Episode 11

Download Subtitles

Transcript

0:00:02 > 0:00:06If you're seriously ill or critically injured up here,

0:00:06 > 0:00:08your life is in real danger.

0:00:10 > 0:00:14- Complaining of severe pain.- Mid-30s, been ejected from a vehicle.

0:00:14 > 0:00:16Hospital's an hour away by road

0:00:16 > 0:00:19and speed is the only thing that can save you.

0:00:19 > 0:00:22Helimed 99 is en route to you. Over.

0:00:22 > 0:00:27The Yorkshire Air Ambulance and its highly trained paramedics are scrambled 1,000 times a year.

0:00:27 > 0:00:31- 'Tell me what's happened.' - 'A small child has been run over.'

0:00:31 > 0:00:35Many of its ex-military pilots flew the SAS into action.

0:00:35 > 0:00:39That's not a suitable landing site. This one here is.

0:00:39 > 0:00:43Welcome to the life and death world of the Helicopter Heroes.

0:01:04 > 0:01:06Today on Helicopter Heroes:

0:01:06 > 0:01:09a little girl is crushed by a lorry.

0:01:09 > 0:01:12She tried to stand, but fell down.

0:01:12 > 0:01:14I love you. Mummy's here. You're such a brave girl!

0:01:14 > 0:01:17The birdmen of the Pennines take to the air.

0:01:17 > 0:01:21But one's just fallen 40 feet.

0:01:21 > 0:01:22Was it on your spine?

0:01:22 > 0:01:25The team is called to a bizarre riding accident

0:01:25 > 0:01:27with three patients.

0:01:27 > 0:01:30- One lost their balance. One spooked.- Three came off.

0:01:30 > 0:01:33And the weather catches out a motorist.

0:01:33 > 0:01:37These things are not designed to be comfortable.

0:01:37 > 0:01:39We braked, then next thing, "Boof!"

0:01:46 > 0:01:48Everything about a modern cityscape

0:01:48 > 0:01:51presents a lethal challenge for an air ambulance pilot.

0:01:51 > 0:01:54Street lights, chimneys, wires,

0:01:54 > 0:01:56all can bring down a helicopter.

0:01:56 > 0:01:59But sometimes a case is so serious

0:01:59 > 0:02:02that the Helimed team are forced to land in the heart of the town

0:02:02 > 0:02:04despite the risks.

0:02:06 > 0:02:09'What is the address of the emergency?'

0:02:09 > 0:02:12'Smith Street, Halifax. A child's been run over by a wagon.'

0:02:12 > 0:02:16The west Yorkshire town of Halifax is built into the Pennine Hills.

0:02:16 > 0:02:19Every bit of space is taken.

0:02:19 > 0:02:22'A small child has been on the path. A wagon's run over her.'

0:02:22 > 0:02:25- 'By a wagon?' - 'Yes, very badly, love.'

0:02:25 > 0:02:29But today, Helimed pilot Matt Tacken must find somewhere to land.

0:02:29 > 0:02:31A little girl's life depends on it.

0:02:31 > 0:02:34- 'How old is the child?'- 'About two.'

0:02:34 > 0:02:39- 'Is she awake?'- She's screaming. She's got crushed legs, very badly.'

0:02:39 > 0:02:44A town centre helipad has been chosen by air ambulance paramedic Glen Powell

0:02:44 > 0:02:47who was on a day off and shopping nearby.

0:02:49 > 0:02:53He's guiding pilot Matt in the only space available,

0:02:53 > 0:02:57a road junction between a multi-storey and a car park.

0:02:57 > 0:02:59It was a good choice.

0:02:59 > 0:03:02They're down within metres of their patient.

0:03:02 > 0:03:05- It was a bit tight. - You did a good job.

0:03:05 > 0:03:08Onboard the chopper today, as well as two paramedics,

0:03:08 > 0:03:12is the Helimed's Assistant Medical Director, Dr Jez Pinnell

0:03:12 > 0:03:16She was on the corner here and was run over by this vehicle here.

0:03:16 > 0:03:20She tried to stand afterwards, but fell down. She has an open groin injury.

0:03:20 > 0:03:25Leg's completely crushed on one side. She hasn't cried once.

0:03:25 > 0:03:27She's been conscious throughout.

0:03:27 > 0:03:30- Katherine's mother is with her. - Hello, Katherine.

0:03:30 > 0:03:35Katherine was standing on the pavement while her mother paid for a parking ticket.

0:03:35 > 0:03:38Now all she can do is comfort her little girl.

0:03:38 > 0:03:43You're doing really well. Can you stick your tongue out for me?

0:03:43 > 0:03:47- It sounds like a game... - Lovely, well done.

0:03:47 > 0:03:50..but Jez can tell several vital things from the tongue test,

0:03:50 > 0:03:53from his patient's level of consciousness

0:03:53 > 0:03:55to how hydrated she is.

0:03:55 > 0:03:57Abdo is soft and non-tender.

0:03:57 > 0:04:01Breathing, both bi-laterally, seems to be normal.

0:04:01 > 0:04:04The three-year-old has terrible crush injuries.

0:04:04 > 0:04:07Her legs are broken in several places

0:04:07 > 0:04:09and her pelvis is fractured.

0:04:09 > 0:04:11Stay with me, darling.

0:04:11 > 0:04:14What we're going to do, because of the injuries she's got,

0:04:14 > 0:04:17we'll get her to Leeds, the children's centre.

0:04:17 > 0:04:23- Can you see your mummy, darling? - We'll try and get some pain relief before we go.

0:04:23 > 0:04:28She's being very good at the moment but it is going to be fairly...

0:04:28 > 0:04:32Katherine's mother told her to stand on the pavement and not move.

0:04:32 > 0:04:38She did exactly as she was told when the lorry came round the corner, clipping the kerb.

0:04:38 > 0:04:42It's a large articulated vehicle involved. It's a very narrow street.

0:04:42 > 0:04:46The back wheels cut the corner and ran up on the pavement

0:04:46 > 0:04:48and made contact with the little girl.

0:04:48 > 0:04:52Whether the driver was aware she was there, I don't know.

0:04:52 > 0:04:55Everyone who's helping is amazed that Katherine isn't crying.

0:04:55 > 0:04:58Lots of people around now, isn't there?

0:04:58 > 0:05:02- You're very brave, Katherine, I have to say.- You are, aren't you?

0:05:02 > 0:05:07- Have you ever been flying? - I shouldn't get involved cos I'm not in uniform.

0:05:07 > 0:05:12There was a lot of commotion, so I asked if it was all right.

0:05:12 > 0:05:18He said he'd call the air ambulance so I just organised a landing site.

0:05:18 > 0:05:20Which, when I look at it now, looks quite tight.

0:05:20 > 0:05:24But the pilot said it was good enough.

0:05:24 > 0:05:28I would imagine they'll be looking at pain relief as the main thing.

0:05:28 > 0:05:31The kiddy's badly injured.

0:05:31 > 0:05:34We want to relax her and give her something for the pain

0:05:34 > 0:05:38to make her less worried about what's going on. That's a priority.

0:05:38 > 0:05:41All right, sweetheart. You're a good girl.

0:05:41 > 0:05:47There's a good girl. Mummy's here. There's a good girl.

0:05:47 > 0:05:49Dr Jez faces a dilemma.

0:05:49 > 0:05:53Katherine's calm, but her injuries are life-threatening.

0:05:53 > 0:05:57She desperately needs to be in hospital, but if Jez moves her quickly,

0:05:57 > 0:06:00her condition could change catastrophically.

0:06:00 > 0:06:03- All right, Katherine.- Good girl.

0:06:07 > 0:06:10Dr Jez's first attempt to find a vein fails.

0:06:10 > 0:06:15It's quite often a problem getting intravenous access with children.

0:06:15 > 0:06:19They have much smaller veins that are harder to find.

0:06:19 > 0:06:24Also, if they're poorly, they can get shut down, and if you're cold, it's harder.

0:06:24 > 0:06:27So the odds are really stacked against getting an IV right.

0:06:27 > 0:06:30Let me see if I can find a vein on this side.

0:06:30 > 0:06:37Perhaps because she's cold and she's at a chubby age, her veins are disappeared.

0:06:38 > 0:06:42- Stay with me! There's a good girl. - We need a cannula.

0:06:42 > 0:06:47While Jez continues to search for a way to get life-saving drugs into Katherine,

0:06:47 > 0:06:51her mother continues to support her daughter the only way she can.

0:06:52 > 0:06:57I love you, Katherine. Mummy's here. You're such a brave girl!

0:06:57 > 0:06:59Good girl!

0:06:59 > 0:07:02If Jez cannot get the drugs in, Katherine can't fly.

0:07:02 > 0:07:04All right, sweetheart.

0:07:04 > 0:07:08Can you see Joe? He's come to say hello!

0:07:08 > 0:07:11If she can't fly, she could die.

0:07:11 > 0:07:14You're a superstar. They're making it better.

0:07:25 > 0:07:28This thing weighs about three tonnes.

0:07:28 > 0:07:31It costs about £3,000 an hour to run.

0:07:31 > 0:07:34There are cheaper ways to reach the sky.

0:07:34 > 0:07:36But they're rarely as safe.

0:07:37 > 0:07:42Paragliding is as close to flying like a bird that a human can get.

0:07:42 > 0:07:47Pilots soar on invisible currents of air, using the updraft caused by hills to stay aloft.

0:07:47 > 0:07:53It's a thrill that brings hundreds of so-called birdmen to the Pennines every weekend.

0:07:53 > 0:07:56This is pilot Norman Fellows.

0:07:56 > 0:07:59But minutes after this video was filmed of him in the air,

0:07:59 > 0:08:03he's come crashing to the ground and he's seriously injured.

0:08:04 > 0:08:07- 'Bearing is 272 and it's 24 miles.' - 24 miles.

0:08:07 > 0:08:12Helimed 98 is on the way to the hillside near Clitheroe, Lancashire.

0:08:12 > 0:08:18We've had a request from Lancashire Ambulance Service to assist with a patient.

0:08:18 > 0:08:25I believe it's a paraglider, initial reports they've fallen from 40 feet.

0:08:25 > 0:08:28No information at the moment on injuries.

0:08:28 > 0:08:32But they're in an isolated location.

0:08:32 > 0:08:35Norman is badly hurt.

0:08:35 > 0:08:39A ground ambulance crew is already caring for him.

0:08:39 > 0:08:43To make matters worse, he's come down in the middle of a road.

0:08:43 > 0:08:48- Look! There's a paraglider chute there.- Yes, that's official.

0:08:48 > 0:08:53I suspect it's in that location. Keep your eyes peeled for other paragliders.

0:08:56 > 0:09:00Now paramedic Pete Vallance needs Norman's mates to gather up their chutes

0:09:00 > 0:09:02and clear the landing area.

0:09:02 > 0:09:05If Helimed 98's downwash inflates one of them,

0:09:05 > 0:09:07it could bring down the chopper.

0:09:07 > 0:09:10It's still too close to us, this blue one.

0:09:10 > 0:09:13They'll have to move that canopy.

0:09:13 > 0:09:16At last Helimed 98 is safely down.

0:09:20 > 0:09:21Hiya.

0:09:21 > 0:09:26- Sorry about the delay.- No problem. - This is Norman.- Yes.

0:09:26 > 0:09:32- He's 40 foot up, he's completely stalled and he's flat on his back.- Flat on his back.

0:09:32 > 0:09:36Norman's in a bad way. His mates saw it all happen.

0:09:36 > 0:09:43He's come off the hill. He's flying, come over to land where the helicopter is,

0:09:43 > 0:09:47he slowed his airspeed down, it stalled on him, the glider peeled back

0:09:47 > 0:09:50and he fell about 40 foot onto the road.

0:09:50 > 0:09:53Someone's up there now, flying over,

0:09:53 > 0:09:55but it's been a nice day.

0:09:55 > 0:09:58Lads have been out flying over towards Clitheroe.

0:09:58 > 0:10:01It's one of those things. That's how it is with the sport.

0:10:01 > 0:10:06Fantastic. Well done, mate. Has he had any loss of consciousness?

0:10:06 > 0:10:10No, but he is very sweaty. I don't know if he's got any injury.

0:10:10 > 0:10:16Air ambulance paramedic Dave Appleby can see his patient is likely to have broken his pelvis.

0:10:16 > 0:10:19Just tell me if you can feel me doing this.

0:10:19 > 0:10:23But an impact like this can also cause spinal damage.

0:10:23 > 0:10:28His questions are carefully phrased to identify any tell-tale symptom.

0:10:28 > 0:10:31Whereabouts is the pain in his back?

0:10:31 > 0:10:35- Lower back.- Right across the back, or on your spine or what? Do you know?

0:10:35 > 0:10:38- On your spine?- Uh, uh, uh!

0:10:38 > 0:10:42What's hurting you there? Can you feel your legs?

0:10:45 > 0:10:49Pilot Andy Lister used to land Navy choppers on the pitching decks

0:10:49 > 0:10:51of warships at sea.

0:10:51 > 0:10:53But he doesn't fancy the risks of paragliding!

0:10:53 > 0:10:57Paragliding seems a very foolish thing to do indeed!

0:10:57 > 0:11:00At this stage, it's unfair,

0:11:00 > 0:11:04and I suspect, for whatever reason, the canopy's collapsed

0:11:04 > 0:11:07and he's fallen onto the tarmac road.

0:11:07 > 0:11:11It's unfortunate, because there's soft grass around!

0:11:11 > 0:11:13Norman desperately needs hospital care.

0:11:13 > 0:11:17But moving him will have its risks.

0:11:17 > 0:11:21One wrong move could leave their patient paralysed.

0:11:28 > 0:11:32Horse riders make up a big part of any air ambulance's workload.

0:11:32 > 0:11:35When they come off, they hit the ground from six feet up

0:11:35 > 0:11:38often at 20 miles an hour or more

0:11:38 > 0:11:41and with little in the way of protective clothing.

0:11:41 > 0:11:45But some riding accidents present even bigger problems

0:11:45 > 0:11:47for the Helimed crews.

0:11:48 > 0:11:50On a remote hill in the Peak District,

0:11:50 > 0:11:53a group of horse-riders have been thrown off

0:11:53 > 0:11:57and today, there's more than one of them who needs help.

0:11:57 > 0:12:02One fell and it was like a domino. Then one horse jumped through the wall

0:12:02 > 0:12:04and got wrapped up by the barbed wire.

0:12:04 > 0:12:07It went a bit chaotic, then!

0:12:07 > 0:12:11The crew of Helimed 98 have been dispatched from Sheffield

0:12:11 > 0:12:14and they know they're facing multiple patients.

0:12:14 > 0:12:17They tend to go out in pairs, these horse-riders, or groups,

0:12:17 > 0:12:20so if something spooks one horse

0:12:20 > 0:12:24it's not unusual to spook a pair.

0:12:24 > 0:12:27But it's unusual for two people to be thrown.

0:12:27 > 0:12:31Flying through the countryside means they often come face to face with wildlife.

0:12:31 > 0:12:35Today, paramedic Sammy Wills is on the lookout for birds.

0:12:35 > 0:12:38- There's another one! - They don't know where to go!

0:12:38 > 0:12:40No.

0:12:40 > 0:12:43It's a bank holiday Monday, and the moors and tracks

0:12:43 > 0:12:46are filled with people enjoying the sunshine.

0:12:46 > 0:12:49But it means they can't be sure of who needs help.

0:12:49 > 0:12:55We're struggling to find them, Dave. Did they say whereabouts they were?

0:12:58 > 0:13:01There are a couple of people stood in a field there.

0:13:04 > 0:13:05We'll go in, then.

0:13:07 > 0:13:09Let's go back onto that road and twizzle round.

0:13:09 > 0:13:14The ambulance is here, waving us in. Follow that blue car.

0:13:14 > 0:13:18A local farmer guides Helimed 98 and the land ambulance

0:13:18 > 0:13:21to where the riders are, next to a hilltop track.

0:13:26 > 0:13:28What's happened?

0:13:28 > 0:13:31This is Frankie. Three people fell. Frankie hurt her head.

0:13:31 > 0:13:36Let's quickly just see. Two seconds.

0:13:36 > 0:13:41It soon becomes clear there were three people all thrown from their horses.

0:13:41 > 0:13:45We were going fairly fast down the side there.

0:13:45 > 0:13:49The first thing I was aware of was one of the horses veered onto the road.

0:13:49 > 0:13:51And then switched back.

0:13:51 > 0:13:55I think then mine was basically stuck with nowhere to go

0:13:55 > 0:13:57and decided to stop.

0:13:57 > 0:14:01I carried on with the inertia and the next thing the horse is on top of me,

0:14:01 > 0:14:06running past, and then I saw these two ladies and came to help them.

0:14:06 > 0:14:11Sweetheart, can one of you help me? Can one of you kneel down where her head is?

0:14:11 > 0:14:15I want you to hold her head while we have a quick listen.

0:14:15 > 0:14:17Make sure everything is OK.

0:14:17 > 0:14:20Nikky and Frankie seem to have similar injuries.

0:14:20 > 0:14:23But the helicopter can only take one of them to hospital.

0:14:23 > 0:14:28Paramedic James Vine has to work out who needs the most urgent treatment.

0:14:28 > 0:14:31Let me have a feel of your back. Any pain down through here?

0:14:31 > 0:14:34Yes or no, when I press, Frankie.

0:14:34 > 0:14:37It's sore there? OK. Here?

0:14:37 > 0:14:42I think as one was trying to overtake and the girl lost her balance,

0:14:42 > 0:14:46horses tend to naturally avoid the rider on the floor.

0:14:46 > 0:14:48And they tried to get round each other.

0:14:48 > 0:14:51As a rider, if you're not expecting it,

0:14:51 > 0:14:54you go one way, the horse goes the other, and that can unseat you.

0:14:54 > 0:14:58- There's a lot of grazing. Can you wiggle your feet for me?- Oh, gosh!

0:14:58 > 0:15:01What? A lot of people say that to me!

0:15:01 > 0:15:03Don't worry about it.

0:15:03 > 0:15:07Don't feel no pain up here, though?

0:15:07 > 0:15:11Our other lady hasn't been knocked out, so...

0:15:11 > 0:15:15- OK.- It seems very similar back pain.

0:15:15 > 0:15:19James and Sammy suspect both riders could have spinal injuries.

0:15:19 > 0:15:22Don't move at all for us, Frankie.

0:15:22 > 0:15:24Everybody ready? One, two, three, roll.

0:15:24 > 0:15:28It's decided that Nicky needs to get to hospital fastest.

0:15:28 > 0:15:31So Frankie will head to hospital in the back of an ambulance

0:15:31 > 0:15:34while Charles gets a lift in with his wife.

0:15:34 > 0:15:40Dave, we're going to lift this patient to Sheffield Northern. ETA approximately 13.00.

0:15:40 > 0:15:43I've got no network coverage here for the Ashay

0:15:43 > 0:15:46so can I pass the details through you? Over.

0:15:46 > 0:15:48Both patients have very similar injuries.

0:15:48 > 0:15:50One's just in more pain than the other.

0:15:50 > 0:15:52That's why we're taking this lady.

0:15:52 > 0:15:56All three are soon on their way to hospital. One in a car,

0:15:56 > 0:15:59one in an ambulance, and Nicky in a helicopter.

0:15:59 > 0:16:03A multiple horse collision is a first for the Helimed team.

0:16:03 > 0:16:08Happily all the riders made a full recovery and are back in the saddle.

0:16:19 > 0:16:21Let's return to the case of Katherine,

0:16:21 > 0:16:26the little girl run over by a lorry outside a playschool in Halifax.

0:16:26 > 0:16:28She's badly hurt.

0:16:29 > 0:16:31On a town centre street,

0:16:31 > 0:16:35Dr Jez Pinnell is fighting to save a little girl's life.

0:16:35 > 0:16:37It's a battle he's in danger of losing.

0:16:37 > 0:16:40Her legs are crushed.

0:16:40 > 0:16:44You've got beautiful eyes. We want to see them! There's a good girl.

0:16:44 > 0:16:47Now Katherine's father has rushed to the scene.

0:16:47 > 0:16:50- You're doing very well. - Good girl, Kat.

0:16:50 > 0:16:52I love you, darling. There's a good girl.

0:16:54 > 0:16:57Katherine has noticed who's arrived.

0:16:57 > 0:17:00Daddy's come to say hello! Shall we show Daddy Joe?

0:17:03 > 0:17:09We're just, um... Jez is doing some treatment on this kid here.

0:17:09 > 0:17:11Then we're going to LGA.

0:17:11 > 0:17:16Dr Jez is struggling to get a line into Katherine's tiny veins.

0:17:16 > 0:17:18He wants to give her painkilling drugs.

0:17:18 > 0:17:21But the cold weather and her age are against him.

0:17:21 > 0:17:24Mummy's here. There's a good girl.

0:17:24 > 0:17:27Good girl.

0:17:27 > 0:17:29Finally, he decides to try new technology.

0:17:29 > 0:17:31The only other option we've got

0:17:31 > 0:17:36is to put one of these little needles into the bone marrow.

0:17:36 > 0:17:39- Right.- It's a bit unpleasant

0:17:39 > 0:17:42- but from a safety point of view, it might be the best bet.- OK.

0:17:42 > 0:17:46- Whatever you think. Stay with me, Katherine.- All right, baby.

0:17:46 > 0:17:49The paramedics call this the bone gun.

0:17:49 > 0:17:53It was developed with the help of the SAS to help battlefield medics

0:17:53 > 0:17:56to get painkilling drugs into wounded soldiers.

0:17:56 > 0:17:59Today it's Jez's last hope.

0:18:00 > 0:18:03It's almost the same as having access directly into a vein.

0:18:03 > 0:18:07The amount of time it takes for drugs to get into the bloodstream

0:18:07 > 0:18:09is almost instantaneous through the bone marrow.

0:18:09 > 0:18:14At the key moment, Mum's comforting voice is there to distract her daughter.

0:18:14 > 0:18:18All right. Look at Mummy. Look at Mummy. Where is she?

0:18:18 > 0:18:20Hello, darling. There's a good girl.

0:18:23 > 0:18:25It's worked.

0:18:25 > 0:18:29Katherine's parents are keeping calm for the sake of their daughter.

0:18:29 > 0:18:34- All right, darling. Mummy's here. - Daddy's here as well.- Yeah.

0:18:34 > 0:18:39They know she needs their reassurance as much as the medic care she's receiving.

0:18:40 > 0:18:44Can we just draw up a bit of morphine, mate. Ten of morphine.

0:18:45 > 0:18:48She may not be so responsive now with that stuff in.

0:18:48 > 0:18:52If she looks like she's in pain, we'll give her a bit more.

0:18:56 > 0:18:58Are you in, sweetheart?

0:18:58 > 0:19:00Hello. Stick your tongue out for me.

0:19:00 > 0:19:03Can you stick your tongue out? That's lovely!

0:19:05 > 0:19:09Pilot Matt must reverse out of his town centre landing site.

0:19:09 > 0:19:14If an engine fails, it will allow him to land back on the junction.

0:19:14 > 0:19:17It's risky, but it could save Katherine's life.

0:19:17 > 0:19:20The local paramedics who were first to arrive

0:19:20 > 0:19:21are the last to leave.

0:19:21 > 0:19:24They are clearly shocked.

0:19:24 > 0:19:27I don't think I've ever seen anything like it.

0:19:27 > 0:19:29Not one tear throughout the whole thing.

0:19:29 > 0:19:34A couple of cries of pain when she was being moved, but apart from that...

0:19:34 > 0:19:36Unbelievable. Very brave little girl.

0:19:36 > 0:19:39Within minutes of leaving Halifax,

0:19:39 > 0:19:42Katherine is at the Leeds General Infirmary.

0:19:42 > 0:19:44The Helimed team have done all they can.

0:19:44 > 0:19:47This is Katherine. She's three-and-a-half.

0:19:47 > 0:19:51She was standing on the kerb and a lorry has mounted the kerb

0:19:51 > 0:19:53and gone over pelvis and legs.

0:19:53 > 0:19:56Katherine is alive and in the best hands.

0:19:56 > 0:20:00Whether they can save the three-year-old's legs is still in doubt.

0:20:05 > 0:20:09Coming up: surgeons start the fight to save Katherine.

0:20:09 > 0:20:12But her survival is far from certain.

0:20:12 > 0:20:17You can't help but feel for the parents and what they must be going through.

0:20:23 > 0:20:26Remember the intrepid birdman

0:20:26 > 0:20:29whose paragliding accident left him with serious injuries?

0:20:29 > 0:20:31Let's get back to his rescue.

0:20:31 > 0:20:35This is paraglider pilot Norman Fellows,

0:20:35 > 0:20:37soaring in the afternoon sun.

0:20:38 > 0:20:40And this is Norman two minutes later.

0:20:40 > 0:20:44His pelvis shattered, he's in a lot of pain.

0:20:45 > 0:20:49Helimed paramedics Dave and Pete fear the downed pilot

0:20:49 > 0:20:51has also broken his back.

0:20:51 > 0:20:54Is that all right, Norman? It's not hurting you?

0:20:56 > 0:20:59He just stalled it. He just came out and stopped.

0:20:59 > 0:21:02It flew back on him. He just dropped out.

0:21:02 > 0:21:04Now Norman faces more pain

0:21:04 > 0:21:08as the team roll him so he can be strapped onto a spinal stretcher.

0:21:08 > 0:21:11It's you to tell us to roll, cos you've got his head.

0:21:11 > 0:21:17OK? Norman, we're just going to move you onto our board now

0:21:17 > 0:21:20so you'll feel the padding at your back being moved away

0:21:20 > 0:21:21and a board coming in.

0:21:21 > 0:21:24It's essential his head and back are kept in line.

0:21:24 > 0:21:28One mistake and he could be paralysed for life.

0:21:28 > 0:21:32The main thing is don't let his head move, all right?

0:21:32 > 0:21:35- On you.- Ready, brace, right now.

0:21:35 > 0:21:37Aghh! Aghh!

0:21:37 > 0:21:39Well done. Well done.

0:21:39 > 0:21:41- OK, mate.- Aghh!

0:21:41 > 0:21:43My leg! My leg!

0:21:43 > 0:21:46But at last they've done it.

0:21:46 > 0:21:47Two, three.

0:21:47 > 0:21:49Time to return Norman to the air

0:21:49 > 0:21:51but this time for a flight to hospital in Blackburn.

0:21:51 > 0:21:54All right, Norman, we're nearly there, mate.

0:21:54 > 0:22:00His mates are packing up their chutes after seeing after seeing a friend plunge 40 feet.

0:22:00 > 0:22:04Their appetite for thrills seems to have disappeared for today.

0:22:04 > 0:22:08He's complaining of a pain score ten out of ten at the moment.

0:22:08 > 0:22:12We're reluctant to give him any morphine and pain relief now

0:22:12 > 0:22:13because his BP has been quite low.

0:22:13 > 0:22:16But it's now picking up after we gave him some fluid

0:22:16 > 0:22:18so we'll try a bit of morphine.

0:22:18 > 0:22:19OK?

0:22:21 > 0:22:23Your left leg, painful?

0:22:23 > 0:22:27In a few minutes, Norman will be undergoing x-rays on his spine.

0:22:27 > 0:22:30Obviously just the way he's fallen

0:22:30 > 0:22:32and from what he's saying about his injuries,

0:22:32 > 0:22:37there's a chance that he could have done some quite serious damage.

0:22:37 > 0:22:42Hopefully not, but you can't exclude it at this moment in time.

0:22:42 > 0:22:45The accident has shattered his pelvis.

0:22:45 > 0:22:47But he could have many other injuries

0:22:47 > 0:22:49left to be discovered.

0:22:52 > 0:22:56Two weeks later and the extent of the damage is very apparent.

0:22:56 > 0:22:59I've got a broken pelvis, broken hip, ruptured bladder,

0:22:59 > 0:23:01ruptured kidney...

0:23:02 > 0:23:05Both sides of my wrist are broken.

0:23:05 > 0:23:09I've got two plates in this forearm.

0:23:09 > 0:23:11That one's only half a bone left.

0:23:11 > 0:23:15I've got to have more surgery to have that replaced in my elbow.

0:23:15 > 0:23:18And I've got a plate in my upper arm.

0:23:18 > 0:23:22This had been Norman's first flight after recovering from a broken ankle.

0:23:22 > 0:23:26He'd spent three hours in the air before things went badly wrong.

0:23:26 > 0:23:29I'd had a previous accident.

0:23:29 > 0:23:32I'd broken my ankle and it was my first flight from then.

0:23:32 > 0:23:36What I should have done is practised take-off and landings,

0:23:36 > 0:23:39built my confidence back up on landings.

0:23:39 > 0:23:42But the weather was that good,

0:23:42 > 0:23:45I took off, hit this thermal and that was me, I was sky-diving.

0:23:45 > 0:23:48Then I made my way down, came in for the land,

0:23:48 > 0:23:54the wing got a bit twitchy, I tried to slow it down as I came in.

0:23:54 > 0:23:56Then it just dropped from behind me.

0:23:56 > 0:24:00As soon as I've realised it, it's gone.

0:24:00 > 0:24:02I've hit the floor.

0:24:02 > 0:24:06I just remember a massive pain shooting up my back.

0:24:06 > 0:24:09But paraglider pilots are a tough bunch.

0:24:09 > 0:24:13Norman thinks he'll soon be ready to take to the sky once again.

0:24:13 > 0:24:18It's just a matter of get back fully fit, then get mentally prepared.

0:24:18 > 0:24:21And start from basics again, I suppose.

0:24:21 > 0:24:25Then hopefully I will get back up there.

0:24:36 > 0:24:39There's no escaping the weather in the north of England.

0:24:39 > 0:24:42These hills endure some of the UK's heaviest rainfall.

0:24:42 > 0:24:46Yet 50 miles that way, people living near the Yorkshire coast enjoy a climate

0:24:46 > 0:24:49almost as dry as North Africa!

0:24:49 > 0:24:51Nothing to give us any trouble today.

0:24:51 > 0:24:56The cloud base is scattered at 2,200.

0:24:56 > 0:25:01Every morning, the Helimed team know the forecast will decide whether they fly...

0:25:01 > 0:25:02- Morning!- Hi!

0:25:02 > 0:25:06..or their life-saving service is grounded.

0:25:07 > 0:25:11We've got 40 degrees out there. Eight degrees viewpoint, so no chance of fog.

0:25:12 > 0:25:16Today it's good news but that's not always the case.

0:25:17 > 0:25:22These helicopters are based here at the UK's highest international airport.

0:25:22 > 0:25:25Leeds Bradford is nearly 1,000 feet above sea level,

0:25:25 > 0:25:29which means it's often in the clouds. And that can be a serious problem.

0:25:29 > 0:25:33It's cold, it's icy and it's foggy.

0:25:33 > 0:25:35The Helimed choppers are going nowhere.

0:25:35 > 0:25:39But for the team at Leeds Bradford airport,

0:25:39 > 0:25:41this doesn't mean it's time to sit back and relax.

0:25:41 > 0:25:44- What have we got? - A car flipped over.

0:25:44 > 0:25:49If the crew are unable to fly, if they're the nearest available paramedics, they will respond.

0:25:49 > 0:25:52You'll be first on scene. The others are coming from Keighley.

0:25:52 > 0:25:58The chopper's left in the hangar and they use their trusty Volvo estate.

0:26:00 > 0:26:05On a road near Ilkley, this four-wheel-drive has skidded and rolled over

0:26:05 > 0:26:07several times.

0:26:07 > 0:26:10- How are we doing? What's happened? - Bit sore.

0:26:10 > 0:26:14- Where are you sore?- Down the middle and my neck's sore.

0:26:14 > 0:26:17Let's have a chat with you over here. Have a sit down.

0:26:17 > 0:26:19We'll sort out the details.

0:26:19 > 0:26:22We came round the roundabout. We were on the inside lane.

0:26:22 > 0:26:25He swerved round the outside, seemed to skid on something

0:26:25 > 0:26:30and then swerved and hit the barrier, completely flipped over

0:26:30 > 0:26:37and crossed the carriageway so we slammed the brakes on and crashed into each other.

0:26:37 > 0:26:43The car has done what it's designed to do, which is take the battering.

0:26:44 > 0:26:50The driver of the 4x4 is taken to Leeds General Infirmary by land ambulance.

0:26:50 > 0:26:54The air ambulance paramedics will return to Leeds Bradford airport.

0:26:54 > 0:26:57If the weather has cleared, they may yet fly today.

0:26:57 > 0:27:01He's been a lucky bloke. The car's taken most of the impact.

0:27:01 > 0:27:07By rolling over, it's not come to a sudden stop and that's taken a lot of energy out of the impact.

0:27:07 > 0:27:09So fortunately,

0:27:09 > 0:27:12a bump on the head and a sore neck, he's got away with it very lightly.

0:27:15 > 0:27:18Ask any helicopter pilot and they'll probably tell you

0:27:18 > 0:27:22that high winds are what they hate to see on the weather forecast.

0:27:22 > 0:27:24Any more than 60 miles per hour

0:27:24 > 0:27:29and this chopper's grounded because of the way the gales affect the rotor blades.

0:27:32 > 0:27:37High winds and driving rain are making flying conditions hazardous at Sheffield heliport.

0:27:37 > 0:27:41But bad weather often brings work for the Helimed team

0:27:41 > 0:27:44and today the gales have caused a freak accident.

0:27:45 > 0:27:50Helimed 98. We have lifted for the Hemsworth area. 98 over.

0:27:50 > 0:27:56In the small town of Hemsworth, a roadside tree has been toppled by a powerful gust.

0:27:56 > 0:27:58The driver of this hatchback managed to stop,

0:27:58 > 0:28:01but the two cars behind her didn't.

0:28:01 > 0:28:06We've got no further details. The ambulance service are stretched.

0:28:06 > 0:28:08We've only got a response car running on it.

0:28:08 > 0:28:12The ETA is about ten minutes to the scene.

0:28:12 > 0:28:14Paramedics Al Day and Pete Vallance

0:28:14 > 0:28:17are getting a rough ride in Helimed 98.

0:28:17 > 0:28:19Not the best of days for flying.

0:28:19 > 0:28:23We've been offline earlier today due to heavy rain.

0:28:23 > 0:28:28And the wind that's cleared that is now pretty uncomfortable for flying.

0:28:29 > 0:28:32Sandra Leach has pins and needles in her arm.

0:28:32 > 0:28:35Worrying signs for someone who's just endured a major impact.

0:28:35 > 0:28:40She probably has whiplash, but it could be a spinal injury

0:28:40 > 0:28:45and paramedics Pete and Al must treat her for that until an x-ray proves otherwise.

0:28:45 > 0:28:48These things are not designed to be comfortable!

0:28:48 > 0:28:51They're functional.

0:28:51 > 0:28:54Bring your head straight. That's it. There we go.

0:28:54 > 0:28:57The team are on their own for the moment.

0:28:57 > 0:29:01Ground ambulances are all out, dealing with the victims of the gale.

0:29:01 > 0:29:07She's had minimal contact with the car in front, but the car behind has given a severe impact

0:29:07 > 0:29:08on the rear.

0:29:08 > 0:29:12At the moment she's complaining of some neck pain.

0:29:12 > 0:29:17There's no ambulances available so though she's stable, we'll extricate her from the car

0:29:17 > 0:29:18and fly her to Pinderfields.

0:29:18 > 0:29:22The three motorists caught up in the crash are shocked.

0:29:22 > 0:29:24If the tree had hit one of the cars,

0:29:24 > 0:29:29the consequences could have been fatal and Sandra's passenger knows that.

0:29:29 > 0:29:31We saw her brake, obviously, for the tree.

0:29:31 > 0:29:34So we brake and next thing, "Boof!"

0:29:34 > 0:29:37He's run into the back of us.

0:29:37 > 0:29:41Oncoming traffic were flashing their lights to warn of a hazard ahead.

0:29:41 > 0:29:43I didn't expect to see a tree, though!

0:29:43 > 0:29:45Are you all right, there, guys?

0:29:45 > 0:29:50Sandra was driving a soft-top Vauxhall Astra.

0:29:50 > 0:29:53It's lucky she was. If it had been an ordinary saloon,

0:29:53 > 0:29:58the team would have had to call the fire brigade to cut off the roof to free her.

0:29:58 > 0:30:00Never mind. You can buy another one, now!

0:30:00 > 0:30:02I hope!

0:30:05 > 0:30:08Sandra needs to be checked out in hospital.

0:30:08 > 0:30:10But the weather rules out a flight.

0:30:13 > 0:30:17She doesn't seem to be too seriously injured and it's very windy

0:30:17 > 0:30:21and she'd be buffeted around in the helicopter, and it would be very unpleasant.

0:30:21 > 0:30:27Being air sick is no joke, and a real risk for patients flown by helicopter.

0:30:28 > 0:30:33Hemsworth is a former mining community and the locals are strong on self-help.

0:30:33 > 0:30:37Men with saws soon arrive to clear the timber.

0:30:37 > 0:30:39I haven't stopped since 7.00 this morning.

0:30:39 > 0:30:43It's gone from flooding to tree damage now.

0:30:46 > 0:30:51Dave, still no sign of this ambo. Have they been diverted somewhere else?

0:30:54 > 0:30:58'I'll give them a buzz. They told me three minutes, just now.

0:30:58 > 0:31:00'I'll call them back.'

0:31:02 > 0:31:04Eventually, Sandra's lift arrives

0:31:04 > 0:31:06and she can begin her journey to hospital.

0:31:06 > 0:31:10One thing's for sure. Her insurance claim won't be the only one

0:31:10 > 0:31:12that mentions the weather today.

0:31:12 > 0:31:16The good news is, she was just suffering from whiplash.

0:31:18 > 0:31:22Winter is bad news if you work for the NHS.

0:31:22 > 0:31:26Not only does the cold worsen many diseases and encourage viruses to spread,

0:31:26 > 0:31:30but the younger and fitter often find themselves dialling 999

0:31:30 > 0:31:33for sporting injuries.

0:31:34 > 0:31:38Snow has covered Yorkshire. Even though it's just November,

0:31:38 > 0:31:41the county is in the grip of a very harsh winter.

0:31:43 > 0:31:46Temperatures have plummeted to minus 14 degrees,

0:31:46 > 0:31:48the coldest on record.

0:31:48 > 0:31:54While communities are grinding to a halt, for many the snow has brought a chance of some exciting action!

0:31:58 > 0:32:01But today one 12-year-old's lust for adventure

0:32:01 > 0:32:03has left him in serious trouble.

0:32:03 > 0:32:05And now he needs help from the air.

0:32:05 > 0:32:11- Do you think it's that one? - I don't know if it's sledging or what he was doing.

0:32:11 > 0:32:14It's a 12-year-old, so I assume someone's with him.

0:32:14 > 0:32:18Michael Foster has been out sledging with his friends.

0:32:18 > 0:32:20But unfortunately for him,

0:32:20 > 0:32:25he chose to tackle this slope in a slightly unconventional way.

0:32:25 > 0:32:28He's having snowboarding lessons for his birthday.

0:32:28 > 0:32:33I think he wanted to have a go at standing up, cos he was doing it last year as well.

0:32:33 > 0:32:36He thought he had the hang of it, but he's just come off.

0:32:36 > 0:32:40A land ambulance crew has just managed to get to Michael.

0:32:40 > 0:32:41He's in a lot of pain.

0:32:41 > 0:32:45So paramedic Paul Bradbury, who usually flies with the helicopter,

0:32:45 > 0:32:49has decided to call in today's crew of Helimed 99.

0:32:49 > 0:32:51He should just be out in the open there.

0:32:51 > 0:32:54There's that big wood there.

0:32:54 > 0:32:59Back at base, dispatcher John Pickford is co-ordinating the rescue.

0:32:59 > 0:33:04Paul, they're just coming up now, so they should be there in the next two minutes or so.

0:33:04 > 0:33:08The crew of Helimed 99 know their patient has an ankle injury.

0:33:08 > 0:33:14But in weather like this, they also know things can quickly get much worse.

0:33:14 > 0:33:17Conditions and situations deteriorate really quickly.

0:33:17 > 0:33:22These people probably won't be completely adequately dressed

0:33:22 > 0:33:26for long-term exposure out in these conditions.

0:33:26 > 0:33:31So we need to get them to a place of warmth and safety where their injuries can be treated.

0:33:32 > 0:33:34Soon they spot the ambulance.

0:33:34 > 0:33:37Ambulance at four o'clock, mate.

0:33:37 > 0:33:40And then a crowd gathered half-way down a steep slope.

0:33:40 > 0:33:45- That's the ambulance, mate. - People by the trees to the right of the road.

0:33:45 > 0:33:47- Yes, that's them, surely.- Yep.

0:33:54 > 0:33:59He's gone down, stood up on his sledge and gone over on his ankle.

0:33:59 > 0:34:01- He stood up on his sledge?- Yeah.

0:34:01 > 0:34:05Tops, nothing but a broken ankle. Got a good pulse.

0:34:05 > 0:34:09Can't get a line in him. He's absolutely freezing cold.

0:34:09 > 0:34:11OK.

0:34:11 > 0:34:13Darren's used to dealing with sledging accidents.

0:34:13 > 0:34:18But it takes him a moment to get his around what Michael's been doing.

0:34:18 > 0:34:21- Did the sledge have a seat on it? - It's behind you.

0:34:21 > 0:34:24- But you were stood up on it?- Yes.

0:34:24 > 0:34:28That's a lesson, then! You won't do that again!

0:34:28 > 0:34:32He got on his sledge straightaway and started to come down.

0:34:32 > 0:34:35And he did a flip and snapped his ankle.

0:34:35 > 0:34:40And we didn't know he was in pain at first cos he wasn't doing 'owt.

0:34:40 > 0:34:42And like,

0:34:42 > 0:34:47Matty rushed to him, saying, "What's happened?" And he'd snapped his ankle.

0:34:47 > 0:34:51- I tried to move him cos we didn't even get a go at sledging. - We phoned his mum.

0:34:51 > 0:34:54We've got a big sleeping bag with handles on it.

0:34:54 > 0:34:57We'll put him in that and carry him back up.

0:34:57 > 0:35:02It has two effects. It warms him up and makes him easy to carry.

0:35:02 > 0:35:06Apparently he'd been stood up on the sledge and he's come off.

0:35:06 > 0:35:10They heard a snap. So he's been like this ever since.

0:35:10 > 0:35:13Like a lot of these things, it could have been far worse.

0:35:13 > 0:35:17He's still got a potentially serious injury to his ankle.

0:35:17 > 0:35:20The main thing is it's in the middle of nowhere here

0:35:20 > 0:35:26so access is a big problem. The land crew were on scene first, but it's a trek back to their vehicle.

0:35:26 > 0:35:29So that's increased time to hospital.

0:35:29 > 0:35:34And he'd be getting colder and delayed for any care needed to his ankle.

0:35:34 > 0:35:40His birthday is on Friday and we booked him for Saturday for his first snowboarding lesson.

0:35:44 > 0:35:49As the weather draws in, Michael's off on a short flight to Rotherham Hospital.

0:35:49 > 0:35:52Certainly not the way he expected his sledging trip to end.

0:35:54 > 0:36:00I went out to the woods. Just got there. I ran in front of everyone else,

0:36:00 > 0:36:04stood on the sledge and realised I was going to fall off.

0:36:04 > 0:36:06So I jumped off.

0:36:06 > 0:36:10And that's when I heard a really big snap!

0:36:10 > 0:36:16I was really upset at first, especially when I had to cancel his snowboarding trip with the school

0:36:16 > 0:36:19and cancel his snowboarding trip for his birthday.

0:36:19 > 0:36:22But his spirits are up now. He's got his sense of humour back

0:36:22 > 0:36:25and he's all right at the moment but I'm sure he'll get fed up!

0:36:27 > 0:36:30Michael's passion for winter sports is undiminished.

0:36:30 > 0:36:32He hopes to be back on the ski slopes this winter

0:36:32 > 0:36:36despite experiencing the risks of taking on the snow first hand!

0:36:40 > 0:36:45You may be surprised to hear that hot weather is almost as bad as winter

0:36:45 > 0:36:48for increasing the emergency services' workload.

0:36:50 > 0:36:53It's high summer and the temperature is soaring.

0:36:53 > 0:36:56Yorkshire's holiday hotspots are filling up.

0:36:56 > 0:36:59But as the shorts go on and the shirts come off,

0:36:59 > 0:37:01some injuries become more serious.

0:37:02 > 0:37:05The Helimed paramedics are feeling the heat too, today.

0:37:05 > 0:37:10But they're on their way to an accident that's common in the barbecue season.

0:37:10 > 0:37:12A child burned while trying to light a fire.

0:37:14 > 0:37:19'Just quickly, Ray's just been back on. Patient has between 18 and 22% burns

0:37:19 > 0:37:22'to his right hand and abdomen.

0:37:22 > 0:37:25Superficial burns to his head and face.'

0:37:25 > 0:37:29The boy was accidentally splashed with flammable liquid by a friend.

0:37:29 > 0:37:30It caught fire instantly.

0:37:33 > 0:37:36- Right arm and a bit on his abdomen that was exposed.- Face?

0:37:36 > 0:37:40- Not that we can see, no. - He's about 12?

0:37:40 > 0:37:41He's 12.

0:37:41 > 0:37:46With a burn like this, the first thing to do is to cool it. Water will do this.

0:37:46 > 0:37:52The next is to cover it. The team have used clingfilm, ideal because it won't get embedded in the wound.

0:37:52 > 0:37:57It will also stop air circulating around the burn and ease the patient's pain.

0:37:57 > 0:38:01For information, right arm, partial thickness...

0:38:01 > 0:38:04Sammy applies a burn shield.

0:38:04 > 0:38:07Oh, laddy, you are going to like this!

0:38:07 > 0:38:10This soothing pad contains aloe vera.

0:38:10 > 0:38:16It will ease the pain until he's taken to the paediatric burns unit at the Leeds General Infirmary.

0:38:16 > 0:38:17Can you feel the gel?

0:38:17 > 0:38:19Good lad.

0:38:19 > 0:38:21The patient doesn't want an injection.

0:38:21 > 0:38:26Many of us are squeamish about needles but it means the paramedics can't administer morphine,

0:38:26 > 0:38:29the strongest painkiller at their disposal.

0:38:29 > 0:38:33Their patient is also not keen on the idea of taking to the skies.

0:38:33 > 0:38:36He's really scared but if his mum can come with us, he'll come.

0:38:36 > 0:38:38He doesn't want the needle.

0:38:38 > 0:38:41I'd like to lay him down, but we'll just wheel him out.

0:38:41 > 0:38:46Helimed 98 takes off for hospital with Mum on board for support.

0:38:46 > 0:38:51Despite 10% burns, he'll soon recover from the accident.

0:38:51 > 0:38:55And he's unlikely to be the last casualty of this heat wave.

0:38:57 > 0:39:01The patients who were under the weather in more ways than one

0:39:01 > 0:39:03thankfully are all on the mend.

0:39:03 > 0:39:06But now let's return to Halifax in the Pennines,

0:39:06 > 0:39:09the town gripped by the case of Katherine,

0:39:09 > 0:39:13the local girl badly injured in a freak accident

0:39:13 > 0:39:15outside a playschool.

0:39:15 > 0:39:20Surgeons at Leeds General Infirmary will work through the night tonight.

0:39:20 > 0:39:24They're beginning a series of operations to save little Katherine Ogden's legs

0:39:24 > 0:39:27crushed by the wheels of a heavy lorry.

0:39:28 > 0:39:30I've got two little boys myself,

0:39:30 > 0:39:32one who's not much older than she is.

0:39:32 > 0:39:36As a parent, you'll can't help but feel for the parents

0:39:36 > 0:39:38and what they must be going through.

0:39:38 > 0:39:41In the following few weeks,

0:39:41 > 0:39:43Katherine undergoes a dozen operations.

0:39:43 > 0:39:47Her broken bones are repaired. Muscle and skin tissue is grafted.

0:39:47 > 0:39:50And her mother never leaves her bedside.

0:39:50 > 0:39:54I think we're still in shock. We've not dealt with it yet at all.

0:39:54 > 0:39:56There have been remarkably few tears.

0:39:56 > 0:40:01We've been trying to keep strong for the children and keep strong for Katherine.

0:40:01 > 0:40:04Where's the rest of her frock?

0:40:04 > 0:40:06Two months and 18 operations later,

0:40:06 > 0:40:10Katherine is out of intensive care.

0:40:10 > 0:40:14The doctors have rebuilt her legs and the skin tissue surrounding them.

0:40:14 > 0:40:18But they are so badly damaged, she's having to learn to walk again.

0:40:18 > 0:40:20Ready, steady...

0:40:20 > 0:40:23Well done, Katherine!

0:40:23 > 0:40:30She's now seen her legs and we talk to her about how beautiful they are and how special she is.

0:40:30 > 0:40:33She's just accepting what she is.

0:40:33 > 0:40:34Mummy's got you.

0:40:34 > 0:40:39She just gets on with it. That's what a three-year-old does. She's amazing.

0:40:39 > 0:40:42Where's Grandma? Where are we going to walk to?

0:40:42 > 0:40:44She's got a real will about her.

0:40:44 > 0:40:46Well done, Katherine!

0:40:46 > 0:40:47She's been a real battler.

0:40:47 > 0:40:51I think somebody's going to get physio star of the week!

0:40:51 > 0:40:53She does understand the reasons for things

0:40:53 > 0:40:57and if you explain to her why you're doing different things,

0:40:57 > 0:40:59she's able to work things out for herself.

0:41:01 > 0:41:05- What's the time, Mr Wolf? - Six o'clock!

0:41:05 > 0:41:08And a few weeks after those first tentative steps,

0:41:08 > 0:41:11Katherine is out of hospital.

0:41:11 > 0:41:14What's the time, Mr Wolf?

0:41:17 > 0:41:22The reason she's come on so much is we've tried to lead a normal life as far as we can.

0:41:22 > 0:41:29Which has meant bringing her to the park, taking her on the school run,

0:41:29 > 0:41:32so that she's just had an ordinary day-to-day life.

0:41:32 > 0:41:35Reach up! Daddy lift you across the top?

0:41:35 > 0:41:37Yeah!

0:41:37 > 0:41:41There were times in the hospital we thought she might not walk again.

0:41:41 > 0:41:43Times when we thought we might not see her again.

0:41:43 > 0:41:48So soon, relatively, after the accident, it's just amazing

0:41:48 > 0:41:52to see her up and about, walking and enjoying herself.

0:41:52 > 0:41:54Hello, Katherine!

0:41:54 > 0:41:57How are you today? Are you all right?

0:41:57 > 0:41:59What have you got in your shop for me today?

0:41:59 > 0:42:02- Some Weetabix.- Weetabix, yes.

0:42:02 > 0:42:06Somebody was talking to me the other day about how much of a close call it was.

0:42:06 > 0:42:10It's only now it's hitting us how seriously injured she was

0:42:10 > 0:42:13and how it was touch and go for a while.

0:42:13 > 0:42:18The fact that there were so many people involved in making sure that she was going to make it

0:42:18 > 0:42:23and that she was going to come back to being the little girl she always was

0:42:23 > 0:42:26we can't thank people enough for everything that they did

0:42:26 > 0:42:29in order to help save our little girl's life.

0:42:33 > 0:42:36I'm pleased to say Katherine's recovering so quickly,

0:42:36 > 0:42:39she'll soon be well enough to return to playschool.

0:42:53 > 0:42:56Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd