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.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11Complaining of severe pain.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Mid-30s, been ejected from a vehicle.
0:00:14 > 0:00:19Hospital is an hour away by road and speed is the only thing that can save you.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22Roger. Helimed 99's en route. Over.
0:00:22 > 0:00:28The Yorkshire Air Ambulance and its highly trained paramedics are scrambled a thousand times a year.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31- 'What's happened? - A wagon's run over a small child.'
0:00:31 > 0:00:36Many of its ex-military pilots flew the SAS into action.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39That's not a suitable landing site. This is.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43Welcome to the life-and-death world of the Helicopter Heroes.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07Today on Helicopter Heroes...
0:01:07 > 0:01:10The team scramble to a hit-and-run accident.
0:01:10 > 0:01:15I looked back and I saw carnage. They went down like dominoes.
0:01:15 > 0:01:20- A girl is stranded in a dangerous river.- I'm concerned she'll get swept away.
0:01:20 > 0:01:26Pilot Tim invades a castle in the fight to save a boy knocked down by a runaway truck.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30It just carried on and hit them. It were just a little boy pinned there.
0:01:30 > 0:01:35And an Everest expedition ends barely a thousand feet up.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38We're climbing to Everest base camp in a month's time.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50Few people are more vulnerable on our roads than cyclists.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52They share them with cars and lorries,
0:01:52 > 0:01:55but when something goes wrong,
0:01:55 > 0:01:58there's no seatbelts or airbags to save them
0:01:58 > 0:02:01and their injuries can often be very serious.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06The historic town of Richmond is home to a thriving cycling club.
0:02:06 > 0:02:11And every weekend, its members head out into the lanes of the Yorkshire Dales.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15But today, a Sunday spin has ended in serious injury.
0:02:15 > 0:02:20'Helimed 98. A car versus a group of push bikes.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24'We've got three patients, two with query pelvic
0:02:24 > 0:02:28'and the third has been KO'd, just coming round.'
0:02:28 > 0:02:32At times like this, paramedics know speed is critical.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35It's a good job Pete Vallance is a keen runner.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38It's clear a large group of cyclists are involved.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42Casualties are strewn across the road.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46We were overtaken by a cattle trailer and Land Rover.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49There was an oncoming cyclist from the opposite direction.
0:02:49 > 0:02:56It made him pull in too quickly and clipped the front group of riders which obviously ended in this result.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58How are we doing?
0:02:58 > 0:03:00- We've got pelvis.- This guy?- Yeah.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04Pelvis, lower back, possible hips.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07- He's got a numb feeling in his arms. - OK.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11Chris Snape took the full force of the impact.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14It shattered his pelvis and he's going into shock.
0:03:14 > 0:03:20- Guys, Chris...- Controlled breaths. - Deeper breaths. You're going to go dizzy with that, boss.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25I was right at the very front, so I was kind of immune to all this,
0:03:25 > 0:03:31but I saw one guy go down, I looked back and I saw basic carnage behind us. They went down like dominoes.
0:03:31 > 0:03:36Initially, I thought it was guys at the front who were braking,
0:03:36 > 0:03:39then I saw a bike actually just sort of topple over.
0:03:39 > 0:03:45I just ran into the person in front, but the guys in front were cascading over each other.
0:03:45 > 0:03:52And with so many riders injured in the crash, Pete needs to quickly assess all of his patients.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56- We've got another guy who was knocked out on the floor as well.- Right.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00So could I just ask you a favour? You've been knocked out then, yeah?
0:04:00 > 0:04:04- So they say.- Do you mind just kneeling down behind here?- Yeah.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08- I know you've got no pain in your neck or your back.- Yeah, no pain.
0:04:08 > 0:04:13Just try and keep your head still. Would somebody mind keeping hold of his head?
0:04:13 > 0:04:16With so many potential patients and so little time,
0:04:16 > 0:04:22Pete's improvising a support for the rider's neck and back. He could have a spinal injury.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26I chased after the vehicle to try and stop it, but it was long gone.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28How are you doing there, sir?
0:04:28 > 0:04:34Does somebody mind just taking this guy's head for us and just support him while he's laid down
0:04:34 > 0:04:39until we can get more hands down to actually do anything about it?
0:04:39 > 0:04:42It'll be the one that Simon's down with.
0:04:42 > 0:04:48- We're just dealing with one of your colleagues. How are you feeling? - It's my right hip.- Yeah.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52- That's taken the hit.- OK.- I've cracked my helmet, but I'm not...
0:04:52 > 0:04:54Thankfully, you've got a helmet on.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58The hip is the only thing that's hurting.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01I'm just going to uncover you for two minutes.
0:05:02 > 0:05:08OK, you've got obvious abrasions here on the outside and that's gone through your bottom, yeah?
0:05:08 > 0:05:12So you've got pain actually into your groin as well.
0:05:12 > 0:05:17Welcome reinforcements are arriving. It's the Great North Air Ambulance.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22Is that helping you, Chris? Making you feel a bit better?
0:05:22 > 0:05:26A fractured pelvis is a serious, life-threatening injury.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29The pelvic bone protects many organs, bones and nerves,
0:05:29 > 0:05:34so a high-impact injury like this could mean major internal damage.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38But before Chris can be moved, his pelvis needs to be secured.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42We've got a belt that's just going to go round the top of your hips.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45The Helimed team carry a special pelvic splint.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49It's like a giant corset to hold everything in place,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52but for it to work, it needs to be tight.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55Right, a bit more. That's about right, mate, for me.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59Can I pull it through a bit? Just support him. Pull it through.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02- And every click can be agonising. - Agh!
0:06:02 > 0:06:09Just bear with us, Chris. Deep breaths. Don't stop breathing. This is when you're going to need it.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Chris's pelvis is now stabilised,
0:06:11 > 0:06:16but none of the team know the extent of the internal injuries this accident has caused.
0:06:16 > 0:06:21He urgently needs hospital treatment, but that's 20 miles away.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34Fast-flowing water is a killer.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38Just two feet deep, it's enough to sweep a full-grown man off his feet.
0:06:38 > 0:06:44So if someone's in trouble in a river, the emergency services take no chances.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49It's the end of summer at Bolton Abbey in North Yorkshire
0:06:49 > 0:06:53and the day-trippers are cooling off by the waters of the River Wharfe.
0:06:53 > 0:06:58This is a popular beauty spot, but the river here can be treacherous.
0:06:58 > 0:07:03Bronte Polvani is less than 20 feet from the bank with her auntie only yards away,
0:07:03 > 0:07:06but her life is in real danger.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10If she slips, she'll be swept into a series of rapids and whirlpools
0:07:10 > 0:07:16that have killed dozens of people over the years, as paramedic Lee Davison knows.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19'It's somewhere that a lot of people visit.
0:07:19 > 0:07:25'Some people go swimming in the river and it's claimed a few lives over the years.
0:07:25 > 0:07:30'Very recently, I went to a young boy of eight years old that drowned there.
0:07:30 > 0:07:35'So that's very recent and obviously it brings back the memories of that day.'
0:07:35 > 0:07:38Bolton Abbey is an easy landmark to find,
0:07:38 > 0:07:42but there's five miles of riverbank to search for the casualty.
0:07:44 > 0:07:50- 'There's an RV in the bottom corner. The fire brigade are there.- There's somebody in the water.- Yeah.'
0:07:51 > 0:07:55She's been in there about 20 minutes. But I don't want her losing grip.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59- No, we've had people go underneath before.- We've had too many.
0:07:59 > 0:08:05Bronte's auntie, Jill Wadsworth, has been doing a good job keeping up her niece's spirits,
0:08:05 > 0:08:08but Bronte is getting tired and cold.
0:08:08 > 0:08:14I'm concerned that she may grow weak, as she already is doing, and she's going to get swept away.
0:08:14 > 0:08:20- Yeah.- We're going to perform a rescue just because of the time period that she's been in there.
0:08:20 > 0:08:26We have got a Water Rescue Unit coming from Bingley, but we're looking at probably 20 minutes away.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30I'll just assess the situation and get back to you.
0:08:30 > 0:08:36Ten-year-old Bronte was paddling in the shallows with her cousins when they were swept away.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40Jill managed to rescue them, but she couldn't reach Bronte.
0:08:40 > 0:08:45We asked them if they were OK and they said, "My sister's drowning," but they'd called help,
0:08:45 > 0:08:48so we came to see if we could do anything.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52No-one will be going into the water without a life jacket.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55Everyone knows the river's grim reputation.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57It's a bit of an accident spot.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01We've had a couple of kids drown here quite recently,
0:09:01 > 0:09:03so the worst thing that could happen
0:09:03 > 0:09:09is she could lose her grip and end up downstream, but some firemen are ready to throw her a line.
0:09:09 > 0:09:14We just need to get her out and obviously get her out of the cold water.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18Water a few inches deep can sweep an adult off their feet.
0:09:18 > 0:09:23Even the firefighters are struggling to stay upright.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27At least Bronte now has a life jacket if she's swept away.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30But she's not safe yet.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45Imagine walking down the street and being hit by a runaway vehicle!
0:09:45 > 0:09:49It's a terrifying thought, but one day in South Yorkshire,
0:09:49 > 0:09:52that's exactly what happened to a young boy.
0:09:53 > 0:09:58The battlements of ancient Conisbrough Castle have seen many dramatic events
0:09:58 > 0:10:01in the nine centuries since they were built,
0:10:01 > 0:10:05but today, Helimed 98 is about to add another chapter.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09'98, we're over Conisbrough Castle now. Just looking at your map,
0:10:09 > 0:10:15'could you point us in the right direction, north-east, south-west of the castle? Over.'
0:10:15 > 0:10:19Pilot Tim Taylor is touching down in the grounds.
0:10:20 > 0:10:26Just down the road from the castle walls, there's been a freak accident.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28Hello, pal. How are we doing, Ben?
0:10:28 > 0:10:34Ben Grainger was walking down the road with his mum Michelle and sister when he was hit
0:10:34 > 0:10:37by this runaway truck. His leg is badly broken.
0:10:37 > 0:10:42We're going to be transporting this patient. I'll just give you a quick heads-up.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46He's an eight-year-old male, query isolated femur.
0:10:46 > 0:10:52Ben was pinned against the wall until the driver arrived and reversed the truck away.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57I were just driving up and that lorry there just came rolling down.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01I thought somebody were acting about or they were taking a wide corner,
0:11:01 > 0:11:03then it just carried on and hit them.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07It were just a little boy that were pinned there.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11Paramedic James fears he may have serious internal injuries.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14Isolated femur, Sammy, by the looks of it.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Are you all right, kid?
0:11:16 > 0:11:22The first paramedics on scene have done a good job beginning Ben's treatment.
0:11:22 > 0:11:27When we arrived, by all accounts, the pick-up had been moved away
0:11:27 > 0:11:30and he were just on the floor with his mum cradling him.
0:11:30 > 0:11:36Helimed 98 was already in its hangar and the crew were about to head home when the call came in.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39Now they're running out of daylight.
0:11:39 > 0:11:4318 minutes. Lovely. We've got wires on here.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46Ready on three. One, two, three, nice and steady.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49Keep moving, keep moving. Stop. Lovely job.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52Just lay back, mister. Good lad.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54For an eight-year-old, Ben is very brave.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58- Is that tummy sore?- What? - Does your tummy feel OK?- Yeah.
0:11:58 > 0:12:04Where I'm touching? Point with this hand where it's sore... Just here?
0:12:06 > 0:12:08Right, let's go, let's go.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Sweetheart, do you want to come with us? Yeah?
0:12:11 > 0:12:16Everything seems like a rush because we need to be up in the air in ten minutes.
0:12:16 > 0:12:22James is commandeering a ground ambulance for a short drive back to the castle.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24Ben's mother will travel with him.
0:12:24 > 0:12:30He's been hit by that van at some significant speed, so we just need to be really careful with him.
0:12:30 > 0:12:37He needs to go to the Children's and the quickest way is by air, but we must be in the air in five minutes,
0:12:37 > 0:12:40otherwise he'll have to go in an ambulance.
0:12:40 > 0:12:45Once we've got him in the cab, I'll explain everything and we'll slow everything down.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49Are you all right, Benny boy? Stick your tongue out for me... Good lad.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53We'll just take it off on the spinal board, I think.
0:12:53 > 0:12:58The castle is just ten minutes' flying time from Sheffield Children's Hospital,
0:12:58 > 0:13:00but there's no time to waste.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04Legally, Helimed 98 must be on the ground half an hour after sunset.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06Hi, it's James on Helimed 98.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10Can I have Resus, please, assessment of an eight-year-old male?
0:13:10 > 0:13:15Been hit by a large sort of van, pinned for approximately two to three minutes.
0:13:15 > 0:13:21For the paramedics, there's relief that Ben will soon be receiving the treatment he needs.
0:13:21 > 0:13:27Looking after a child with trauma is among the most difficult tasks an ambulance crew can face.
0:13:27 > 0:13:32With children, they can very quickly deteriorate.
0:13:32 > 0:13:37We were quite happy with him. He was a brave lad. He's got quite a high pain threshold as well.
0:13:37 > 0:13:43By the time Helimed 98 reaches Sheffield Children's Hospital, darkness is falling.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47But the important thing is Ben is now only minutes from treatment.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50Grab a bit. Thank you. Ready, one, two, three.
0:13:50 > 0:13:55It's the beginning of a long night for Ben and his mum as he is scanned and X-rayed.
0:13:55 > 0:14:02Despite being crushed by a three-tonne truck, his injuries turn out to be relatively minor.
0:14:04 > 0:14:10But summer has given way to winter before he's well enough to come and thank his rescuers.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14I was walking with my daughter Scarlett and Ben was behind us.
0:14:14 > 0:14:20We just heard a bang, so we turned round and I just saw this van and wondered what was happening.
0:14:20 > 0:14:26Then I realised that Ben was in front of the van and it was pinning him to the wall.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30The Air Ambulance people were fantastic. James was just fantastic.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32It's a bit surreal to come back.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36It just feels really strange thinking about it again,
0:14:36 > 0:14:39but it's fantastic to meet James and the rest of them
0:14:39 > 0:14:45and to say thank you to him, to meet him and speak to him and for Ben to see him as well.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49- It's been really good. Have you enjoyed seeing James again?- Yeah.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59Let's return to the rescue operation in Richmond, North Yorkshire.
0:14:59 > 0:15:04The Helimed team are struggling to deal with the casualties of a serious road accident.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08The cycling club outing had barely started when this happened.
0:15:08 > 0:15:13Three riders are seriously injured after a collision involving a car and trailer.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16At least two people were knocked off,
0:15:16 > 0:15:21then the process of them being knocked off caused several other people to go down.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25You don't think about it because it's happening so quickly.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28You're thinking tons of thoughts all at once.
0:15:28 > 0:15:33First, you're trying to not fall off yourself, then you don't want to run into anyone else.
0:15:33 > 0:15:38Once you start seeing debris on the road, you want to go and help them.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40It's pretty horrific.
0:15:40 > 0:15:46Me and another guy chased off after the guy who knocked us off and we were trying to flag him down,
0:15:46 > 0:15:51but obviously, we couldn't catch him and he's gone and we can't find him.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55But he left behind three seriously injured patients.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58Chris Snape has now had his fractured pelvis secured,
0:15:58 > 0:16:04but paramedic Ben Anderson is worried about another cyclist who was knocked out in the crash.
0:16:04 > 0:16:10- I think it's this side of his head.- No problem.- This is where the crack is. At the back.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13- You keep that hand...- Yeah. - Just lightly at it.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15Ben fears his neck may be broken.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21Lovely. Now clamp that hand back on without holding the strap.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24If so, the slightest movement could be fatal.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Your helmet's coming off, champ.
0:16:27 > 0:16:33Although his helmet took the force of the impact, this injury could still have damaged his brain.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36Let's have a quick feel of your head.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40A doctor and paramedic from the Great North Air Ambulance have now arrived
0:16:40 > 0:16:44and they'll be flying him for an urgent scan in hospital.
0:16:44 > 0:16:50This guy here has been KO'd. He has been fully conscious, GCS 15 since we got there.
0:16:50 > 0:16:55Not complaining of any particular pain, but we've not had a chance to collar and board him.
0:16:55 > 0:17:01The guy up here was complaining of right hip pain which they were querying pelvis.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04He's got a nice road rash round the right hip.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08This guy we think has got a pelvic. We've just put a pelvic splint on.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12Just dosing him up with morphine and then we'll be off.
0:17:12 > 0:17:17So with the other cyclists now being taken care of, Pete and Ben now concentrate on Chris
0:17:17 > 0:17:19whose pain is getting worse.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23- GROANS Chris, where's that pain?- My hip.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26Still your hip? Which side?
0:17:28 > 0:17:30That right side?
0:17:31 > 0:17:34OK, guys, ready, steady and lift.
0:17:34 > 0:17:39Basically, we've tried to take who we think is the most seriously injured.
0:17:39 > 0:17:44Our patient here, we're suspecting he's got a possible pelvic fracture.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46We'll take ours to James Cook.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49I'm almost certain that the Great North Air Ambulance
0:17:49 > 0:17:54will come to James Cook as well, so we'll make a hasty landing and move.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56They'll follow us up in ten minutes.
0:17:56 > 0:18:01Nearly there, Chris. Doing well, Chris. Ben! How much morph have we had? 10?
0:18:01 > 0:18:04CHRIS GROANS Draw us another 10 up!
0:18:04 > 0:18:08The strongest painkiller paramedics can give is morphine
0:18:08 > 0:18:12and Chris has now been given 20 milligrams, the maximum dose,
0:18:12 > 0:18:14yet he's still in agony.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17It's almost certainly a pelvic injury.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21It's taken quite a bit of pain relief to get on top of his issues,
0:18:21 > 0:18:26so it'll just be a case of getting him flown straight in to James Cook,
0:18:26 > 0:18:32getting him to a trauma centre and get them to X-ray him and find out the extent of his injuries.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35- Give us your arm, champ. - Pop that on there.
0:18:36 > 0:18:41Right, just bring your arm round for me. I'm just going to top you up with some more.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45I'm cutting your coat, all right? It's knackered.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49- Are you happy for me to cut your top?- He's already cut my arm.
0:18:50 > 0:18:55This small Yorkshire Dales field has now become a makeshift helipad
0:18:55 > 0:19:00and soon both of these air ambulances will be heading to the same hospital.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03The closest hospital is James Cook, so we'll both go there.
0:19:06 > 0:19:11Coming up - the hospital is under pressure as the first victims of the crash arrive
0:19:11 > 0:19:14and doctors begin their treatment.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17He'll have some X-rays as soon as we get into A&E.
0:19:25 > 0:19:31Remember the girl who was trapped in the chilly waters of the River Wharfe during a family day out?
0:19:31 > 0:19:33Let's catch up on her case.
0:19:33 > 0:19:39Ten-year-old Bronte Polvani was paddling with her cousins on a day by the river
0:19:39 > 0:19:43when a lost ball led her into deep water.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48Now she's at the centre of a tricky rescue operation to prevent her being swept downstream
0:19:48 > 0:19:51into lethal whirlpools.
0:19:51 > 0:19:57- That ledge, Phil, that you can see running out to her...- Yeah.- It drops off into a deep pool.- Right.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01So the best bet is to go out and grab her and just...
0:20:01 > 0:20:04I don't think we can cinch her from there.
0:20:04 > 0:20:09A specialist fire brigade rescue team has just arrived at the scene of Bronte's accident,
0:20:09 > 0:20:14a beauty spot on the River Wharfe near Bolton Abbey in Yorkshire.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18We come here quite often for people that get injured in this river
0:20:18 > 0:20:22or they get stuck or they unfortunately end up as a fatality.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26It seems to claim a few lives over the years.
0:20:26 > 0:20:32- Put a line on my back, Andy. I'll go out and grab her and pull her in. - Are you happy with that?- Yeah.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34Stick that handle through there.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37Fast-flowing water is lethal.
0:20:37 > 0:20:43The firefighters' precautions may look excessive, but this is a dangerous place.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47Eventually, one of the rescuers makes a grab for Bronte.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05And she's safe. She's been in the water for almost an hour.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07Now the Helimed team takes over.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11They're worried she may have hypothermia after her ordeal.
0:21:11 > 0:21:17- Come on, sweetheart. Let's get you stripped off and dried out. What's your name?- Bronte.- Bronte.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19Bronte, I'm Kate.
0:21:19 > 0:21:25It seems to lure people in, but with any stream or river or anything like that,
0:21:25 > 0:21:30you've got to be so careful with the undercurrents. It can be tragic if you don't.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33Let's get these shoes off.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36How many knots have you got in these shoes then?
0:21:36 > 0:21:38- One or two.- Are you all right?
0:21:38 > 0:21:42How did you end up in there, sweetheart?
0:21:42 > 0:21:45I tried to get across.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49Oh, dear. Right, my love. Just slip your feet out of these.
0:21:49 > 0:21:54Right, what I'm going to do is put this blanket up in front of you
0:21:54 > 0:21:58and get your clothes off, sweetie. Just take your t-shirt.
0:21:58 > 0:22:03For the passers-by who raised the alarm, it's a moment of relief.
0:22:03 > 0:22:09People don't realise how dangerous it is and they come down, go for a swim, go in on the grass,
0:22:09 > 0:22:12and there's so many people have been drowned now.
0:22:12 > 0:22:17Bronte's mum could only stand and watch the drama from the other side,
0:22:17 > 0:22:23but her sister Jill played a vital role making sure she did not give up her grip on the rock
0:22:23 > 0:22:25that saved her life.
0:22:25 > 0:22:30I tried to get her out, but I couldn't because of the current.
0:22:30 > 0:22:35I just wanted to stay with her until...until the help came.
0:22:35 > 0:22:42But me and my son had already been in the river. They tried to cross and got stuck downstream.
0:22:42 > 0:22:48Pretty straightforward as water rescues go. We grabbed the young lady from behind, under her arms,
0:22:48 > 0:22:52and then just got her to the side.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56Bronte's going to hospital by road for a routine check-up,
0:22:56 > 0:23:02but everyone's relieved she survived a river that has claimed many lives like hers in the past.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05They took her to hospital in the ambulance,
0:23:05 > 0:23:08checked her over and she was fine.
0:23:08 > 0:23:13She made a quick recovery. We were all just a bit in shock.
0:23:13 > 0:23:18Bronte especially. It's an awful thing to have happened, but we're just so thankful
0:23:18 > 0:23:21that it came out the way it did.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26This is the first time the family's returned to the River Wharfe.
0:23:26 > 0:23:32Bronte's none the worse for her narrow escape, but she was overwhelmed
0:23:32 > 0:23:36by the scale of the response to her plight.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40I felt quite embarrassed because I only needed a rope to pull me out
0:23:40 > 0:23:43and then all this thing came,
0:23:43 > 0:23:48but when they came, it took a while for them to set up and stuff.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52But they did help me.
0:23:52 > 0:23:57But her mother's keen for others to know the dangers of this unpredictable river.
0:23:57 > 0:24:04Further downstream, there's the stepping stones where they are in and out of the water quite safely,
0:24:04 > 0:24:10just a couple of hundred metres upstream. But that's just one part of the river.
0:24:10 > 0:24:18There had been heavy rainfall so the current was really strong and it took your foot away.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22You just can't predict and it does make you so much more cautious.
0:24:33 > 0:24:39It's the most dramatic parts of the British landscape that tend to attract the most adventurous people.
0:24:39 > 0:24:44The Three Peaks in Yorkshire are a magnet for hardcore walkers, cavers and climbers.
0:24:44 > 0:24:50And the really tough ones are here to tackle a gruelling marathon in the sky.
0:24:50 > 0:24:55The Three Peaks Walk leaves the average walker weak at the knees -
0:24:55 > 0:25:0225 miles across rough terrain, including a climb up three fells that totals 7,000 feet.
0:25:02 > 0:25:09We're just having to sign in at the cafe here, which gives us a start time for the walk.
0:25:09 > 0:25:16Today Helimed pilot Steve Cobb and paramedic Lee Davison are taking it on for charity.
0:25:16 > 0:25:22I've had problem with a knee in training, so I hope I get round. I'll probably do two of them.
0:25:22 > 0:25:27I've placed my car halfway round so I can jump in that and walk back.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29Bye!
0:25:29 > 0:25:35Steve's more used to seeing the peaks from this angle and this is a familiar landscape.
0:25:35 > 0:25:42The combination of rugged terrain, thousands of visitors and long distances to the nearest hospitals
0:25:42 > 0:25:45mean the choppers are often called here.
0:25:45 > 0:25:51These hills are carved out of limestone. It makes for a terrain that is unforgiving on your feet
0:25:51 > 0:25:57and treacherous if you lose balance, as the Helimed team know only too well.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02Many a Three Peaks trek has ended in a 999 call
0:26:02 > 0:26:06and today's case follows a familiar pattern.
0:26:06 > 0:26:13Quite often you get people who get into bother because it's a thing people do as a challenge.
0:26:13 > 0:26:19- It'll be the hardest thing they've done.- It's quite off the beaten track from the nearest road
0:26:19 > 0:26:21that a land ambulance could get to.
0:26:21 > 0:26:27The accident is close to the summit of Ingleborough, second-highest mountain in Yorkshire.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31Helimed 99, we've got an ETA of about 2 minutes. Over.
0:26:31 > 0:26:36'Roger that. We should have smoke onsite for you, over.'
0:26:37 > 0:26:39Yeah, there's smoke.
0:26:39 > 0:26:46It can get extremely windy up here, but pilot Steve Cobb manages to land just a short walk away
0:26:46 > 0:26:48from the Cave Rescue Team.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51You all right? Trouble?
0:26:53 > 0:26:56Hello. You're on CrimeWatch UK again.
0:26:56 > 0:27:01- I was with the dogs up there. - Were you?- Tony, this is Sue.
0:27:01 > 0:27:06- Sue.- Sue's been walking out here, she's tripped up where this dips.
0:27:06 > 0:27:12I think she's tripped here, gone over and hit her sternum and her chest on this corner.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15If we just have a quick look...
0:27:15 > 0:27:22Many people attempting to take on these intimidating peaks are not full prepared,
0:27:22 > 0:27:26but for Sue Manley and partner Ian, today wasn't out of the ordinary.
0:27:26 > 0:27:33In locations like this, even the most experienced hillwalker is only one misplaced step from disaster.
0:27:33 > 0:27:39We'd climbed Ingleborough and were coming down this side, come down the waterfall,
0:27:39 > 0:27:43got to the flagstones. I was a little bit in front.
0:27:43 > 0:27:49And I heard Sue cry out and she'd tripped over one of the flagstones
0:27:49 > 0:27:53and she'd banged all her face and possible damage to her sternum.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56Obviously very shaken up.
0:27:56 > 0:28:01- Have you been in a helicopter before?- Only on a sightseeing tour.
0:28:01 > 0:28:07Well, there's some nice scenery for you here. OK?
0:28:07 > 0:28:11Sue hit the stone with some force. She's knocked out a tooth.
0:28:11 > 0:28:17One of the rangers was out and he heard the commotion, so we've had brilliant assistance
0:28:17 > 0:28:23- from everybody, really.- Despite being a sunny day, shock and wind chill are taking hold of Sue.
0:28:23 > 0:28:29Without the air ambulance, hospital care would still be over an hour away.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31Just lift her up, feed it on.
0:28:31 > 0:28:35The flight to Blackburn Hospital will take around 15 minutes.
0:28:35 > 0:28:42Unfortunately, Sue is laying flat on her back, so she'll miss an aerial view of breathtaking scenery.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46It looks like you've had a thump on your chest as you've gone down.
0:28:46 > 0:28:54Doctors at Blackburn Hospital examine Sue - no broken bones, but she damaged nerves in her face.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58It'll be an excellent Christmas video, though!
0:28:58 > 0:29:04Back on the charity walk, the Helimed team ramblers are already wishing for an airlift!
0:29:04 > 0:29:09The forbidding slopes of Pen-Y-Ghent are more than half a mile high.
0:29:09 > 0:29:16I'm glad that I'm doing it. I know what people are going through when they're aching and exhausted
0:29:16 > 0:29:21or have an injury. I can tell why they've sustained that. It's so easy to do.
0:29:21 > 0:29:28Even if you're well equipped like these guys, you can easily fall victim to an accident up here.
0:29:28 > 0:29:33Yorkshire's hills are home to hundreds of the UK's best climbers.
0:29:33 > 0:29:38Men and women who have conquered K2 and Everest learnt their skills right here.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42But many a training trek has ended in disaster.
0:29:44 > 0:29:50In winter it gets pretty bleak around here, so you've got to have good reason to take to these hills.
0:29:50 > 0:29:56The high land as we get closer goes as high as 2,277.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58- That's quite a big hill.- Yeah.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04- I suspect we'll be going round it. - It's February.
0:30:04 > 0:30:10Walker Lindsey Ducker has fallen while attempting to complete the Three Peaks Challenge.
0:30:10 > 0:30:15- What are these people waving at? - Where are we looking?
0:30:15 > 0:30:17- In there.- Yeah.
0:30:17 > 0:30:23The Three Peaks trek is often used by hikers training for even bigger challenges
0:30:23 > 0:30:27- and Lindsey is training for the biggest of them all.- Hello, hi.
0:30:27 > 0:30:31- Right ankle.- OK, no problem. Stay still, you're OK.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34Just explain what's happened.
0:30:34 > 0:30:40- Lindsey and I are climbing to Everest Base Camp in a month. - Assuming she's OK.- Yeah!
0:30:40 > 0:30:42It was part of our training.
0:30:42 > 0:30:47You'll be coming with us to come off the hill. All right?
0:30:47 > 0:30:51I saw her knee jerk in a weird way, which made me quite scared.
0:30:51 > 0:30:55Ankles are one thing, but knees are another.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57Just keep going on it, OK?
0:30:57 > 0:31:00Just keep your foot still.
0:31:00 > 0:31:04It looks like her ankle may be fractured. If this is the case,
0:31:04 > 0:31:09it's unlikely she'll be able to even attempt the Everest Base Camp trek.
0:31:09 > 0:31:13It may not just be today's adventure which is cut short.
0:31:13 > 0:31:19Lindsey is flown to Lancaster Hospital. Her ankle was X-rayed and, although there were no fractures,
0:31:19 > 0:31:25damaged tendons meant it was impossible for her to take on the trek to Everest base Camp.
0:31:26 > 0:31:32A week later and Lindsey is back at home. For now her dream is out of reach,
0:31:32 > 0:31:37but she has vowed that she'll complete the trek.
0:31:37 > 0:31:41There's only two windows every year that you can actually do the climb,
0:31:41 > 0:31:46when it's safest and the weather is as settled as it is.
0:31:46 > 0:31:53So this window will be gone now. The next one will be later in the year or the year after.
0:31:55 > 0:32:00The Ribble Head viaduct is the Three Peaks' biggest man-made landmark
0:32:00 > 0:32:04and a welcome sight for the Helimed charity walkers.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07They've reached the halfway mark.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11From this point it's OK for me. The knee's fine.
0:32:11 > 0:32:16Getting down will be interesting, but I've got a zig-zag technique.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20- It may take me a bit longer, but I'll do it.- Still going strong!
0:32:20 > 0:32:26Built by the Victorians, this was the first high-speed route through the north's most rugged landscape.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32Few counties are as well divided as Yorkshire and Lancashire.
0:32:32 > 0:32:38Only one motorway crosses the Pennines and many roads follow the winding routes through the Peaks
0:32:38 > 0:32:43that were first beaten out by pack horses many centuries ago.
0:32:43 > 0:32:48They present serious problems to local paramedics.
0:32:48 > 0:32:53Getting anywhere around here in a hurry is hard work,
0:32:53 > 0:32:59but some people love these twisting lanes. For bikers, a sunny day on these roads is as good as it gets,
0:32:59 > 0:33:05but when things go wrong, the Helimed team are called in to pick up the pieces.
0:33:05 > 0:33:10Today, 48-year-old biker Michael Chamley has been involved in a spectacular accident.
0:33:10 > 0:33:15- Hello, chief.- Michael skidded on a bridge and catapulted over a wall
0:33:15 > 0:33:18before landing in a stream.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21Now then, boss, what's that breathing like?
0:33:21 > 0:33:24Getting better, but it's hurting.
0:33:24 > 0:33:31- Have you had a listen at his chest? - Hardly any air entry at all. - Hardly any at all?
0:33:31 > 0:33:34He's got pain in his left shoulder.
0:33:34 > 0:33:40- He was out with a group of friends when it happened.- I came round the corner and saw his bike in the road.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43And found Cham over the wall.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46Take a deep breath for me.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50Michael has broken ribs. He's struggling to breath.
0:33:50 > 0:33:56Paramedics are trained to look at an accident scene and assess the forces involved.
0:33:56 > 0:34:01With a landing like this, the possibility of spinal damage is huge.
0:34:01 > 0:34:07Michael has removed his helmet and is sitting upright. He must be immobilised as quickly as possible.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10You've got a neck like a stovepipe.
0:34:10 > 0:34:17Michael has been a biker for over 30 years, but even experienced riders can get caught out.
0:34:17 > 0:34:24- No pain at all in your back?- No. - Just pain in your arms and legs? - And his side.- Which side?
0:34:24 > 0:34:26On your shoulder?
0:34:26 > 0:34:31- Yeah. - That's where you landed, mate. So we've found out what you landed on.
0:34:31 > 0:34:36Getting Michael to the helicopter needs a team effort.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38I'd like a lift back, lads.
0:34:38 > 0:34:44With the help of passing bikers and local police officers, he's loaded into Helimed 99.
0:34:45 > 0:34:47Keep spinning.
0:34:49 > 0:34:51Well done, guys.
0:34:51 > 0:34:57As the chopper takes off, it's the second time today Michael's been airborne.
0:34:57 > 0:35:03Thanks to pilot Steve Cobb, his next landing will be somewhat gentler at Blackburn Hospital.
0:35:06 > 0:35:12A week later and Michael is still in hospital. A full recovery is a long way away.
0:35:12 > 0:35:17Michael has been left with a broken collarbone and nine broken ribs.
0:35:17 > 0:35:24The back tyre skidded as I went towards the bridge. I lost control and scraped down the bridge
0:35:24 > 0:35:31and next thing I know I remember flying through the air and landing. I couldn't breathe.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35Within a few minutes, they were coming.
0:35:42 > 0:35:46Steve and Lee are more than halfway through their charity trek.
0:35:46 > 0:35:51Several people have fallen by the wayside, but they are made of sterner stuff.
0:35:51 > 0:35:56We're up now. Just a two and a half hour stroll back down again.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59Legs feel like lead.
0:35:59 > 0:36:0725 miles is enough for most people, but the Three Peaks are also on the route of a mountain bike challenge,
0:36:07 > 0:36:13the Coast To Coast route. Coming off your bike on terrain like this can be very serious.
0:36:14 > 0:36:2065-year-old David Ballard was just coming to the end of the first day of his Coast To coast challenge
0:36:20 > 0:36:26when he lost control of his bike, crashing headfirst into a dry stone wall.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30- Is he a cyclist? - It came in as a cyclist, yeah.
0:36:30 > 0:36:35OK, get the far side of that and we'll be pretty close, I think.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37OK, yeah.
0:36:37 > 0:36:43By road, the nearest hospital could be almost an hour away, so the helicopter is critical
0:36:43 > 0:36:50in places like this. But to get to his patient, Pete Vallance first faces his own dales challenge.
0:36:53 > 0:36:57He's been coming downhill, no helmet, peripheral vision.
0:36:57 > 0:37:03He's not seen a rock in the road. He's hit the rock and he's come off his bike
0:37:03 > 0:37:05and hit a stone wall.
0:37:05 > 0:37:09His front wheel hit quite a big stone and he fell off.
0:37:09 > 0:37:14And he said that his left shoulder hit the wall,
0:37:14 > 0:37:18but when the driver who gave me a lift got to him,
0:37:18 > 0:37:22he was crawling about on the road with blood pouring out of his head.
0:37:22 > 0:37:29David wasn't wearing a helmet, so crashing at high speed into the wall could cause a serious head injury.
0:37:29 > 0:37:31Ready, steady, roll.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36Just ease it down now, yeah? Ease it down like that.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40The wall David crashed into is still causing him problems.
0:37:40 > 0:37:47It's now in the way between him and the helicopter, so Steve Cobb makes one of his shortest flights.
0:37:47 > 0:37:54We were in the field next to the incident, but there was no access apart from climbing over the wall,
0:37:54 > 0:37:58which is not the best, really, so I relocated onto the road
0:37:58 > 0:38:03with the help of Dave to check out that the police closed the road.
0:38:03 > 0:38:05Ready, steady, up.
0:38:06 > 0:38:12- I only weigh 75 kilos. - Yeah, we'd be leaving you down there if you were too heavy!
0:38:12 > 0:38:16The guy's been doing coast-to-coast bike riding.
0:38:16 > 0:38:22He's got about 40 miles in today. He wasn't wearing a helmet and he's come off at speed.
0:38:24 > 0:38:29In minutes, David's landed at Blackburn Hospital and, amazingly,
0:38:29 > 0:38:33it seems he's avoided any serious injury.
0:38:33 > 0:38:38- Have you always been adventurous? - Yeah.- It's not recent?- No, no.
0:38:38 > 0:38:44- I've got a trip planned to Tibet in six weeks.- And he's determined to have another go at this challenge,
0:38:44 > 0:38:49only next time he says he will be wearing a helmet.
0:38:59 > 0:39:03At last, the Helimed fundraisers are on the home straight.
0:39:03 > 0:39:07More than eight hours after setting off, they approach the end.
0:39:07 > 0:39:12Ten hours plus. Very tired. That last bit was hard, going downhill.
0:39:12 > 0:39:16But I did it. Got my certificate.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19It's been a great day, enjoyable.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21And all for a good cause.
0:39:22 > 0:39:28The irresistible challenge of the Three Peaks. I'm pleased to say all our patients are recovering well.
0:39:28 > 0:39:35Now let's get back to the case of the cyclists badly injured in that serious accident in Richmond.
0:39:37 > 0:39:42A serious crash in the Dales has left three cyclists badly injured.
0:39:42 > 0:39:49Two helicopters and an ambulance are now on their way to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough.
0:39:49 > 0:39:56Tim's landed right on the edge of the helipad. He knows his won't be the only helicopter here.
0:39:59 > 0:40:05Nice and steady. Those deep breaths are good, but too quick and you'll go really dizzy.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07That's it.
0:40:07 > 0:40:13With Chris, injury-wise, he looks to have an isolated injury around his pelvis.
0:40:13 > 0:40:19He's in a great deal of pain. He's had a full 20ml of morphine along with Entonox.
0:40:19 > 0:40:27He's still in considerable pain, so we'll be able to get him sorted shortly and find the cause of it.
0:40:29 > 0:40:34But this is about to become a very busy A&E department.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40One of the other cyclists is also now arriving by air,
0:40:40 > 0:40:45squeezing onto the same helipad as Helimed 98.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51He'll now be joining Chris in A&E,
0:40:51 > 0:40:55along with a third cyclist who's arriving here by road.
0:40:55 > 0:41:00Clearly, it's been a massive job for all these emergency teams.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05It could have been a lot worse. We've seen incidents before
0:41:05 > 0:41:12where people get knocked off their bikes. Luckily, they all had the right gear on, protective equipment,
0:41:12 > 0:41:14so hopefully they won't be too bad.
0:41:14 > 0:41:20It's a bit alarming when you get on scene and see that many people sprayed across the road.
0:41:22 > 0:41:28For Chris, it's been a painful few weeks. After several operations,
0:41:28 > 0:41:32his pelvis is now being supported by a special weighted splint
0:41:32 > 0:41:36and the accident is still a vivid memory.
0:41:36 > 0:41:42I just ended up with two bikes and Geoff in front of me. "How do I get out of this?"
0:41:42 > 0:41:46I just ended up suddenly being vertically up in the air.
0:41:46 > 0:41:53I was still attached to my bike and I remember looking down, thinking, "This'll hurt when I hit the ground."
0:41:53 > 0:41:56And, sure enough, it did.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00But his friends have helped his recovery, especially these two.
0:42:00 > 0:42:07Dave and Geoff were the other cyclists hurt in the crash, but now they're well on the mend.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09- How are you?- Not so bad.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13'As I slid down the road, I could see behind me Chris'
0:42:13 > 0:42:18and it was Mike Boyd heading towards my bike.
0:42:18 > 0:42:22I thought, "That'll bring somebody down."
0:42:22 > 0:42:29And then in the next period of time I somehow spun round and could see the pick-up truck and trailer
0:42:29 > 0:42:32disappearing round the corner.
0:42:32 > 0:42:38First thing I heard was Chris screaming. It was not very nice to hear that.
0:42:38 > 0:42:43I looked up the road and saw Geoff facing me.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46'Looking round, it was chaos.'
0:42:46 > 0:42:51And it's a crash that has brought them closer together.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55- There's something in the genes about cyclists.- Geoff's had a few crashes.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58It's a habit, isn't it?
0:42:59 > 0:43:04I'm pleased to say they haven't let the accident put them off their sport.
0:43:04 > 0:43:09They're determined to be back in the saddle by next spring.
0:43:18 > 0:43:22Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd - 2011
0:43:23 > 0:43:25Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk