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 > 0:00:12Complaining of severe pain.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14Mid 30s. Been ejected from 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 > 0:00:22Yeah, Roger, Helimed 99's on route to you. Over.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25The Yorkshire Air Ambulance and its highly trained paramedics
0:00:25 > 0:00:27are scrambled 1,000 times a year.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29'Tell me exactly what's happened.'
0:00:29 > 0:00:32'A child was on the path. A wagon cut the corner and ran over him.'
0:00:32 > 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 one here is.
0:00:39 > 0:00:44Welcome 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 canoe overturns in white water
0:01:09 > 0:01:13- and a young woman is feared badly hurt.- She got bounced out and hit her back off a rock.
0:01:13 > 0:01:18The lucky biker whose accident was witnessed by a fully-trained fire crew.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20Possibly she's done her pelvis.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24It's harvest time, and a crushed farm worker could have lain all night...
0:01:24 > 0:01:27if it hadn't been for this text.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30The guy was still baling in the fields when he found him.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34And paramedic Darren drops in on a couple whose caravanning holiday ended in a dramatic crash.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38You've been rolled around in here like a tumble dryer, mate.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47It's easy to forget the power of water.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49Even a river barely up to your knees
0:01:49 > 0:01:52has the force to sweep you off your feet.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54But some people find their thrills
0:01:54 > 0:01:58taking on the awesome power of white water.
0:01:58 > 0:02:03'The latest note says, "Patient is still in the water...
0:02:03 > 0:02:05' "has a back injury...
0:02:05 > 0:02:07' "..was canoeing." '
0:02:07 > 0:02:12Engineers transferring millions of gallons of water from one reservoir to another...
0:02:12 > 0:02:16have created man-made rapids in River Washburn near Harrogate...
0:02:16 > 0:02:19and a white-water raft has overturned.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22The fact that we know they've got a back injury would tell us
0:02:22 > 0:02:23that they're conscious,
0:02:23 > 0:02:26and I would imagine that they're in the shallow water,
0:02:26 > 0:02:28and people don't want to move them
0:02:28 > 0:02:30cos of the potential of worsening the back injury.
0:02:30 > 0:02:3420-year-old canoeist, Rebecca Lee, is in a bad way.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37She was swept 200 metres downstream.
0:02:37 > 0:02:38She's hurt her back,
0:02:38 > 0:02:41and it's feared she may have damaged her spine on a rock.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46We are with a guide who's gone down in her white-water raft.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49So we stopped, obviously, pulled everything up.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53We see she's got a problem and then try to get somebody to go up the hill to...
0:02:53 > 0:02:54..get a signal.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56Clearly, you can't get here by road,
0:02:56 > 0:02:59and we made a clearing over there for air ambulance to stop.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04We carry a life jacket. It's part of the aircraft kit.
0:03:04 > 0:03:10We're only trained how to use rescue lines by the fire services down Yorkshire which is...
0:03:10 > 0:03:15it's going to be a massive benefit should we be on scene in an isolated location.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19We're just over grid...now.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22Difficult to spot them. We'll double back on ourselves.
0:03:22 > 0:03:23- You got it?- It's down here, yeah.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30- You see where the stream's spread out?- Yep.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33It's good they're waving their paddles at you.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36It'll be a tricky landing for pilot Tim Taylor.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39The radar has about nine inches. There's no landing.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42Where you sticking it, Tim? Down here?
0:03:42 > 0:03:45- The next clearing, the people with paddles. - They're waving at us.
0:03:45 > 0:03:51Oh, yeah. Got it. You're about ten metres away from them.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53We're going to land.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55Go down there, should be fine, mate.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58You've got one branch coming out this side, Tim, and you're all clear.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01That guy has moved out to the right.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03All clear my side.
0:04:03 > 0:04:04He's laid down with his paddle.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06All clear, still.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08But at last, they're down.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11I've put us down, mate. You can start climbing out.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13She was in a two-man kayak,
0:04:13 > 0:04:15she got bounced out and hit her back off a rock.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18Her lower back. She's in severe shock,
0:04:18 > 0:04:21- so we're trying to keep her awake. - How long she been in there now?
0:04:21 > 0:04:22Now it's 45 minutes.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28Hi, there, we believe she has come into contact with a rock on her back, is that right?
0:04:28 > 0:04:32Yes, she came out further upstream, then she floated down on her back.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34Then the rock's hit her on the back.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37She's only complaining of pain in her lower back, nowhere else.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39She can wiggle her feet.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42- No problem. Conscious throughout? - Conscious throughout.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44- Normally fit and well? - Normally fit and well.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47Rebecca, without moving your head, sweetheart,
0:04:47 > 0:04:50I know you've been there a while, but what we need to do
0:04:50 > 0:04:51is make sure we get you out safely,
0:04:51 > 0:04:54particularly because you've hurt your back, all right?
0:04:54 > 0:04:57Once we get you out, we'll try to get you as warm as we can.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01Pete knows there's a very high chance Rebecca has damaged her spine,
0:05:01 > 0:05:06an injury that could lead to a lifelong disability.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08She's been very brave, she has been calm
0:05:08 > 0:05:11and people have kept her talking, that's the main thing.
0:05:11 > 0:05:12Hopefully she'll be OK.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16Paramedics often have to balance conflicting priorities -
0:05:16 > 0:05:20moving Rebecca quickly could worsen a spinal injury
0:05:20 > 0:05:24but leaving her in the water could lead to hypothermia.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28She's been in the water for 45 minutes, so we're going to be hypothermic, aren't we?
0:05:28 > 0:05:32I think so. That would be the best option, won't it?
0:05:32 > 0:05:34Ask him to bring sleeping bags.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37Pete's decided to move Rebecca,
0:05:37 > 0:05:40using her friends to protect her neck and back.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43When we get you out, there will be someone holding your head
0:05:43 > 0:05:46and we'll to try to bring you out in a controlled manner.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48- Your head hurts?- Yeah. My back.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51Your back, we know. We know it hurts.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54Where you are at the moment, we can't give you anything for the pain
0:05:54 > 0:05:58until we get you out a little bit, all right? We'll move you as gently as we can.
0:05:58 > 0:06:05But it's a risk and one mistake could leave the team's patient in a wheelchair.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19Getting first aid within 10 minutes of your accident
0:06:19 > 0:06:23means a massive difference in your chances of recovery
0:06:23 > 0:06:29but sometimes you can get injured in the right place at just the right time.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Biker Kate Stead's just had a serious accident on her bike.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39But she couldn't have chosen a better place to have it,
0:06:39 > 0:06:41right in front of a team of firefighters
0:06:41 > 0:06:46with advanced first aid skills and the technology to call in Helimed 99.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54The fire crew were on their way to a minor blaze
0:06:54 > 0:06:58when they came across the accident. Kate is badly hurt.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02Broken femur. Open...ankle.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05- Open ankle as well. - Yes, a fractured ankle.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11The fire crew have done a great job.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14We saw the commotion,
0:07:14 > 0:07:19some lads ran off down the road and this is what we found.
0:07:19 > 0:07:25She was catapulted through the air after her bike collided with a parked car, then hit a van.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28Kate flew 20 feet before hitting the ground.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32She has a serious open leg fracture and is losing blood.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35She's done her femur, looks like a mid-shaft femur
0:07:35 > 0:07:38and its possible she's done her pelvis, it's hard to say
0:07:38 > 0:07:41but I think it has, by the way it has splayed out.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44Now paramedics Tony Wilks and Lee Gray are on the case,
0:07:44 > 0:07:48they know the bleeding could threaten Kate's life.
0:07:48 > 0:07:49She needs hospital care quickly.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- I gave her ten milligrams of morphine.- She's had ten?- She has.
0:07:53 > 0:07:59As well as the fire brigade, ground paramedics have been making the Helimed team's job easy.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03They've printed off Kate's heart trace and even taken photographs of the car she hit.
0:08:03 > 0:08:08- These guys here have taken a picture of the car she hit.- Smashing.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12This kind of information can be vital to surgeons trying to work out
0:08:12 > 0:08:15how injuries were inflicted and how best to treat them.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18We're from the air ambulance, all right?
0:08:18 > 0:08:20Have you any pain in your hips at all?
0:08:20 > 0:08:22No, just my leg.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25Just in case you have hurt your hip,
0:08:25 > 0:08:30we're going to put a strap around to secure it and then put you onto a board
0:08:30 > 0:08:33so we can get you on to the helicopter, all right?
0:08:33 > 0:08:35If you're in any pain, let us know.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38She's actually got an open fracture of her right ankle,
0:08:38 > 0:08:40which obviously spells trouble for infection
0:08:40 > 0:08:43and complications post-incident.
0:08:43 > 0:08:4615% of the UK's bikes are ridden by women
0:08:46 > 0:08:50and they're among the fastest growing groups of road casualties.
0:08:50 > 0:08:56But female riders are still statistically less likely to have a crash in the first place.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59I'm going to give you some morphine now.
0:08:59 > 0:09:05Can we give you some of this gas and air? We're going to bring your right leg towards your left leg.
0:09:05 > 0:09:11So, have some nice deep breaths of that for us, that's it.
0:09:11 > 0:09:16Tony and Lee want to prevent broken bones damaging nerves and blood vessels.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19They're immobilising Kate's pelvis.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23Tony's just put a pelvic splint in, because if there is a fracture there,
0:09:23 > 0:09:26that could lose a lot of blood through that fracture.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30Fortunately, her chest's been OK but we do think she has been knocked out as well.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36The accident happened near the market town of Selby.
0:09:36 > 0:09:41Kate's going to be flown to the nearest major hospital, Pinderfields near Wakefield.
0:09:41 > 0:09:46But her injuries are serious and her recovery could be long and painful.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58Working alone is a risky business but sometimes it's inevitable,
0:09:58 > 0:10:01especially in the rural farmland of North Yorkshire.
0:10:01 > 0:10:07But when something goes wrong, you have to be creative when it comes to getting help.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13The rolling hills of Yorkshire help keep Britain's bakers in business.
0:10:13 > 0:10:18When it's harvest time, the combines work round the clock, bringing in the grain.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20It's long hours and hard work for farm workers
0:10:20 > 0:10:26but in a cornfield on the edge of the North York Moors, there's been a serious accident.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29A man has been crushed by a hay bale.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31Apparently it weighs over 400 kilograms,
0:10:31 > 0:10:33so he's in quite a lot of pain.
0:10:33 > 0:10:39Helimed 99 is racing East, heading for a hay field near the market town of Helmsley.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43He would have sustained some nasty injuries, being under a weight that heavy.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46But there's an ambulance crew on scene.
0:10:46 > 0:10:51They're having problems with access to this patient because he's at the farm, he's out in a field
0:10:51 > 0:10:54and we need to go and assist them and get this patient off to hospital.
0:10:54 > 0:10:59Workers on Mark Wainwright's farm had almost finished for the day
0:10:59 > 0:11:02when the boss received this text for help.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05I knew where he was working, the guy was still baling in the fields
0:11:05 > 0:11:07and Andrew came over and found him.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09I was closely following him.
0:11:09 > 0:11:14He could have been here for quite a while if there'd been nobody else here.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17It came from Polish farmhand, Valdek Kirsch.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21His colleagues found him trapped beneath the half-ton hay bale.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23He's lucky to be alive.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26We're going to have to roll you over on to your back.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30We need to immobilise your back, you understand?
0:11:30 > 0:11:33We'll then get you off to hospital and get you more pain relief.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37Valdek was checking a stack when the bale fell on him.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41His pelvis is crushed and his arm is badly injured.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44Agh, aagh...
0:11:44 > 0:11:48- Is that in your back? Is that here? - Yeah.- Yeah.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51What about if we bring his legs together
0:11:51 > 0:11:55and then strap them with some back straps, keep them still?
0:11:55 > 0:11:58This is going to hurt when we roll you over.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02We'll fasten your legs together so they don't move, understand?
0:12:02 > 0:12:07Just relax this arm, sweet. Just relax this. That's better.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10Just relax, we'll do our best.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Are we ready, people? Valdek, listen to what I'm going to tell you.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16This is going to be painful but we're only going to do it once.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18OK? On my call, please.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Ready, steady, move.
0:12:21 > 0:12:22Argh!
0:12:24 > 0:12:29Valdek is one of thousands of Polish farm workers helping with the harvest on our farms.
0:12:29 > 0:12:36He's been in the UK four years and is a popular member of the Wainwright family's workforce.
0:12:36 > 0:12:37Keep your head still.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39HE SPEAKS IN POLISH
0:12:39 > 0:12:41His text was enough to save his life
0:12:41 > 0:12:43but the rest of his English is basic.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46Sadly, his wife can't speak any English
0:12:46 > 0:12:50and is unable to help paramedic Darren understand her husband.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54Darren knows the weight of the bale could have inflicted internal injuries
0:12:54 > 0:12:57that could still prove fatal if they're not soon identified and treated.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00A queried fracture dislocation of his right shoulder.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04He's got quite a lot of lower back pain.
0:13:04 > 0:13:09We'll be taking him to YDH so we'll need a secondary transfer, over.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12What's your pain like now?
0:13:12 > 0:13:13How bad?
0:13:13 > 0:13:15- Very bad?- Very.
0:13:15 > 0:13:20Sproxton Hall Farm is more than 20 miles from the nearest trauma unit.
0:13:20 > 0:13:26By air, Valdek will be in York hospital in ten minutes.
0:13:26 > 0:13:27It's late in the day.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31If Valdek hadn't had the presence of mind to send his SOS text,
0:13:31 > 0:13:34he could have lain undiscovered all night.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37He's had the full amount of morphine that we can give him,
0:13:37 > 0:13:41he's had 20 milligrams. It didn't seem to reduce his pain much.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44It's not had much effect on him, really.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48I reckon half that dose would be enough to put me down but...
0:13:48 > 0:13:51he seems a little bit more settled now, he's not complaining.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55I'm keeping my eye on him a bit cos he started to yawn
0:13:55 > 0:13:57and I don't know if that's the shock setting in
0:13:57 > 0:13:59or if it's the morphine having an effect on him.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05In the next hour, Valdek will find out the extent of his injuries.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07And it's not good news.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09His pelvis is so badly damaged,
0:14:09 > 0:14:13he's later transferred to the Regional Trauma Unit in Leeds for complex surgery.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19How are you? Can you manage?
0:14:19 > 0:14:22But a few days later, he's on the mend,
0:14:22 > 0:14:25and able to reflect on his lifesaving text to the boss.
0:14:26 > 0:14:31- Later, send for you mess... to you.- You sent me a message? Yeah.
0:14:31 > 0:14:37- Then, look!- "Help!"- "Mark, help!" - And I thought, "Oh my God!"- Yeah.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39Then you...
0:14:39 > 0:14:43..called to me, and I say, "Help, Mark! Help, Mark! Help!"
0:14:43 > 0:14:47Then, I don't know how long, maybe 20 minutes.
0:14:47 > 0:14:48Then come...
0:14:48 > 0:14:50..ambulance here. Or maybe long...
0:14:50 > 0:14:52..I not remember how long time.
0:14:53 > 0:14:58Everyone knows that Sproxton Hall's gentle giant is lucky to be alive.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01But few realise how long his recovery is likely to take.
0:15:04 > 0:15:10It's the following harvest time before Valdek's finally fit for work again.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18Now let's return to the river bank in North Yorkshire,
0:15:18 > 0:15:23where the team is battling to save a teenager swept away in rapids.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27Paramedics Pete Vallence and Paul Bradbury
0:15:27 > 0:15:30are about to start the delicate operation to move Rebecca Lee.
0:15:30 > 0:15:35She's in pain from a back injury suffered when she was thrown out of a raft on rapids...
0:15:35 > 0:15:39..and swept 200 metres down the River Washburn.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41Get as many hands as we can.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44And manoeuvre her up board. We'll get a collar on once we get her out.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47The position she's in, we're not going to get one here.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49Rebecca's an experienced canoeist.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51She's wearing all the right gear,
0:15:51 > 0:15:56but she's reluctant to let Pete cut off hundreds of pounds' worth of protective clothing.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59- Rebecca?- Mmm.- No? You don't want it cutting?- No.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01- Right.- Expensive.
0:16:01 > 0:16:02They're expensive? Right.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05To move you off, we're not going to be able to move you properly,
0:16:05 > 0:16:09and protect your back as we would like, if you're wanting us to pull it off.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13Is it your decision you don't want that happening? You don't want it cutting?
0:16:13 > 0:16:18I'd strongly advise you to have it cut, but if you don't want to, we'll try and get round that, OK?
0:16:18 > 0:16:24Right, on the head, if you keep the head, and what we're going to do is lift you straight up.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Have we got enough body here for that?
0:16:26 > 0:16:29SCREAMS IN PAIN
0:16:32 > 0:16:36Right, we're going to roll across, onto her back, on the...
0:16:36 > 0:16:38..shout from the head.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40Ready, steady, roll.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Well done. That's it. Well done, Becky.
0:16:42 > 0:16:48Rebecca's being strapped to a rigid spinal stretcher that will protect her back.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52Rebecca, we're not going to be able to secure you properly onto here with this strap on.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59At least she's agreed Pete can cut off her buoyancy aid.
0:17:01 > 0:17:06The accident happened as Rebecca was experiencing the hair-raising white water ride
0:17:06 > 0:17:11that's available every time engineers use a river to transfer water from one reservoir to another.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14It's a planned release. There are two reservoirs.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17They release water at one end through a dam.
0:17:17 > 0:17:18It goes down to the other.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21In terms of white water, it's fairly benign.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23It's just what's called a grade three.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25It's a nice, controlled environment.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28It's not for beginners. You need to know what you're doing.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30It's a remote place.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33Ground paramedics have walked two miles to get here.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37Let's get you to the aircraft. We'll check you over. We'll talk about this.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39Right, are you guys all right in there?
0:17:39 > 0:17:43What we're going to need to do is lift now, so if there's anybody spare that can come in here.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45I think as few as possible.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49Dozens of canoeists and kayakers saw the accident.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53It's good news for the team. There's plenty of volunteers to carry Rebecca.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55On three, then. One, two, three, lift!
0:17:56 > 0:17:58The pain in Rebecca's spine is worrying.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04- Becca, are you hurting now?- Yeah.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07Is it more when we move you and rock you?
0:18:07 > 0:18:11She'll be immobilised until she can be X-rayed at Leeds General Infirmary.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13But Pete's concerned at what he's hearing.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16And you're feeling it between your shoulders still?
0:18:16 > 0:18:19Is that just when you were moving your head or...
0:18:19 > 0:18:21..or is it still there all the time?
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Comes and goes.
0:18:24 > 0:18:25Is it this level?
0:18:25 > 0:18:28Yeah? So not further down?
0:18:28 > 0:18:30Her body temperature's quite low.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33Injury-wise, looking at a bit of C-spine tenderness.
0:18:33 > 0:18:38Obviously, tenderness in a spine, you treat for the worst, into the collar and spinal board.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40Ooh, you are jumpy, aren't you, with needles?
0:18:40 > 0:18:42She doesn't like needles,
0:18:42 > 0:18:46so we'll probably give her a bit of Entonox and bring her down to LGI,
0:18:46 > 0:18:48which is probably about seven, eight minutes from here.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Your heart rate, your oxygen saturations are fantastic.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54Can't get a blood pressure at the moment.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56We'll try again while we're going in.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59But as long as I can feel a pulse, I'm quite happy with that.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01That's telling you your blood pressure's fine.
0:19:01 > 0:19:06Helimed 98's twin jet engines will make short work of
0:19:06 > 0:19:11the 20 mile flight to Leeds but Rebecca's not a confident flier.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13Rebecca, you're fine! You all right?
0:19:15 > 0:19:16Rebecca, smile.
0:19:19 > 0:19:20A little bit nervy, Tim.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26But fear of flying could be the least of her worries. In the next hour,
0:19:26 > 0:19:30she'll be hearing the outcome of hospital X-rays on her back.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33The results could change her life.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41Coming up, Rebecca's arrived at hospital
0:19:41 > 0:19:43but how badly hurt is she?
0:19:43 > 0:19:47She looks like she's been very lucky but time will tell on that.
0:19:56 > 0:20:01If it's possible to have a happy accident, one biker's just had one.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05She was unlucky to come off her bike but thanks to a team of firefighters,
0:20:05 > 0:20:09she's been well looked after since seconds after she hit the ground.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15Biker Kate Stead is about to say goodbye to the fire fighters
0:20:15 > 0:20:18who came to her rescue after a nasty bike smash.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21Their engine was on its way to a minor blaze
0:20:21 > 0:20:24when they came across her accident near the market town of Selby.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27We pulled up to it and got off then looked back
0:20:27 > 0:20:31and saw a bit of commotion, so we got off to see what was happening.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35The fire brigade is not really needed here any more,
0:20:35 > 0:20:38but the fire they were on their way to is out.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40They're staying to help carry the stretcher.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42Ready, steady, move!
0:20:42 > 0:20:45There we go. lovely.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47Kate's leg is broken.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51Paramedics Lee Gray and Tony Wilkes fear she's shattered her pelvis.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55- Can you remember everything that happened?- I can't remember anything.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59The firefighters who started her treatment so promptly
0:20:59 > 0:21:03now have to say goodbye to their unexpected emergency case.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06Helmet and everything's in the back.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09- Good lad. Appreciate that very much. - See you later.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Thanks a lot, lads. It were great.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15Kate's taking off for Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19Helimed 99 will be there is little more than 10 minutes.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22Surgeons are waiting to assess her injuries.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26We're going to land to do the initial assessment.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30We've moved her. She was complaining about pain down the right side of her pelvis.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34Put that together with the probable fracture of the femur,
0:21:34 > 0:21:37the long bone in the top of the right leg.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41Obviously the impact is in the same area as the pelvis,
0:21:41 > 0:21:46so she'd be classed as a two for the fact she may have fractured her pelvis.
0:21:48 > 0:21:53It's the start of a hospital stay that lasts almost two months.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56There's never a good time to have a road accident
0:21:56 > 0:22:00but for Kate, it was doubly unfortunate timing.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04I was on my way home, looking forward to having dinner with my husband,
0:22:04 > 0:22:08because it was our wedding anniversary and his birthday.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12We'd got a nice Indian restaurant lined up that he knew the staff of
0:22:12 > 0:22:18and I came round over the top of the hill where I normally come round and bang.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22Kate still has clear memories of the firefighters who rushed to her rescue.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25The next thing I remember was opening my eyes
0:22:25 > 0:22:28and seeing quite a few firemen around
0:22:28 > 0:22:32thinking, that was a bit strange, firemen, where are all the paramedics?
0:22:32 > 0:22:36Quite pleased to find I was well looked after at my accident scene,
0:22:36 > 0:22:39even if it was by firemen or ambulance men.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42As well as a broken leg and ankle,
0:22:42 > 0:22:46Kate chipped one of her vertebrae and broke bones in her arm.
0:22:46 > 0:22:51Her hospital stay is lengthened by her unusual home address.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54Walking the gangplank on crutches isn't a great idea,
0:22:54 > 0:22:58but she's now back home and in the saddle.
0:22:58 > 0:23:04I was sat in hospital all the time thinking, I just want to get back on my bike.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06As soon as I could, I was off.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10I made sure my leg was strong enough
0:23:10 > 0:23:13and I was out on my bike as soon as I could get out on it.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30RADIO: ...Forth, Tyne, Dogger.
0:23:30 > 0:23:35South easterly, becoming cyclonic later. Rain or thundery showers. Poor.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40Typical, isn't it? You know the feeling, you set off on your holidays,
0:23:40 > 0:23:42two weeks of fun in the sun, and you get this.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45At least you've got your home comforts with you,
0:23:45 > 0:23:50But you'd be surprised how many holidaymakers get in trouble a long way from home.
0:23:51 > 0:23:56Robin Hood's Bay was once the home of Yorkshire's most notorious smugglers.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00Now the famous fishing village is more used to the many tourists
0:24:00 > 0:24:03who hunt the rock pools and cliffs for fossils
0:24:03 > 0:24:06and walk the coastal paths.
0:24:06 > 0:24:12But the journey home for one caravanning family has ended very badly.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15And they're trapped in their four-wheel-drive tow car,
0:24:15 > 0:24:18which has rolled down the steep hill.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23Helimed 99 is on its way to the crash site in Newtondale,
0:24:23 > 0:24:27a steep valley bisecting the North York Moors.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30'An update has come in to say that there's four casualties.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33'63 are on standby in Teesside.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36'Could you give me an update as soon as poss
0:24:36 > 0:24:39'whether you need a second aircraft, please, over?'
0:24:39 > 0:24:42'99, Roger, that's affirmative.'
0:24:42 > 0:24:46Down in the valley there's a family needing the Helimed crew's help
0:24:46 > 0:24:51but the landing site is too steep for a three-tonne helicopter.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54Paramedic Darren is going to have to jump for it.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58- Just dust me off, I'll get out and then just leave me.- Yep.- OK, man.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02As pilot Chris Attrill flies off to find a safe landing site,
0:25:02 > 0:25:03Darren sets off to work.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10It's a single vehicle. It's come through the barriers and overturned several times.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13They've both been conscious while I've been here.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15I'm told that she's been trying to close her eyes.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19- She's got a head injury.- Lovely. - Suspended by her seatbelt there.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22Listen, people. You all with us, aren't you? Are you all awake?
0:25:22 > 0:25:26- Are you happy down there, chief? - Yeah, I'm fine.- OK.
0:25:26 > 0:25:27Daz needs to get into the car
0:25:27 > 0:25:30but there's a danger it could tip over if he does.
0:25:30 > 0:25:35- The Fire Brigade have a plan. - They look conscious and stable but we need to get oxygen to the lady
0:25:35 > 0:25:38hanging in the seatbelt and get some support under her.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40We'll get some chocks in, get it safe
0:25:40 > 0:25:42and then we'll get first access, get the oxygen on.
0:25:42 > 0:25:47The fire crew use ladders to prop the car up.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50Daz can finally crawl inside to his patients.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52Right-o! Lesley.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54OK, let go.
0:25:54 > 0:25:59Let go of her arm. There you are, Lesley. How's that?
0:25:59 > 0:26:03Despite his car having rolled over many times,
0:26:03 > 0:26:05Ian Cooper seems OK.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08His wife Lesley hasn't been so lucky.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11- How are you going there, chief?- I'm OK.- Any pain?- No.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14- You remember everything that's happened?- Yeah.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16Has Lesley been conscious as well?
0:26:16 > 0:26:19- When we first stopped, no, she wasn't.- Right.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21Lesley has a bad head wound
0:26:21 > 0:26:26and the possibility of a serious neck or back injury is high.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29That's it. Just rest her arm down now.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33This chap here, obviously, he's been rolled over and bounced around.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35- He needs to come out on a board as well.- I wouldn't say so.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37I'm certain.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40Yeah, well, unfortunately, although you might not say so,
0:26:40 > 0:26:44you've been rolled around in here like a tumble dryer, mate.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48Helimed 63, the Great North Air Ambulance,
0:26:48 > 0:26:52has arrived from Teesside to transfer one of the patients.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57We're going to bring the seat back. Have you got her down there, chief?
0:26:57 > 0:27:00Yeah, yeah, keep it coming.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03Keep, keep... We will do in a sec. Keep it coming.
0:27:03 > 0:27:04You're doing great.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06Paramedics have to think on their feet
0:27:06 > 0:27:10but getting his injured patients out of this confined space
0:27:10 > 0:27:11is taxing Darren.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13Firefighters, who's in charge?
0:27:13 > 0:27:17- Does anybody think we ought to start cutting t'roof away?- Yes.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19The firefighters are undertaking an extrication
0:27:19 > 0:27:23where they're actually going to fold the roof down
0:27:23 > 0:27:26so they can actually get entry into the car and to the casualties,
0:27:26 > 0:27:31to remove them on spine boards with the assistance of the paramedics.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35It's like being down t'pit! That's what I used to do, mate.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37Finally, the roof comes off.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40Yeah, yeah, go as much as you can. Get it flat.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46- OK, seatbelt's going.- Yeah, yeah.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48And with a lot of muscle power, his patient is out.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52- Just take it steady.- Have you got her? Have you got her?- Yep.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55- Thank you very much, gentlemen. - Thank you.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58- Now, then, chief, just relax. - Can I get out now?
0:27:58 > 0:28:02- Let's make sure we're all right. Have you got any pain in your chest? - I'm not sure.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05Take a deep breath for me in. Does that hurt anywhere? Not at all?
0:28:05 > 0:28:09Ian and Lesley are being flown to different hospitals.
0:28:09 > 0:28:14He's off to Scarborough. She's heading for Middlesbrough, 40 miles away.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17It will be several days before they're reunited
0:28:17 > 0:28:21and they have both seen their old caravan for the last time.
0:28:22 > 0:28:27But it takes a lot to tie down a caravanner, and before a hint of the next summer,
0:28:27 > 0:28:30they are fully recovered and out shopping.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33This is four berth.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37You've got your front lounge, then you've got your fixed bed here
0:28:37 > 0:28:39and then the washroom on the end.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43They are determined to get back on the road with a new van
0:28:43 > 0:28:47and the memories of their last trip away behind them.
0:28:47 > 0:28:51The police asked me afterwards what, in my opinion, had gone wrong,
0:28:51 > 0:28:54and I, to this day, don't know.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57I've gone over it hundreds and hundreds of times in my mind
0:28:57 > 0:28:59and I honestly don't know what happened.
0:28:59 > 0:29:03Wife Lesley was very badly shaken by the accident
0:29:03 > 0:29:06but, despite some reservations,
0:29:06 > 0:29:09is keen to get back to her weekends away in Yorkshire.
0:29:09 > 0:29:15I'm a bit nervous, is the word, or...
0:29:15 > 0:29:17Little bit frightened
0:29:17 > 0:29:21because we haven't had anything happen to us in the past.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25And both have nothing but praise for paramedic Darren
0:29:25 > 0:29:29who kept their spirits up during their upside-down ordeal.
0:29:29 > 0:29:34Lesley. OK, let go. It's like being down t'pit!
0:29:34 > 0:29:39He was absolutely fantastic, with a fantastic sense of humour as well.
0:29:39 > 0:29:43He came through the back of the car
0:29:43 > 0:29:45and he was, you know...
0:29:45 > 0:29:48He realised I was conscious and Lesley weren't.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51He was making jokes. He was absolutely fantastic,
0:29:51 > 0:29:55just to sort of take the pressure of the situation at the time.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58You've been rolled around like a tumble dryer, mate.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00He did his job wonderfully well.
0:30:00 > 0:30:05We can't thank him enough and everyone else that was there.
0:30:05 > 0:30:09But he's... The one thing I do remember was his sense of humour.
0:30:09 > 0:30:13It was amazing in that situation.
0:30:16 > 0:30:21Keeping the kids happy on holiday is the secret to having a good time.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23But for one young mum and her daughter,
0:30:23 > 0:30:26a safe and relaxing day trip on their bikes
0:30:26 > 0:30:29turned into a cycle ride they'd never forget.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35It's summer in the Peak District and the school holidays
0:30:35 > 0:30:38mean thousands have come out to enjoy the great outdoors.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41But while most people are out enjoying the sunshine,
0:30:41 > 0:30:45the Helimed team are still hard at work.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49Helimed 98, air desk. en route to Ladybower, over.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52Today they've been called to one of the Peak District's
0:30:52 > 0:30:55most popular beauty spots.
0:30:55 > 0:30:59It's a job right at the side of a large well-known reservoir.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01It's at the visitor centre.
0:31:01 > 0:31:02It's very remote round there.
0:31:02 > 0:31:06It can take an ambulance quite a while to get there really.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08So I think maybe we could be of some benefit.
0:31:08 > 0:31:13We've actually got somebody on the ground attracting our attention now.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16So we're happy that we're going to land there, near the centre, over.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22Yeah, you're clear of the wall.
0:31:22 > 0:31:26I've got a group of four people, two dogs at three o'clock.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35Colin knows he's going to help someone with a badly broken leg
0:31:35 > 0:31:37but still doesn't know exactly where they are.
0:31:37 > 0:31:39- Is this the right area?- Yes, yes.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41We are just down here. Is it quite near?
0:31:41 > 0:31:45It's just up here. It's actually in the visitor centre up there.
0:31:45 > 0:31:46Is it? Right.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49Eventually, he finds his patient in an emergency shelter.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52I don't want to interrupt anything! Good morning.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54Good morning.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57THEY LAUGH
0:31:57 > 0:31:59Crikey.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01INDISTINCT SPEECH
0:32:01 > 0:32:03Oh, marvellous.
0:32:03 > 0:32:08Paulette has badly broken her ankle by falling off her bike
0:32:08 > 0:32:11after crashing into her own daughter.
0:32:11 > 0:32:13'Just coming round the corner thinking,
0:32:13 > 0:32:15'"oh, we're nearly back now,"
0:32:15 > 0:32:18'and then unfortunately I heard a scream.'
0:32:18 > 0:32:20So obviously, Paulette's in quite a bit of pain
0:32:20 > 0:32:25and it was only when I got up that we realised she was on the floor
0:32:25 > 0:32:27and that she wasn't able to move.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30How's your pain at the moment? On a scale of nought to 10,
0:32:30 > 0:32:340 is nothing and 10 is, "Oh my goodness me, pain".
0:32:34 > 0:32:39Um, if I move it, it's about nine or ten.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41But if I sit still, it's about seven or eight.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45OK. So it's still quite painful when you're there? Right, OK.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48Colin has a unique way with patients,
0:32:48 > 0:32:51usually involving a string of bad jokes.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53Right. Going to give you some less-phine,
0:32:53 > 0:32:56it's a bit cheaper round here, than morphine.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59Slightly different as well.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01They're not all as bad as this, you know?
0:33:01 > 0:33:02Some are even worse.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07Right then. Just a little bit of a needle going in.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10Keep your eyes closed if you want. I'll keep mine shut.
0:33:10 > 0:33:12LAUGHTER
0:33:14 > 0:33:18In this remote moorland valley, even their radio's stopped working.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22They can't get a land ambulance to take Paulette to hospital.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25Rejected by network, that's all you need, isn't it?
0:33:25 > 0:33:29So she'll be taken by car to Helimed 98.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33- You get a flight in a helicopter. - Right.- Can't beat that, can you?
0:33:35 > 0:33:38It's been such a busy day for the ambulance service,
0:33:38 > 0:33:43another air ambulance has arrived at the same spot so their paramedics are roped in to help.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46This is our Paulette. She was cut up by her own daughter,
0:33:46 > 0:33:48of all things.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50- Oh dear, that's not good. - On the bike.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53Despite Paulette's pain, Colin's determined to keep her smiling.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56You can do the can-can if you want as well.
0:33:56 > 0:33:57SHE LAUGHS
0:33:57 > 0:34:00You weren't expecting this, were you?
0:34:00 > 0:34:02Come on, hurry up.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06It's a lot quicker. It's only a few minutes away by the helicopter.
0:34:06 > 0:34:11It's 45 minutes by land ambulance so... a long way.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17- You can jump in now, Sammy.- OK.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21So Paulette is soon being lifted out of the Derwent Valley on her way to hospital.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23An injured mum out of action for a few months,
0:34:23 > 0:34:27while her daughter who unintentionally caused the accident,
0:34:27 > 0:34:30has some extra helping out at home to do.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34During the holiday season, the Helimed choppers can be sent
0:34:34 > 0:34:38to help deep in the Yorkshire Dales, high up on the remote moors
0:34:38 > 0:34:41or find themselves flying out to the seaside.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45They go wherever there are holidaymakers who need their help.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50Some East Coast resorts like Scarborough and Whitby
0:34:50 > 0:34:54double their populations overnight as soon as the schools break up.
0:34:54 > 0:34:58But at Helimed headquarters, reports are coming in
0:34:58 > 0:35:01of a serious accident on a main route to the beaches.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05Two coaches with approximately a hundred people, 50 on each coach.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09I've got 99, 58 and 63 running.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12So I may need you if it gets any worse, over.
0:35:12 > 0:35:17Dispatcher Dave Gardner knows this could be a major incident.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21Now it might be in Kirby or just before Kirby.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23The accident's happened a half-hour drive
0:35:23 > 0:35:28from the nearest A&E unit, on the edge of the North York Moors.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31Paramedics Darren and Kate know that the distances involved
0:35:31 > 0:35:33mean their chopper could be vital.
0:35:33 > 0:35:38We've got an incoming call that two coaches have crashed
0:35:38 > 0:35:40head-on on the this road.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43It is quite a fast road,
0:35:43 > 0:35:48with reports of possibly up to 100 people involved in this incident.
0:35:48 > 0:35:53We've deployed three different helicopters and we've also got
0:35:53 > 0:35:55the Great North Air Ambulance coming from Teesside
0:35:55 > 0:35:59and their second aircraft which is coming across to assist us
0:35:59 > 0:36:01from Penrith I think.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05The two buses were taking trippers from Tyneside
0:36:05 > 0:36:09to the Yorkshire coast when one ran into the back of the other.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11This is 99 receiving.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14Helimed 99, can I pass you a message, please? Over.
0:36:14 > 0:36:1799, Charlie one has arrived on scene.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20He's wanting at least three ambulances
0:36:20 > 0:36:21on his first sweep through.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24Paramedics are trained to think ahead.
0:36:24 > 0:36:28Darren's already planning the rescue of the less seriously injured.
0:36:28 > 0:36:32If there's a potential for large numbers of walking wounded,
0:36:32 > 0:36:37it might be a good idea to get some PTS ambulances
0:36:37 > 0:36:41that have got seats on them so we can remove these patients
0:36:41 > 0:36:44from the scene, over.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47'Yeah, Roger. Thanks.'
0:36:49 > 0:36:52The Great North Air Ambulance is already on scene.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55Its crew have already examined the victims.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57But they have good news.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00Despite several people with whiplash and neck pains,
0:37:00 > 0:37:03no-one appears to be seriously hurt.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08How are we doing, folks? Hello, hello. I'm Daz, pleased to meet you.
0:37:08 > 0:37:10- Pleased to meet you.- What can I do?
0:37:10 > 0:37:13So far, there are obviously two coaches, this lot apparently
0:37:13 > 0:37:16haven't complained of any neck or back pain. Those all have.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19The fire brigade and ambulance crews are up there...
0:37:19 > 0:37:22RADIO DROWNS OUT SPEECH
0:37:22 > 0:37:27I've so far let them know that we're going to need approximately ten vehicles
0:37:27 > 0:37:30to account so far for the people who've stood up with neck pain.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33I haven't asked or spoken to any of these lot yet.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36These all seem to be walking around and not complaining.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39This has been a very lucky escape. But the team has to be sure.
0:37:39 > 0:37:43A minor neck pain could be a symptom of a serious spinal injury.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47What we're going to do is, the doctor's going to go through
0:37:47 > 0:37:50with me who needs dealing with and who doesn't.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53Everybody stood up and walking, the likelihood is they'll be able
0:37:53 > 0:37:57to make their own way to hospital or just ride sat up in an ambulance.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59But once we've sorted it with the doctor,
0:37:59 > 0:38:02we'll go from this end to that end and we'll work it from there.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05We'll not keep you long, all right?
0:38:05 > 0:38:08Many passengers are shocked.
0:38:08 > 0:38:12Just as well these bairns had seat belts and that on.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15Or it would have been worse. It would have been worse.
0:38:15 > 0:38:16Definitely. It was horrible.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20Terrible, honestly, a disgrace. I'm shaking.
0:38:20 > 0:38:24One woman will be going to hospital, but just as a precaution.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27She's pregnant, four months pregnant. She took a whack on the side
0:38:27 > 0:38:31and she's got to go to hospital and get checked out, get the baby checked out.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34Hopefully everything's OK. Fingers crossed.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36Thanks to dispatcher Dave,
0:38:36 > 0:38:40an RAF Sea King has joined the rescue operation.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43It can fly 16 patients to hospital at once.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45Any of these walking wounded going?
0:38:45 > 0:38:48I'm going round now to ask each individual.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51RAF are saying they're willing to take some, if you haven't
0:38:51 > 0:38:53got enough PTS motors.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56- I've got three PTS coming.- Right.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59The emergency services also have an unusual problem.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02Some of the bus passengers seem rather too keen
0:39:02 > 0:39:04to go to hospital.
0:39:04 > 0:39:08Perhaps it has something to do with the prospect of a free ride with the RAF.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12I've just spoken to the ambulance officer and what she's saying is,
0:39:12 > 0:39:16she's got three patient transport vehicles coming and she says that
0:39:16 > 0:39:19under no circumstances is she going to put you to the trouble
0:39:19 > 0:39:23of putting some of these, who basically want a ride, on your machine.
0:39:23 > 0:39:24Right, so...
0:39:24 > 0:39:28So as far as she's concerned and I think most of us, you can...
0:39:28 > 0:39:32We'll need formal standing down by our internal authorities
0:39:32 > 0:39:35so we can do that via air wave to Kinloss really.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37I can do that via our base and then Kinloss.
0:39:37 > 0:39:43Can you do that and then we'll get Kinloss to task us directly? So we'll stand down, effectively.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46Yeah. You can make your way to Leeds and get the kettles on!
0:39:46 > 0:39:49Yeah, OK.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54It could so easily have been a disaster.
0:39:54 > 0:39:58But many of the passengers are now keen to continue their trip to the seaside.
0:39:58 > 0:40:02It takes more than a minor bump to dampen the holiday spirit.
0:40:04 > 0:40:08The patients that prove that the weather's not the only thing
0:40:08 > 0:40:09that can ruin your holiday.
0:40:09 > 0:40:13Now let's return to the case of the teenager who was swept away
0:40:13 > 0:40:16by man-made rapids on a North Yorkshire river.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21On the River Washburn deep in the Yorkshire Dales,
0:40:21 > 0:40:24canoeists and kayakers are enjoying a monthly thrill...
0:40:24 > 0:40:28A white water ride on man-made rapids created by millions
0:40:28 > 0:40:32of gallons of water being transferred between reservoirs.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34Helimed 98, now landing.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39An hour ago, 20-year-old Rebecca Lee was with them.
0:40:39 > 0:40:43Now she's touching down on the rooftop helipad of the regional trauma centre
0:40:43 > 0:40:47with what the Helimed team fear is a serious back injury.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50Was it a kayak you were in then? Two person?
0:40:50 > 0:40:52- A raft.- A raft? Right.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55Paramedics Pete Vallance and Paul Bradbury believe
0:40:55 > 0:41:01Rebecca may have injured her spine on a rock as she was swept 200 metres downstream.
0:41:01 > 0:41:06- Just clinging on to the side? - Just in the rocks, in the shallows. Other canoeists took her in.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09- So she wasn't underneath? - Not under at any stage, no.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12- She had her buoyancy aid on and helmet.- Right.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15- But obviously the length of time she was in...- She was bumped around?
0:41:15 > 0:41:20Mid-line pain, lumbar region and upper thoracic, C spine area.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24But the Leeds General Infirmary team are experts in trauma.
0:41:24 > 0:41:29A series of tests over the next hour will allow them to detect a back injury.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32My name's Matthew, I'm one of the doctors.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34You're obviously very cold, yeah?
0:41:34 > 0:41:37She banged her head on the log as she's come down as well
0:41:37 > 0:41:40which obviously leaves the potential for injury,
0:41:40 > 0:41:43broadens it much more, so although she's not complaining
0:41:43 > 0:41:48of any particular injuries at the moment, other than her back that she identified,
0:41:48 > 0:41:53then obviously she'll need checking over more thoroughly than just falling in the water.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56She looks like she's been very lucky but time will tell.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00And the following day, there's good news.
0:42:00 > 0:42:05Rebecca's badly bruised but her spine is undamaged.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09And within a week, she's back on the water
0:42:09 > 0:42:10pursuing the hobby she loves.
0:42:10 > 0:42:16'We went a bit fast cos we wanted to beat the boys.
0:42:16 > 0:42:20'And as they came to the wave, we started turning sideways a bit.'
0:42:20 > 0:42:24We knew we are going to go over anyway.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26So the raft overturned.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30'It's not the water that scares you, it's the rocks.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33'They're what does the damage.'
0:42:33 > 0:42:35Obviously, I was bouncing off them.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38Canoeing, kayaking and rafting are safe sports,
0:42:38 > 0:42:42but every year, an unlucky few suffer serious injuries
0:42:42 > 0:42:45and deaths aren't unknown.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48But Rebecca is determined to get back in the rapids.
0:42:48 > 0:42:54'You just practise, build yourself up gradually.'
0:42:54 > 0:42:58If you're scared to go on the water then there's no point canoeing.
0:42:58 > 0:43:01And Rebecca's still plucking up the courage
0:43:01 > 0:43:04to ride the white water that she nearly drowned in.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06But she says it's only a matter of time.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:17 > 0:43:20E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk