0:00:03 > 0:00:07If you're critically ill or seriously injured, seconds count.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11And in Britain's biggest county, you can be a long way from help.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13- 'Where's the patient?' - 'Stuck under the car.'
0:00:13 > 0:00:18The Yorkshire Air Ambulance flies at 150 miles an hour,
0:00:18 > 0:00:21and thanks to its speed, hundreds of patients are alive today,
0:00:21 > 0:00:25saved by a highly skilled team of doctors and paramedics.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27- 'Stand clear, everybody.' - 'Keep going!'
0:00:27 > 0:00:31It covers some of the UK's most rugged landscapes,
0:00:31 > 0:00:34turning roadsides into operating theatres...
0:00:34 > 0:00:37'We're going to put him to sleep with an emergency anaesthetic.'
0:00:37 > 0:00:39..and town centres into helipads.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42- 'Building on the left?' - 'Just behind you.'
0:00:42 > 0:00:45And every day, the helimed team's skill, speed and courage
0:00:45 > 0:00:47is saving lives.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58Today on Helicopter Heroes...
0:01:00 > 0:01:02..an elderly walker is badly hurt
0:01:02 > 0:01:05in one of Yorkshire's most rugged landscapes...
0:01:05 > 0:01:10She slipped on a rock, fell down and gashed her forehead.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15..this patient's just gone into cardiac arrest.
0:01:15 > 0:01:16Can the team save him?
0:01:18 > 0:01:21High in the Pennines, two bikers are seriously injured...
0:01:21 > 0:01:24This other lad has run over his legs. Couldn't miss him.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27..and the building worker
0:01:27 > 0:01:29who accidentally sprayed himself with concrete.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31It just burns? Yeah, all right.
0:01:36 > 0:01:41The Yorkshire Dales is one of the UK's best-loved landscapes.
0:01:41 > 0:01:42This is Malham Cove.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46It used to be a waterfall higher than Niagara Falls.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49The prehistoric river that flowed over this cliff has now vanished,
0:01:49 > 0:01:53but the limestone scenery its waters left behind
0:01:53 > 0:01:58still attracts thousands of tourists every day.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00When Malham's waters dried up,
0:02:00 > 0:02:03they left behind these unusual rock formations.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07The limestone pavement is a rare phenomenon
0:02:07 > 0:02:09that's one of the Dales' most popular attractions.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13What are they saying about the patient, Daz?
0:02:13 > 0:02:16Been unconscious, now conscious. Head injury, fractured wrist.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18- I thought it said 80, originally. - Yeah.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21I wonder why an 80-year-old would be at Malham Cove.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23For proud Yorkshireman Darren Axe,
0:02:23 > 0:02:26this is a landscape that's close to his heart.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28You don't need a map for Malham Cove, then?
0:02:28 > 0:02:31- Are you all right without a map? - Yeah.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35- You can see it from space probably, can't you?- Yeah.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38It's a popular beauty spot.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41One of the best ones in the Yorkshire Dales.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43We get lots of visitors here in the summer months.
0:02:44 > 0:02:45They know that below them,
0:02:45 > 0:02:49an 80-year-old grandmother desperately needs their help.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52But with so many visitors exploring up here,
0:02:52 > 0:02:54finding their patient is far from straightforward.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58- There's a couple of people there, look.- Where are you looking?
0:02:58 > 0:03:01- Right on top, in the middle? - Yeah, on the top in the middle.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04The rugged landscape of the limestone pavement
0:03:04 > 0:03:07attracts the young and the adventurous,
0:03:07 > 0:03:10but this is the patient's grandson.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15Hello. We nearly left you.
0:03:15 > 0:03:16Hello.
0:03:16 > 0:03:17How are we doing?
0:03:20 > 0:03:22What's been happening? Oh, dear.
0:03:22 > 0:03:27Joan Bell and her husband Ronald are both in their 80s,
0:03:27 > 0:03:31but were still keen to explore this rugged environment.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35Well, she slipped on a rock, fell down and gashed her forehead
0:03:35 > 0:03:39and we think she may have broken her wrist.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43- So, walking along...- Slipped. - ..slipped, fallen?
0:03:43 > 0:03:44Hit my head on a rock.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46Right, you've not gone dizzy or anything?
0:03:46 > 0:03:49- You've just slipped and fallen, yeah? - No, I can see everything.- All right.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52- What do we call you?- Joan. And I'm 80 years old.
0:03:52 > 0:03:5380 years young?
0:03:53 > 0:03:55- Yeah.- Wonderful.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59So, with Darren now finally by his badly injured patient's side,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02it's time for the helicopter to join them.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04That'll clear the sheep out, won't it?
0:04:08 > 0:04:10- What are you thinking, then? The green bit?- Yeah.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13- The side of that boulder there. - The boulder, yeah.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19The downdraft is powerful enough
0:04:19 > 0:04:21to blow people off their feet...
0:04:22 > 0:04:26..so Darren makes a human shield to protect his patient.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28Looks good my side, Mark.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31There's no boulders that I can see.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40I'm just going to have a little feel at the back of your neck.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43- You're warm?- Yes.
0:04:43 > 0:04:44And bloody!
0:04:44 > 0:04:47Joan fell head first onto these sharp rocks
0:04:47 > 0:04:50and the blood is still flowing from her head.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52They wanted to have a look at the pavement,
0:04:52 > 0:04:53the limestone pavement.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57We went the shortest way and she just...
0:04:57 > 0:05:00missed her footing, I suppose,
0:05:00 > 0:05:01and slipped.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05I contribute to the North East Air Ambulance.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07North East?
0:05:07 > 0:05:09You're not North East, are you?
0:05:09 > 0:05:11No, you'll have to change your allegiance.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13I'm just going to have a little look at your head.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17It's a wound which paramedics call full thickness.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20It means Darren can see straight through to Joan's skull.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25Joan has lost a lot of blood.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29Oh, flipping heck!
0:05:29 > 0:05:31At 80, Joan's body is less able
0:05:31 > 0:05:34to cope with serious trauma like this
0:05:34 > 0:05:37and Darren knows that with such a massive head injury
0:05:37 > 0:05:41it's only a matter of time before she becomes unconscious.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54Keep fit, eat healthily and don't smoke.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57We all know the things we should be doing to avoid a heart attack.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00But there's something none of us can change.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03Your genes are one of the biggest factors determining
0:06:03 > 0:06:06whether you'll have heart disease.
0:06:06 > 0:06:07And today in South Yorkshire,
0:06:07 > 0:06:10Helimed 99's flying to the rescue of one patient
0:06:10 > 0:06:12whose family is well aware of that fact.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14We've had a crew request.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16They're on scene with a patient
0:06:16 > 0:06:19who's been identified as having a heart attack.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21So, they're preparing the patient as we speak.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24They've got authorisation to Northern General.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27We'll land on and get the patient into hospital quickly.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- What is the pain like at the moment? - What are you, mate?
0:06:33 > 0:06:37- 7/10 a minute ago. He's just had... - Whoa! Tell me you're lifting.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41Fifty-year-old Mark Butterly has no history of heart disease,
0:06:41 > 0:06:46but he lives with his twin who has had several heart attacks.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49And heart disease sometimes runs in families.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52Mark is also a heavy smoker.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54The scrubland next to where the brothers live
0:06:54 > 0:06:57has proved to be a handy landing pad,
0:06:57 > 0:07:00but it's not to pilot Steve's liking.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02There's quite a lot of rubbish here,
0:07:02 > 0:07:04cardboard and plastic
0:07:04 > 0:07:06and things that could get blown up into the rotors
0:07:06 > 0:07:08or into the engine, so we'll just give it
0:07:08 > 0:07:12a quick clean before we take off to make sure it's safe for us.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Just hunch yourself down a little bit.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17Right, stay as you are.
0:07:17 > 0:07:18We'll put the back rest up to you.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23We'll quickly get some monitoring on you.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26We'll be two minutes and then we'll be taking off, all right?
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- Right, we'll get out of the road. - Thanks very much.
0:07:29 > 0:07:30- See you, mate.- Cheers.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34This is a regular mission for the helimed team,
0:07:34 > 0:07:37transferring a patient for angioplasty,
0:07:37 > 0:07:40a procedure to clear out blocked arteries in the heart.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44They'll take Mark to Sheffield.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47Paramedic Pete Vallance's job is to monitor his patient closely,
0:07:47 > 0:07:49watching for changes to his condition.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Blue sheet, it's got little carry handles on it...
0:07:55 > 0:08:00Mark is on the last leg of his journey to the heart specialist.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02All is going well,
0:08:02 > 0:08:03until this.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05OK, off. Everybody off!
0:08:05 > 0:08:07Mark has gone into cardiac arrest.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09Straight back on again.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12It's all right, Mark. Don't worry!
0:08:12 > 0:08:16Mark is in the throes of a massive heart attack...
0:08:16 > 0:08:19just 200 metres from the waiting cardiac specialists.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22If the team can't restore a normal rhythm,
0:08:22 > 0:08:25it might as well be 200 miles.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38The UK is covered by 29 air ambulances.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41All, except those in Scotland, are funded by local charities.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44But sometimes a case is so serious
0:08:44 > 0:08:47that two are needed at the same accident.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53The bleak moors of the Pennines look very remote.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56It's hard to believe that these empty roads are just a few miles
0:08:56 > 0:09:01from the big towns of Blackburn, Bolton, Oldham and Rochdale.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04It means they're very popular with local bikers.
0:09:04 > 0:09:10But when things go wrong up here, help can be a long time coming.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13I think the location is just a bit further towards Denshaw.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16- It's the road just the other side of this camp.- OK.- That one.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21The accident has happened on the highest spot on the Pennine Moors.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25Looks like it's on the junction of these two roads somewhere.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29Pilot Tim Taylor is going to have his work cut out.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31The near side looks the flattest.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34Landing a helicopter on this steep incline is tricky.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39To your right, to your left. This is the best one. Come forward a touch.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44- Two casualties.- OK. - This is Richard.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- All right.- Coming down the road in two groups, not together.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49- MAN GROANS IN PAIN - One's lost control
0:09:49 > 0:09:52- and the bike slipped and skidded into the other one.- OK.
0:09:52 > 0:09:57It's unusual to have two bikers injured in one accident.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01Paramedics James Vine and Lee Davison will each care for one patient.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05Lee's is the most seriously hurt.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08Nice and steady, buddy, nice and steady.
0:10:08 > 0:10:1346-year-old Richard Dyson's leg injuries are very serious.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15Both are broken.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19And Lee thinks he could have a fractured pelvis as well.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22This yellow bike that's in the field here
0:10:22 > 0:10:25was coming around the bend and he's lost it on the bend
0:10:25 > 0:10:28and the rider slid down the road.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31This other lad was coming in the opposite direction
0:10:31 > 0:10:34and he's run over his legs. Couldn't miss him.
0:10:34 > 0:10:35Deep breath for me.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39OK.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43Friends called Richard's partner, Lesley, to the scene.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47- Where's your pain at the moment? - Left leg, right ankle.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49OK. All right.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53It turns out Richard was riding Lesley's bike.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56He was just trying it out.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59When I saw him slide off, I knew there were a lot of lads behind me
0:10:59 > 0:11:02and I thought, I hope he don't hit any of our crew.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04I thought we'd better have an ambulance
0:11:04 > 0:11:06so I rang 999 straightaway.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11Ambulances are thin on the ground up here.
0:11:11 > 0:11:16The North West Air Ambulance from Manchester has been sent to help.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22Hi, how we doing? James. We're going to be taking this one.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24The other one's an isolated ankle.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26You haven't got any long leg splints, have you?
0:11:26 > 0:11:30James's patient has a broken ankle.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34It's very painful but not serious. He's going to be driven to hospital.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38He's done really well. The bike's come underneath my gentleman
0:11:38 > 0:11:41and he's been thrown up in the air so he's missed a lot of the impact.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44It looks like it's an isolated ankle at the moment.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48Straightening Richard's bent and broken legs will hurt
0:11:48 > 0:11:50- but it has to be done. - Take a deep breath.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Just your left leg, slowly.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58- Good lad. That's excellent. - Keep breathing.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01It looks like he might have done his femur.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04Bikers look after each other.
0:12:04 > 0:12:09They share a passion for a hobby they know can be very dangerous.
0:12:10 > 0:12:16Query pelvis and left neck of femur
0:12:16 > 0:12:20and obvious deformities to bilateral tib and fib.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23You've got some lower leg fractures, all right?
0:12:23 > 0:12:26You've done your hip, all right, the long bone,
0:12:26 > 0:12:29but you've definitely got some ankle fractures.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34Richard's flown to the Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37It's a short flight but his leg injuries are very serious.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44His broken thighbone alone could prove fatal.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48Coming, keep coming.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51Hello. We're just going to get you into a warm area, OK?
0:12:51 > 0:12:56X-rays will determine how long his recovery will take.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04Can you put me through to A&E, please, to the nurses' station?
0:13:04 > 0:13:09Paramedic Lee Davison likes to keep track of his patients' progress.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12Hi, sorry to bother you. It's Lee from the air ambulance.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16Hiya. I'm just ringing to see what that guy's injuries were.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19And back at base he's soon on the phone to find out
0:13:19 > 0:13:22the result of those X-rays.
0:13:22 > 0:13:27Femur left, tib left, right ankle dislocation and right tib.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33Yeah, not good. Not good but hopefully he'll make a recovery from that.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38During the following days Richard has several appointments
0:13:38 > 0:13:42with Wythenshawe Hospital's orthopaedic surgeons
0:13:42 > 0:13:44and a number of operations to save his shattered legs.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50And a week later Richard's recovery is just beginning.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53I looked up because we were on a bit of a slope,
0:13:53 > 0:13:57I looked up and saw my legs looked like some were pointing this way
0:13:57 > 0:14:00and some were pointing that way. All mangled up.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04I thought, don't want to swear but, what the hell have I done to myself?
0:14:04 > 0:14:09He has countless broken bones held together with nuts, bolts
0:14:09 > 0:14:11and titanium plates.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14His partner, Lesley, knows he's lucky to be alive.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17As I was asking towards I saw the yellow bike in the ditch
0:14:17 > 0:14:20so I knew it were mine.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23As I knelt down to him the first thing he said was,
0:14:23 > 0:14:24"Sorry about your bike".
0:14:24 > 0:14:29I'm saying never mind the bike, it's you that matters not the bike.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33I'd rather the bike be trashed and you still here than other way round.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38Richard's going to spend the next six weeks with his feet up
0:14:38 > 0:14:40but he knows it could have been a lot worse
0:14:40 > 0:14:43without the help of the helimed team.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47To him, Lee and James are superheroes.
0:14:47 > 0:14:52Two guys got to me with big bags and they jumped out like Batman and Robin had turned up.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54They got straight into it and sorted me out.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56It's going to be a long job.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15Yorkshire's rocks were created even before the dinosaurs walked the earth.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18They were carved into these shapes by glaciers melting
0:15:18 > 0:15:20during the last Ice Age.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23Today they still present a major challenge
0:15:23 > 0:15:25for the modern emergency services.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30What's this pain?
0:15:30 > 0:15:31Yeah.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34If ten's very bad and zero is none.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38Eight. She's feisty, isn't she, eight and not complaining?
0:15:38 > 0:15:41If that was me I'd be squealing me head off.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44High above one of Yorkshire's most striking landmarks
0:15:44 > 0:15:49retired art teacher Joan Bell has had a serious accident.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52I'm coming up to 83 and my wife's 80.
0:15:52 > 0:15:58And, erm, we manage quite well but it's just one of those things.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00It happens.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03Her head wound is continuing to bleed
0:16:03 > 0:16:06but that's not her only injury.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09While he's sorting your head can I have a look at your wrist?
0:16:10 > 0:16:12- Ouch.- Sorry, sweet.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15Right, you can rest your head back down again now.
0:16:15 > 0:16:16That's wonderful.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21- Whereabouts is it hurting you? In the middle?- Mainly from here.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27I don't want to pull this jacket up, would I be all right to cut that?
0:16:27 > 0:16:31- No.- That's going to be painful. - It's going to be difficult, love.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35We can replace tops, can't we? We can't replace arms. OK?
0:16:40 > 0:16:44The local Cave Rescue team has been called out to help
0:16:44 > 0:16:46the air ambulance crew.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48Its members are used to serious accidents
0:16:48 > 0:16:51on the unforgiving rocks above Malham Cove.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54Ready, steady, roll.
0:16:56 > 0:16:57Oh, your head.
0:16:57 > 0:17:03We were just having a walk down to the cove and Joan slipped and fell
0:17:03 > 0:17:05and hurt her head and her arm.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10My mum trained as a nurse so I let her take the lead.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13We were just keeping her still and keeping her calm
0:17:13 > 0:17:15and then rang for the ambulance.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18Ready, steady, lift.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22Joan will fly, Cave Rescue will drive her family.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25We're often left with relatives quite shocked by the incident
0:17:25 > 0:17:27who are left stranded in a remote location.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30So, it's not just the casualty we're concerned with,
0:17:30 > 0:17:32it's the overall party.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34So we're going to give two a lift to their vehicle.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36A bit more.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39Lovely. She's good at that.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43- Where am I going?- Where you going? We're just going to check now.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45The deep gash in Joan's head is still bleeding.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51I'm sorry, Joan, but I need to stop this bleeding on your head.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54This is now the third dressing Darren has applied.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58It's a worrying sign so now what Joan needs is speed.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02OK, I'm just going to go forward over the edge there.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06- That kite isn't flying now, back to my right.- OK.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09- One three zero.- Cheers.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14She's gone down with quite a bang.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17She's got quite a significant laceration.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20She's obviously elderly and she's got some underlying conditions
0:18:20 > 0:18:22which are of concern to us.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25She had a lowered level of consciousness after banging her head
0:18:25 > 0:18:27which is also a concern.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31If you bang your head hard enough to knock yourself out that's a significant impact.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36Joan's now minutes from treatment
0:18:36 > 0:18:39but the team's about to receive a serious setback.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41Roger nine nine.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45I've referred this to LGI but the consultant's not happy.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49The regional trauma centre in Leeds is not going to accept Joan.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54What's nearest now? Ask him what's nearest to us.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59I think it'll be Harrogate now.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02We've been unable to take Joan to the major trauma centre
0:19:02 > 0:19:04for our region which is the LGI.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08We've been diverted into Harrogate which...
0:19:08 > 0:19:10Harrogate is a good hospital
0:19:10 > 0:19:13but we would have preferred to take her to the MTC.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16We've not been able to do that.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19We'll get her the care she needs at a different facility.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21We're letting down in Harrogate.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28Even though the NHS is a national health service,
0:19:28 > 0:19:32hospitals are wary about accepting patients from outside
0:19:32 > 0:19:35their catchment areas because of the costs involved.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38Joan's just found this out to her cost.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42But in the next few minutes doctors here in Harrogate
0:19:42 > 0:19:45will discover how serious her head injury is.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55Back to Helimed 99 now
0:19:55 > 0:19:58and the paramedics have a difficult case on their hands.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01Can I have a pulse check? Can I have a pulse check?
0:20:01 > 0:20:04We've got some activity.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06Fifty-year-old Mark Butterly is having a heart attack
0:20:06 > 0:20:10on the landing pad of Sheffield's Northern General hospital.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13Open your eyes for me, Mark. Well done.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16Mark is actually conscious, his eyes are open,
0:20:16 > 0:20:21he's even talking quietly yet his heart is fighting a losing battle
0:20:21 > 0:20:23- to continue beating. - We're going uphill.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25This is very rare.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31Take a deep breath, really big. Really deep breath.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36On the way, he has another cardiac arrest.
0:20:38 > 0:20:39Oxygen all right.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41Well done, Mark.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43I know it's scary, boss.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48At that stage he was still actually talking to us as he went into VF.
0:20:48 > 0:20:55We started CPR, one quick shock and again resumed normal circulation.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57- The doctor's here.- Hello.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01We've put a tube in your heart to see where the blockage is
0:21:01 > 0:21:03and try to unblock it.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07They'd found a large blockage in one of his coronary arteries.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09That's the reason why we brought him here
0:21:09 > 0:21:12rather than to one of the local district general hospitals.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15Half an hour ago he was at home with his brother,
0:21:15 > 0:21:18now Mark is in an operating theatre
0:21:18 > 0:21:21having the blockage in an artery cleared.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25An extraordinary sequence of events got him here
0:21:25 > 0:21:27but his life is still in the balance.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33He spends several days in the Northern General's cardiac unit
0:21:33 > 0:21:37but incredibly, a week later Mark is on the mend,
0:21:37 > 0:21:41well aware that he has been given a second chance.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44I can't remember landing in Sheffield.
0:21:44 > 0:21:45I must have passed out.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48The next thing I remember
0:21:48 > 0:21:53is laying on the table, doctor walking past me and, erm,
0:21:53 > 0:21:55said hello, who he was.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58And I said to him, "Am I going to die, Doctor?"
0:21:58 > 0:22:00He says, "I don't know."
0:22:01 > 0:22:03And the next thing...
0:22:05 > 0:22:10..this nurse whispered in my ear, "Nobody's died on his watch yet."
0:22:10 > 0:22:13So, that were a relief!
0:22:13 > 0:22:17Mark knew the risk of him having a heart attack was high.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21My immediate family, everyone has had a heart attack.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24My brother's had five heart attacks, who's me twin.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27My father's had a heart attack, my mother had a heart attack
0:22:27 > 0:22:29so it definitely runs in the family.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33Mark's now determined to give up smoking
0:22:33 > 0:22:35and to lead a healthier lifestyle.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37He thanks his brother for warning him
0:22:37 > 0:22:39how serious chest pains can be
0:22:39 > 0:22:42and the helimed team for shocking him back to life.
0:22:42 > 0:22:47It just doesn't seem real, like you can be brought back.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49Just doesn't.
0:22:54 > 0:22:59Building workers wear hard hats and high-vis vests for a reason.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Their industry kills one person a week on average
0:23:02 > 0:23:05and dozens more end up in hospital.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09Construction's a simple business.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12With concrete and steel, you can build virtually anything
0:23:12 > 0:23:16but today in East Yorkshire, there's been an unusual site accident.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20A man spraying concrete under pressure has been badly injured.
0:23:20 > 0:23:25Park in the field. That's where he wants us to land. Turning left.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28The team's patient was helping build an extension
0:23:28 > 0:23:31to this huge glass factory near the port town of Goole.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35The trouble is, so many builders are at work here,
0:23:35 > 0:23:37they don't know which gang needs help.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41They're waving us off, guys. They're saying it's over there.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44You've got wires in the way.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49- Why was he standing in the middle of the field then?- They're pointing.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Nobody's giving any indication at all here.
0:23:52 > 0:23:53There's lots of pallets and stuff here.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56If we land in there, that's going to start blowing around.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58The ladder will go over as well.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02Sammy Wills is off to find the patient.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05There you go, clear and out, all about.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09We asked for somebody with a high-vis jacket to show us where to land
0:24:09 > 0:24:11and if you look around you, there's about 100 high-vis jackets.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16We had no idea where to land!
0:24:16 > 0:24:19- Hello, sir.- This is Mick. - Hello, Mick.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21He's been concreting round here
0:24:21 > 0:24:24- and the piping has taken his feet from underneath him.- Hello, Mick.
0:24:24 > 0:24:29- He's got severe c-spine, severe spinal back tenderness.- OK.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33Mick Poole was jetting concrete when the high-pressure hose
0:24:33 > 0:24:35he was using was wrenched from his hand.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39It then covered him from head to foot in wet concrete.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42His workmates quickly stripped off his overalls,
0:24:42 > 0:24:44but his hair and face are coated.
0:24:45 > 0:24:51You've got concrete dust around your eyes. Has this got lime in it? Yeah?
0:24:51 > 0:24:57- What I want to do is just wipe it as best I can.- It just burns.- All right.
0:24:57 > 0:25:02Concrete is corrosive when wet. It's very alkaline
0:25:02 > 0:25:05and it's burning Mick's skin, but the pain in his eyes is worse.
0:25:07 > 0:25:08Closed.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16Keep them closed again, boss.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19That's a one-wipe wonder for each eye.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22There's no time to waste.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24They're driving Mick to the chopper.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27Their patient's eyes badly need flushing out.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31Concrete generates heat and it can cause permanent eye damage.
0:25:31 > 0:25:36That's it, guys, we're going towards the toes, to where my colleague is.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38And we'll try and get in before the rain.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42Mick's about to take off for Leeds General Infirmary.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46Ophthalmologists have already been put on standby to examine his eyes.
0:25:46 > 0:25:51There's a real possibility this accident could damage his eyesight.
0:25:51 > 0:25:56- How are your eyes feeling now? - Better now.- A bit better? Good.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59- Anything else burning?- No.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05Up and right.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10Doncaster radar, hello again. Helimed 99 out, over.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13We'll be staying low level due to the weather
0:26:13 > 0:26:14and we're routing to the LGI.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18Not only is Mick worried about his eyes,
0:26:18 > 0:26:20but he's in serious pain from his back.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25The concrete jet lifted him off his feet
0:26:25 > 0:26:29and the impact with the factory floor could have damaged his spine.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32X-rays will soon reveal the truth.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36And it's good news.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40Not only do doctors at the LGI find his back is just bruised,
0:26:40 > 0:26:45but his eyes soon recover and within days, he's back home.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48I were just covered from head to foot in concrete.
0:26:48 > 0:26:54One of the lads got a bucket of water and washed me all down.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58They were cleaning my face as best they could.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01I was full of concrete from head to foot.
0:27:01 > 0:27:06They just washed me all down. I can't thank them enough.
0:27:08 > 0:27:13I were that frightened that I were going to end up in a wheelchair.
0:27:13 > 0:27:21When I got to hospital and I eventually got on my feet,
0:27:21 > 0:27:22I thought, "Great stuff."
0:27:23 > 0:27:28Site safety is the number one priority for most builders.
0:27:28 > 0:27:29It has to be.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32Not only are lives at stake, but health and safety officials
0:27:32 > 0:27:36won't hesitate to prosecute any employer who bends the rules,
0:27:36 > 0:27:41but some accidents are unpredictable, to say the least.
0:27:47 > 0:27:54If we follow to the roundabout, it's a leisure-centre-cum-school complex.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58Helimed 99 is on its way to a building site in West Yorkshire.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01A two-tonne dumper truck
0:28:01 > 0:28:04has driven over one of the construction workers.
0:28:06 > 0:28:10Can you have a look behind me? Can you see the tail, or not?
0:28:13 > 0:28:16There are plenty of hazards on the site for pilot Andy Lister
0:28:16 > 0:28:17to avoid as well.
0:28:17 > 0:28:22It's a bit sloping. Think we'll be all right. I'll put it down here.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26Amazingly, having had the full weight of the vehicle run over him,
0:28:26 > 0:28:29builder John Pape got straight up.
0:28:29 > 0:28:33But the tyre track on his back shows what happened.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35- Have you any pain in your neck? - No, not at the minute.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38- Did it move your neck at all? - I can't tell you.
0:28:38 > 0:28:43My ribs are hurting a bit. It's gone over my right side.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45- Leg first.- Your right ankle.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47Despite seeming OK,
0:28:47 > 0:28:50the two paramedics are taking no chances with their patient.
0:28:50 > 0:28:54Serious crush injuries can be deceptive and deadly.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56We're still very suspicious
0:28:56 > 0:28:58because the full weight has gone over the top of him,
0:28:58 > 0:29:01which is how he describes it, and he's got markings on his back.
0:29:01 > 0:29:05Just because he's stood doesn't mean he hasn't done some serious damage.
0:29:05 > 0:29:10- We're going to play it safe. - How severe is the pain out of ten?
0:29:10 > 0:29:13Imagine somebody has given you a good whack in the back.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17Same on the hip. It's not severe.
0:29:17 > 0:29:21I'm a bit short of breath but it's not severe.
0:29:22 > 0:29:28- Out of ten, could you give it a score out of ten?- Four.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32John's been walking around since the accident. Not any more.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34Because a back or neck injury can't be ruled out,
0:29:34 > 0:29:38he'll be taking his flight to hospital lying down.
0:29:38 > 0:29:46- That right ankle is hurting him. - Is it? Your right ankle? This one?
0:29:46 > 0:29:50- Can you wiggle your toes?- Yeah, fine. - I think we'll leave them as they are.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55On move, then. Ready, steady, move.
0:29:55 > 0:29:56Watch your backs.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03The front of the truck has gone over his lower body, his leg,
0:30:03 > 0:30:04his right ankle
0:30:04 > 0:30:08and the other end of the truck has gone over his torso.
0:30:08 > 0:30:14- It went over the lot.- So you were laid lengthways?- Yeah.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17You're changing your tale now.
0:30:17 > 0:30:18Never trust a patient.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24The nearest hospital to the building site
0:30:24 > 0:30:26is the Leeds General Infirmary.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30John is a big man and the hospital team wants to rule out
0:30:30 > 0:30:32internal injuries.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35An ultrasound scanner is being used to look for damage
0:30:35 > 0:30:36in his abdomen.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39Few people escape unhurt from an accident like his.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42The tests prove inconclusive
0:30:42 > 0:30:45but after an evening in hospital and more scans,
0:30:45 > 0:30:48John is sent home battered and bruised,
0:30:48 > 0:30:51but soon back at work and keeping a watchful eye out
0:30:51 > 0:30:53for two-tonne dumper trucks.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58John fell victim to one of the biggest causes
0:30:58 > 0:31:00of building accidents, machinery.
0:31:00 > 0:31:04But there's an even bigger danger on site and that's gravity.
0:31:07 > 0:31:12The statistics have a top ten for the causes of site accidents
0:31:12 > 0:31:15and today's patient has had the most common of them all.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18He's fallen from a new floor under construction
0:31:18 > 0:31:19in this office building.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22He's fallen through a roof back there,
0:31:22 > 0:31:28about 12 to 15 feet onto concrete.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31The accident has shocked his colleagues,
0:31:31 > 0:31:34who found him surrounded by debris.
0:31:34 > 0:31:39Just a scream. That's all we heard. Heard it twice.
0:31:40 > 0:31:45Andy, obviously, working on this building site,
0:31:45 > 0:31:51has fallen through the roof of the first floor onto the rubble.
0:31:53 > 0:31:58All kind of tin things and debris underneath him.
0:31:59 > 0:32:03- Leave him with you now? - Yeah, thanks very much, mate.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06Andy, have you got any pain where I press?
0:32:06 > 0:32:10- You feel me touching you there? - Yeah.- And there?- Yeah.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12- Feels the same both sides.- Yeah.
0:32:12 > 0:32:16Paramedic Sam Burgess is an Army reservist.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18He's worked in Afghanistan.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20But the paramedics first called to this accident
0:32:20 > 0:32:22had to take some risks too.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24It was quite dangerous.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27There were things falling through from the first floor.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31The first priority was to move him somewhere safe so we could
0:32:31 > 0:32:36deal with him, because he wasn't co-operating with us, to be honest.
0:32:36 > 0:32:37He wasn't lying still.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43The ambulance service's HART rescue team has been called to the scene,
0:32:43 > 0:32:46but thanks to the paramedics and Andy's workmates,
0:32:46 > 0:32:48it's not going to be needed.
0:32:48 > 0:32:5099, Roger, can you stand HART down, please?
0:32:50 > 0:32:55Patient is extricated and on an extrication board now.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57They're not required, over.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00Most members of the helimed team have been to fatal accidents
0:33:00 > 0:33:03on building sites and they treat all patients
0:33:03 > 0:33:07who've fallen more than ten feet with extreme caution.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10Serious injuries, especially to the head,
0:33:10 > 0:33:12can have few symptoms at first.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14Doesn't seem to be doing too badly.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17He's complaining of some pain down his right-hand side,
0:33:17 > 0:33:19so potentially he's some chest injuries
0:33:19 > 0:33:22and he's got a nasty soft-tissue laceration to his head.
0:33:22 > 0:33:23From the height that he's fallen,
0:33:23 > 0:33:26he seems to have got away with it quite lightly,
0:33:26 > 0:33:28but we're going to fly him to the LGI, they can do some scans
0:33:28 > 0:33:31and some more in-depth stuff and take it from there, really.
0:33:31 > 0:33:36Sam's optimism won't make any difference to the precautions
0:33:36 > 0:33:37the team will take.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39Andy will remain immobilised
0:33:39 > 0:33:42until he arrives at Leeds General Infirmary.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45We're going to get you across to the helicopter,
0:33:45 > 0:33:47get you settled and comfortable on there
0:33:47 > 0:33:51and then we'll get you some more painkillers sorted out. All right?
0:33:51 > 0:33:58Helimed 99, over. Can we get the OK, please?
0:34:01 > 0:34:03With head injuries, there's always potential
0:34:03 > 0:34:06there could be something more serious like a slow bleed there.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08At the moment, there's nothing to suggest that.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11All the results are stable, there's nothing that we can find
0:34:11 > 0:34:13on examination to suggest a head injury.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16However, as with all these things,
0:34:16 > 0:34:18the best place to be is at a trauma centre
0:34:18 > 0:34:20so they can do any appropriate tests
0:34:20 > 0:34:23to determine what has actually happened.
0:34:23 > 0:34:27Hopefully, he'll be discharged with no residual deficits.
0:34:29 > 0:34:31Helimed 99 approaching the LGI for landing.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38Doctors discover Andy's injuries are much worse than first thought.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42He has a depressed skull fracture,
0:34:42 > 0:34:45potentially a very serious injury.
0:34:45 > 0:34:50Compound fracture of the skull, compound fracture of the shoulder,
0:34:50 > 0:34:56eight broken ribs down my back which makes it really awkward to breathe.
0:34:56 > 0:35:01Andy now has a hole in his skull and a long recovery ahead of him.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06The bone on the compound fractures had pushed through into my brain.
0:35:06 > 0:35:13They had to cut it all out, take the broken bone out and leave it open.
0:35:15 > 0:35:19They said that'll heal up in the next nine or ten months on its own.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21They won't want to touch it.
0:35:21 > 0:35:22Andy also has severe injuries
0:35:22 > 0:35:26to a finger which will require plastic surgery and
0:35:26 > 0:35:30he has clear memories of the freak accident that almost killed him.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32It was the steel sheeting.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35As I was chopping it off, it swung round underneath
0:35:35 > 0:35:38and it hooked onto the end of my steel-toecap boots
0:35:38 > 0:35:41and it dragged my boot off the edge.
0:35:41 > 0:35:42I just went with it.
0:35:42 > 0:35:47Then I hit the girders at the bottom and that's when the lights went out.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53Believe it or not, there is actually a top ten list
0:35:53 > 0:35:56of most dangerous power tools and behind the circular saws,
0:35:56 > 0:36:01coming in at number three, is the angle grinder.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03Builders rely on them.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05They can cut through stone, metal and concrete
0:36:05 > 0:36:10and just about any part of the human anatomy they come into contact with.
0:36:10 > 0:36:14In the North Yorkshire market town of Pickering,
0:36:14 > 0:36:15a builder is in trouble.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19Jonathan Berry was using an angle grinder to cut through metal
0:36:19 > 0:36:22when it kicked back and sliced into his arm.
0:36:22 > 0:36:26He was losing blood so quickly, workmates drove him
0:36:26 > 0:36:28to a nearby doctor's surgery.
0:36:28 > 0:36:32- 98 receiving.- 98, go ahead.
0:36:33 > 0:36:3798, I've just spoken to the crew that's still at the doctor's surgery.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39They can't stop the bleeding.
0:36:40 > 0:36:45I think they're going to get the patient on any second and come round.
0:36:48 > 0:36:53Pilot Tim is going to land on the only available bit of open land,
0:36:53 > 0:36:55Pickering Town's football pitch.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57Fortunately, the paramedics
0:36:57 > 0:37:01have managed to stem the bleeding for now.
0:37:01 > 0:37:02What's he done?
0:37:02 > 0:37:05He's got a four-inch angle grinder, cutting disc on it
0:37:05 > 0:37:07cutting some tube, it's kicked back.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09Brachial artery.
0:37:10 > 0:37:14They have used a material called Celox which was developed
0:37:14 > 0:37:16for military casualties.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19It's only used in desperate situations.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21When it comes into contact with blood,
0:37:21 > 0:37:26it swells up to form a clot which rapidly stops bleeding.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28It now looks like the bleeding is under control.
0:37:28 > 0:37:33That was a major concern. It is very deep and it's arterial.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37We've got him stable and we'll just take him along to hospital.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39Jonathan has been given pain relief
0:37:39 > 0:37:43and a drip is now replacing some of his lost fluid.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45Gone straight through his brachial archery.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48He's got Celox in and a tourniquet, times noted down.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51GP's got a line in, he's had pain relief.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54His pain has come down from seven to a three now.
0:37:54 > 0:37:55Is it below his elbow?
0:37:55 > 0:37:58Right on here, right across his brachial. Right across it.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03Despite his ordeal, he is in good spirits.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07- The angle grinder bites back, hey? - Certainly did.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09Saves you shaving your armpits.
0:38:09 > 0:38:13Having only just escaped losing his arm,
0:38:13 > 0:38:16he's now comfortable enough to focus on a more minor complaint.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19- I've got an itchy nose. - Whereabouts?- On the end.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23Sorry.
0:38:24 > 0:38:28Jonathan is flown to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31He has several operations on his badly damaged arm,
0:38:31 > 0:38:34but he will need a lot of physiotherapy
0:38:34 > 0:38:36before he can return to the site.
0:38:38 > 0:38:43The builders hurt at work there. Thankfully, all are recovering well.
0:38:43 > 0:38:47Now, 80-year-old Joan Bell's fall on the limestone pavement
0:38:47 > 0:38:50of the Yorkshire Dales left her with serious injuries
0:38:50 > 0:38:54and in Harrogate Hospital, her condition isn't good.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57This is Joan, she's 80 years young.
0:38:57 > 0:39:01She's slipped on some rocks and banged her head.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03She's got quite a significant laceration from here,
0:39:03 > 0:39:07riding up to the top of her head, approximately six to eight inches long
0:39:07 > 0:39:10which is gaped and full thickness down to the bone beneath.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13We've got a significant amount of blood loss from this head wound
0:39:13 > 0:39:17and that's the third dressing over the top of the other two.
0:39:18 > 0:39:22X-rays will soon determine how serious Joan's head injury is.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26But over the next two days, her condition deteriorates.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29It's discovered she's blind.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32Swelling around her eyes appears to be the cause
0:39:32 > 0:39:35but it's a worrying time for her husband, Ronald.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38I thought she wasn't my wife at all
0:39:38 > 0:39:40because she certainly didn't look like it.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46I got quite a shock, really.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49- This on your left arm.- Thank you.
0:39:50 > 0:39:54This is going to go on this finger on your right hand.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56The head injury has left Joan with badly bruised
0:39:56 > 0:40:00and swollen eyes, meaning she can no longer see.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02- Can you feel me touching them all?- Yes.
0:40:02 > 0:40:06But she still remembers that trip to Malham clear as day.
0:40:06 > 0:40:11My aim was to go to the limestone pavement.
0:40:11 > 0:40:16We managed to get there all right, without too much difficulty.
0:40:16 > 0:40:22Got within a few yards within sight
0:40:22 > 0:40:26and then I saw a little scene that I wanted to photograph.
0:40:26 > 0:40:31I said, "Oh, I'll just go and photograph that." That was it.
0:40:31 > 0:40:32I never got the photograph.
0:40:32 > 0:40:37I tripped on a stone and went crashing down to the ground
0:40:37 > 0:40:39and hit my head on another stone.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41As soon as I saw the blood,
0:40:41 > 0:40:44I knew it was serious because there was a lot of it.
0:40:44 > 0:40:49I put my hand up to my head here, like that,
0:40:49 > 0:40:56and I felt what I thought was the skin rolling off my forehead.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00I suppose it must have been the blood.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04I understand that head injuries are very serious.
0:41:04 > 0:41:08I'm lying there thinking, "I hope my brains are not coming out."
0:41:08 > 0:41:12But then, Joan makes an incredible recovery.
0:41:12 > 0:41:16- Oh, you can see.- My eye just opened.- Wow!
0:41:16 > 0:41:18We could do with bathing that one a little bit
0:41:18 > 0:41:21and I reckon you'll be able to see out of that one too.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24I just opened my eye. I can see people that I hadn't seen before.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27Wow! I'm just going to shine a light in your eye a second.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34That's lovely.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36I reckon if we give that one a good bathe,
0:41:36 > 0:41:39- you'll be able to see out of that one too.- Yes.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42A few weeks later, Joan's home and recovering
0:41:42 > 0:41:47and the accident hasn't prevented her pursuing her favourite hobby,
0:41:47 > 0:41:49even if her right arm is broken.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54But this landscape painter also loves to see her subject.
0:41:54 > 0:42:01We like to get out, but I feel now I may have lost a bit of confidence.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06I'll struggle and I'll get it back again.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08I'll try again.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10I'm not going to give up.
0:42:10 > 0:42:14Joan is now fit to enjoy outings with her grandchildren again
0:42:14 > 0:42:18and she's not allowing the accident to curb her love
0:42:18 > 0:42:20for the great outdoors.