visit him once a week, they realise how much better he's looking
0:40:50 > 0:40:54and healthier as well, and he's getting a bit stronger.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57But he was quite weak when he came out of ICU.
0:40:57 > 0:41:01- Weren't you, darling? Yeah? - Very weak.- He's a lot better now.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05Ready, steady, stand up. You can hold on.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07OK?
0:41:07 > 0:41:13- Stand there. I'll get the chair for you to sit down.- I don't want to sit down.- You want to keep walking?
0:41:13 > 0:41:19Aris is now undergoing daily physiotherapy. He can't walk yet, but his power of speech is returning
0:41:19 > 0:41:22and his physiotherapist is delighted.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26When Aris first came to the ward, he wasn't able to do very much.
0:41:26 > 0:41:33His level of consciousness was low, so we've worked towards him having independence in sitting and balance.
0:41:33 > 0:41:38The next stage is working him standing, which is quite difficult at the minute,
0:41:38 > 0:41:43but I'm sure he'll make progress and start walking again soon.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45Catch it once, then I catch it once.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48Aris's mum can't remember the smash.
0:41:48 > 0:41:53His father was spending Eid with relatives in Pakistan when the accident happened
0:41:53 > 0:41:57and flew home the next day. He's very grateful to his son's rescuers.
0:41:57 > 0:42:04It's such a relief to have that service and the facility for people who need it. It's unbelievable.
0:42:04 > 0:42:09People don't appreciate it until they actually have to use it for their own family.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12It's such a good charity.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15When Helicopter Heroes comes back,
0:42:15 > 0:42:19the team battle to save a farm worker's badly injured leg.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22Just take some nice, deep breaths. Don't worry.
0:42:22 > 0:42:28Paramedic Sammy is in a tight spot with a patient who's rolled his hatchback.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32Which wrist is it that's hurting most? This one?
0:42:32 > 0:42:35An adventurous teenager tumbles out of a tree.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39- I haven't broken my back? - Nothing to say that, no.
0:42:39 > 0:42:44And there is a major rescue operation to save a tombstoner who has plunged from a waterfall.
0:42:52 > 0:42:56Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd 2010
0:42:56 > 0:42:59Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk