0:00:03 > 0:00:08If you're critically ill or seriously injured, seconds count.
0:00:08 > 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 > 0:00:17The Yorkshire Air Ambulance flies at 150mph
0:00:17 > 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, everyone. - Keep going, mate!
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 > 0:00:37And we're going to pop him off to sleep with an emergency anaesthetic.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39..and town centres into helipads.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42- All clear on the left? - Just behind you, Tim.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45..and 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,
0:00:58 > 0:01:03a family biking trip ends in a terrible accident.
0:01:03 > 0:01:04The van just missed his dad
0:01:04 > 0:01:06and he realised that his son was behind him.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08I just seen him go flying in the air.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11There's a difficult rescue on the river bank.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15Just rolled right into the river and we're just so lucky she didn't hit her head.
0:01:15 > 0:01:16Atishoo!
0:01:16 > 0:01:20The team discovers the bizarre cause of a man-sized crash.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23I just started sneezing, went dizzy and then bang.
0:01:23 > 0:01:28And a day trip to a fishing village leaves a visitor stranded on the mud.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31There was a big crack, and he might have broken his ankle.
0:01:36 > 0:01:41Perhaps it's Team GB's triumph on two wheels at the London Olympics,
0:01:41 > 0:01:43or just the price of petrol,
0:01:43 > 0:01:46but thousands more people are taking up cycling.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49It may be healthy and environmentally friendly
0:01:49 > 0:01:53but the fact is cyclists are far more vulnerable
0:01:53 > 0:01:55than any other road user.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01When the summer finally arrives in North Yorkshire,
0:02:01 > 0:02:06there's no shortage of sights to see but often too many sightseers.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10So some cyclists like to get off the beaten track.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12But, in a sleepy village near York today,
0:02:12 > 0:02:14there's been a serious accident.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18We don't have enormous detail...
0:02:18 > 0:02:20Is it the crossroads right in't middle of village? Over.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22'Yes, yes...'
0:02:24 > 0:02:28A family cycling party was riding through the village
0:02:28 > 0:02:30when the youngest member, seven-year-old Harry Nattress,
0:02:30 > 0:02:35was caught up in a collision with a car and a van.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39- Harry, what's hurting?- My leg. - Your leg?- Yeah.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42Now he's in the care of Helimed dispatcher Dave Gardner,
0:02:42 > 0:02:44who lives in the village.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47The car has hit the van and the van's knocked him off.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49It's the van that's behind us.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53A white car came out of the junction and hit the van,
0:02:53 > 0:02:55and pushed the van into the boy.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58I just, like, I just seen this body go up in the air
0:02:58 > 0:03:01and come down, and I realised it was my nephew.
0:03:01 > 0:03:02Ow!
0:03:02 > 0:03:04Harry's mum and dad were powerless to help
0:03:04 > 0:03:08when their son was thrown from his bike into a hedge
0:03:08 > 0:03:10and then onto the pavement.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12His dad was in front.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15And the dad, the van just missed his dad
0:03:15 > 0:03:17and he realised that his son was behind him.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22All his dad can do now is watch
0:03:22 > 0:03:25as paramedics struggle to stabilise his son.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28He has a nasty cut to his chin
0:03:28 > 0:03:31but his most serious injuries may not be visible.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34Has he been knocked out at all, as far as we are aware?
0:03:34 > 0:03:36He was a bit, a bit unconscious at first.
0:03:37 > 0:03:38Of all his injuries,
0:03:38 > 0:03:42it's his head that's most worrying paramedic Tony Wilkes.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44BOY CRIES
0:03:44 > 0:03:46We're going to make you all better, Harry.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49Harry, you tell me if this hurts at all, mate. Does that hurt you at all?
0:03:49 > 0:03:51Ow!
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Their young patient is clearly extremely distressed.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57There we are. You'll be OK. We'll get you sorted out, Harry.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59We're going to make you all better, Harry.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02His bike's in pieces and his helmet is badly damaged -
0:04:02 > 0:04:06they're all signs he could have a serious head injury.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09I heard a very loud crash noise.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12I'm Community First Responder so I just shot out my front door,
0:04:12 > 0:04:14told my daughter to ring the ambulance,
0:04:14 > 0:04:18and found the young boy on his side, on the pavement,
0:04:18 > 0:04:22a lot of blood coming out of his... looked like his head but it wasn't.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24I ascertained it was coming out of his mouth.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29The family in the car also need treatment -
0:04:29 > 0:04:33one of them was thrown from the back seat into the windscreen -
0:04:33 > 0:04:36but Harry must be the priority of the Helimed team
0:04:36 > 0:04:39because of the severity of his injuries.
0:04:39 > 0:04:40Ow! Ow! Ow!
0:04:40 > 0:04:42It's distressing to listen to,
0:04:42 > 0:04:46but crying is often a good sign in cases like this.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48There you are, Harry.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51But then Harry's condition suddenly deteriorates
0:04:51 > 0:04:54and he becomes quiet and subdued.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58Open your eyes, matey, for us. Harry!
0:04:58 > 0:05:03This could be the first sign of the head injury the paramedics fear.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05Open your eyes, matey, for us.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07He must be flown to hospital quickly.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09Harry!
0:05:18 > 0:05:22Thanks to improved health care and modern nutrition,
0:05:22 > 0:05:25Britain has an ageing population.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28But today's pensioners aren't happy to sit at home and watch telly -
0:05:28 > 0:05:34the over 65s are amongst the biggest users of our national parks.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39The picturesque village of Hathersage, in Derbyshire,
0:05:39 > 0:05:42has several quirky historical connections.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45Robin Hood's sidekick Little John
0:05:45 > 0:05:47is believed to be buried in the churchyard
0:05:47 > 0:05:50and it's claimed the author Charlotte Bronte
0:05:50 > 0:05:52set parts of her novel Jane Eyre here.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56Now, Hathersage is a popular starting point
0:05:56 > 0:05:59for people who want to explore the Peak District National Park
0:05:59 > 0:06:05but today one elderly walker has taken a tumble in the woods.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08We believe a 72-year-old female
0:06:08 > 0:06:11has fallen into the river,
0:06:11 > 0:06:13between 10 and 29 feet.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16And the dispatcher's trying to get an update for us
0:06:16 > 0:06:17but not come back with anything as yet.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23Any fall over ten feet is potentially life threatening.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26And, with the added danger of fast-flowing water,
0:06:26 > 0:06:29it's definitely a job for the air ambulance.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36- Is this Ladybower?- This is... Yeah, it is Ladybower, here...
0:06:36 > 0:06:39Even the most experienced navigator can have difficulty
0:06:39 > 0:06:43finding patients in woodland and the misty weather doesn't help.
0:06:43 > 0:06:49- The river is actually... Picks up centre of the dam.- Yeah.- And it's...
0:06:49 > 0:06:52- That leads down...- Yeah. - ..round onto the grid.
0:06:55 > 0:06:56Hiya, mate. Hiya.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59Retired nurse Mary Griffiths
0:06:59 > 0:07:02fell down this ten foot bank into the river.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06She's managed to drag herself out with the help of her friend Sheila,
0:07:06 > 0:07:07who's a retired doctor.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10No c-spine pain but she's got some thoracic central spinal pain.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12- OK, all right.- All right.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Erm, and that's as much as I've done, really, cos I've waded across.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18- OK. Oh, right, you come across from that side?- Yeah, I came...
0:07:18 > 0:07:20- Was she in when you...? - No, she was here.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22- She was in exactly this position when I arrived.- OK.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24I need to get you just back up onto here, so you are safe.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27We don't want you going in as well, all right?
0:07:27 > 0:07:28And take the dog.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31That would be great. If you could just look after the dog.
0:07:31 > 0:07:32All right, mate.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34Mary's little dog followed her into the river
0:07:34 > 0:07:37and hasn't left her side since.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40But paramedic Lee needs to move her out of the way
0:07:40 > 0:07:43so he can help her owner up the bank.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47Mary was out on a picnic with Sheila and her grandchildren
0:07:47 > 0:07:48when she slipped.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51We were just looking at wildlife and things,
0:07:51 > 0:07:54and she had her walking stick but she, sort of, turned.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58She was pointing, and I was looking ahead cos I was looking for the rest of the party,
0:07:58 > 0:08:02and I was about there, and I could see her topple but I was too far.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05And then she just rolled right into the river
0:08:05 > 0:08:08and, of course, it's rocky so she's obviously bashed...
0:08:08 > 0:08:10It's just so lucky she didn't hit her head.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13- What happened? Did you just lose your footing?- Yeah.- Yeah?
0:08:13 > 0:08:14Oh, simple thing and just straight down here.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17- Yeah, I rolled over, and over, and over.- Yeah.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19Now everyone's out of the way,
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Lee and the paramedic, who was first to arrive,
0:08:22 > 0:08:26can assess Mary properly and work out how to get her up the bank.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Mary, have you got a finger that I can use to pop this little peg on?
0:08:29 > 0:08:31Although it's not far,
0:08:31 > 0:08:33they need to move her without causing further damage
0:08:33 > 0:08:35to her neck and spine.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38Is that painful, there, where I'm touching. Is that hurting?
0:08:38 > 0:08:42'It looks like, sort of, right sided shoulder blade.'
0:08:42 > 0:08:45So, it's probably that she's landed on that area.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47We're treating for t'worst, basically.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49Just making sure her neck and her back's OK.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53Mountain Rescue is on their way -
0:08:53 > 0:08:57they have the right equipment and skills to lift Mary safely.
0:08:57 > 0:08:58Ow!
0:08:58 > 0:09:02Pilot Steve Waudby is on another important mission.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05Mary dropped her keys when she fell into the river
0:09:05 > 0:09:07and Steve is fishing them out.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10Looking a bit damp, I don't know if he's been in!
0:09:10 > 0:09:14- Was there just one bunch of keys? - Yeah.- Oh, well, we've got them. Yes.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17Right, who's going to pull me up?
0:09:17 > 0:09:19Big pull because I'm a big heavy pilot -
0:09:19 > 0:09:21I've had sausages and chips for lunch!
0:09:21 > 0:09:22Thank you very much.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26It's a welcome sight when Mountain Rescue turn up,
0:09:26 > 0:09:28although even they will find it tricky
0:09:28 > 0:09:31to manoeuvre the stretcher in this location.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35Mary is cold and wet, and has suspected broken bones.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39At 72-years-old she could easily deteriorate,
0:09:39 > 0:09:42so she needs to be moved off the river bank fast.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55Every paramedic has tales to tell of patients who have lived
0:09:55 > 0:09:58to leave hospital against all the odds.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01But sometimes they're called to an incident that looks so serious,
0:10:01 > 0:10:05survival is almost inconceivable.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12Helimed 98 is heading for a major accident
0:10:12 > 0:10:16that has closed the main road from Scarborough to York.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18Just down here look, that bridge.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22Yes, we're over the scene now. A64.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24Wagon's on its side crashed into the bridge,
0:10:24 > 0:10:27it's actually on the 64 itself, over.
0:10:29 > 0:10:34Mark O'Brien's 40-tonne truck has smashed into a concrete bridge.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38His cargo of corn has covered the carriageway.
0:10:38 > 0:10:39- Too steep to get down there.- Yes.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41Do you want us to block the carriageway?
0:10:41 > 0:10:44- Got to block them both ways, mate for us to get on.- Yes, no problem.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47That would be lovely. Have we got one guy that's injured?
0:10:47 > 0:10:50- Yes. He's down there.- Is he walking? - Bad gash to the head.- Right.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53- Look at the wagon and it looks... - Yes.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55Stop the other side and I'll get him to move down.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57Super, I'm coming down to you.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02Incredibly, Mark has managed to climb out of what's left of his cab,
0:11:02 > 0:11:05but Darren needs to check his injuries
0:11:05 > 0:11:10and that involves a precarious slide down the steep embankment.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12Do you want me to hold that while you go down?
0:11:12 > 0:11:15No, way... Put it down in front of me.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22Just a quick slip and tumble later,
0:11:22 > 0:11:26Darren's able to get his first look at the state of Mark's truck.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29That looks decidedly second-hand, doesn't it?
0:11:29 > 0:11:31Do you remember everything that happened to you?
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- I just started sneezing.- Right.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37- I grabbed my nose, went dizzy and then bang.- Yes.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39'The guy was talking.'
0:11:39 > 0:11:42How he's stepped away from this I really do not know,
0:11:42 > 0:11:45really do not know. Luckiest man alive.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49So have you got any pain in your chest?
0:11:49 > 0:11:51- Yes, just there.- Can you take a deep breath for me?
0:11:55 > 0:11:56- Does that hurt?- Just there, yes.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58It hurts when you take a deep breath?
0:11:58 > 0:12:01It's obvious they wouldn't be able to get their patient
0:12:01 > 0:12:03back up that bank.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05So the helicopter is coming to him.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13- There's the sign. Just by the copper.- Yes.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15So we'll go in-between that...
0:12:15 > 0:12:20- that red circle sign and down.- OK.
0:12:26 > 0:12:27WOMAN: What happened though? Did it..?
0:12:27 > 0:12:29I just started sneezing.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32You know how you get right good sneezes,
0:12:32 > 0:12:35and I grabbed my nose, went dizzy and then bang.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38He can move all his arms and legs, got no back pain at all,
0:12:38 > 0:12:39chest clear bilateral,
0:12:39 > 0:12:42GCS is 15, remembers everything that's happened to him.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46All the emergency services are used to big crashes around here,
0:12:46 > 0:12:51but all are amazed that Mark managed to get himself free.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54As soon as you got there you thought, "That's it, he's gone."
0:12:54 > 0:12:57And he's just sat, sat there holding his head, talking.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59- Out of the..?- Out of the cab.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01We were fully expecting for this to be a fatality
0:13:01 > 0:13:05and I think the first report was in fact that it was a fatality.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08But the driver was sat on the Armco barrier,
0:13:08 > 0:13:09he's got a very nasty head injury,
0:13:09 > 0:13:12but it looks like he's going to survive, luckily.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14Massive forces involved
0:13:14 > 0:13:17for a vehicle that size to collide with a bridge.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20You know, the impact is incredible.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22Just very pleased he's been able to get out
0:13:22 > 0:13:24with the injuries he has sustained.
0:13:24 > 0:13:25Take a breath.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27HE INHALES DEEPLY
0:13:27 > 0:13:30And out, that's lovely. OK.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32No pain at all, you said, in your back?
0:13:32 > 0:13:33Daz's thorough examination
0:13:33 > 0:13:38rules out any serious neck or back injury.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40He's got quite a nasty laceration to his scalp
0:13:40 > 0:13:44and he's got some chest pain which is made worse by movement.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46So we think he might have, you know,
0:13:46 > 0:13:47just bruised his sternum or whatever.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49He says he had a seatbelt on.
0:13:49 > 0:13:50He's fully with it,
0:13:50 > 0:13:54but because of the mechanism, when you look at the wreckage,
0:13:54 > 0:13:58then we're going to err on the side of caution and take him.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00What you need to do, just watch your head, for God's sake.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03Get yourself up on that step for me.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06It's clear Mark has had a miraculous escape.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08Right, hang on there...
0:14:08 > 0:14:10But looks can be deceiving.
0:14:10 > 0:14:15Anything change as far as how much pain you're in? No?
0:14:17 > 0:14:21With both carriageways closed and traffic backing up for miles,
0:14:21 > 0:14:24Mark is taking the only route to hospital
0:14:24 > 0:14:26and he's enjoying his flight.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30That hurt, and that's him giving me a thumbs up
0:14:30 > 0:14:33and he's just recently trashed a 40-tonne truck.
0:14:33 > 0:14:34HE LAUGHS
0:14:34 > 0:14:37It looks like it's made out of tinfoil.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41If you look at the impact that his truck's made onto the bridge,
0:14:41 > 0:14:44it's significant, to say the least, it's destroyed it completely.
0:14:44 > 0:14:49Um, to say he's got out of it and walked away, is quite astounding.
0:14:49 > 0:14:55He's sustained what is relatively a minor head injury
0:14:55 > 0:14:56and he's able to move.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59We've done a thorough examination of him top to toe
0:14:59 > 0:15:03and other than his heart rate's going, you know, at a fair old speed,
0:15:03 > 0:15:07which you would expect after an experience like that,
0:15:07 > 0:15:09I'm not massively concerned.
0:15:09 > 0:15:14- I think we should get a set of numbers off him for tomorrow.- Deffo.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16How many? Do we need six?
0:15:16 > 0:15:18- We need six, yes. - Get six numbers off him.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20If Mark knows
0:15:20 > 0:15:22the EuroMillions winning combination,
0:15:22 > 0:15:25he's not saying.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28Yeah, that's from nine, eight, overhead York to land.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35Just bring that one round, that's it and bring the other one next to it.
0:15:35 > 0:15:40OK. Nice and steady, big step down. OK.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43I think any passenger
0:15:43 > 0:15:45would be in pieces and wouldn't be alive,
0:15:45 > 0:15:48so it's a result that he's just walked away from it.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52So while the police and the fire service are left
0:15:52 > 0:15:54to deal with what's left of Mark's wagon,
0:15:54 > 0:15:57he's being treated for surprisingly little.
0:15:58 > 0:16:03A few stitches, a scratched knee and a sprained thumb
0:16:03 > 0:16:07are all he's left with after such a catastrophic crash.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10Just makes me feel very lucky that I got out of it.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14Just totally amazed that I've walked out, climbed out
0:16:14 > 0:16:16and walked away from it
0:16:16 > 0:16:21with just a few minor injuries really.
0:16:21 > 0:16:26So, yeah, I was a very lucky lad.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28Very lucky indeed.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Back to North Yorkshire now, where the team's fighting to save
0:16:44 > 0:16:48a young cyclist badly hurt in a serious road accident.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53Harry Nattress's condition is worrying the Helimed team.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56After showing signs of the pain his injuries are causing,
0:16:56 > 0:16:59he's suddenly become quiet and subdued.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01It's a bad sign.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04Paramedic Tony fears his patient may have a head injury.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10The crash has left the paramedics with four people to treat.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12I'll see how my partner's doing,
0:17:12 > 0:17:14make sure there's nobody else to transport.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17But the priority has always been seven-year-old Harry.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20- There we are. - HARRY SCREAMS
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Harry is once again becoming agitated.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26On the one hand, it's good sign
0:17:26 > 0:17:28but agitation can also point to a brain injury.
0:17:28 > 0:17:33Cerebral irritation is a common side effect of head injuries.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36The trouble is, it's hard to tell whether this
0:17:36 > 0:17:40is a young boy's natural response to a very serious accident,
0:17:40 > 0:17:43or a symptom of a life-threatening condition.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46Paramedic John Baxter must determine which.
0:17:46 > 0:17:51- Harry, how old are you? Harry?- Seven. - Have you just finished school?
0:17:51 > 0:17:55He knows the key to treating Harry is reassurance.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59Listen, look at me. Look at me, Harry, you're all right.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01What we're doing, we've put these blocks around everybody
0:18:01 > 0:18:04because that's what we do. All right?
0:18:04 > 0:18:09More ambulances are arriving to take those from the car to hospital.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12OK. Ready, steady. That's it, buddy.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15But Harry's trip will be much faster.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18He'll be flying straight to the head injury specialists
0:18:18 > 0:18:20at the Leeds General infirmary.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22Because he's quite agitated and screaming
0:18:22 > 0:18:24and throwing himself around,
0:18:24 > 0:18:28we just need him a little bit calmer before we fly him.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31He's got a puncture wound in his leg,
0:18:31 > 0:18:33not sure whether he's got a head injury as well.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37He's got a lot of cuts on his chin, grazes on his arm and stomach
0:18:37 > 0:18:38where he slid on the road, as well,
0:18:38 > 0:18:41so he's obviously in a lot of pain as well.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44So, with such a long list of injuries,
0:18:44 > 0:18:46it's vital Harry gets to hospital quickly.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50We're going to be bringing this seven-year-old child,
0:18:50 > 0:18:52knock-down patient, in, called Harry.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56He has been basically knocked down by a van.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58Injury-wise he's just got abrasions to his chest.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00We're querying a head injury,
0:19:00 > 0:19:03there's nothing obvious apart from a laceration to his chin.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06There is some damage to his cycle helmet.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08They fear his very visible cuts
0:19:08 > 0:19:13and bruises could be masking much more serious internal injuries.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17For Harry and his mum, this flight really is critical.
0:19:26 > 0:19:31In the Peak District, a tricky operation to rescue a pensioner
0:19:31 > 0:19:35who fell down a steep river bank is about to reach its climax.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40A pleasant country walk with friends has ended up
0:19:40 > 0:19:44rather unpleasantly for retired nurse Mary Griffiths.
0:19:44 > 0:19:49She's stuck part way down a river bank with suspected broken bones.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53She's slipped, lost her footing and gone head over heels into the river.
0:19:53 > 0:19:54Found herself
0:19:54 > 0:19:57opening her eyes under the water.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01She's made her own way back into the position where she is now with Andy.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04But she's got some right shoulder discomfort,
0:20:04 > 0:20:07we query that she's maybe fractured her collarbone,
0:20:07 > 0:20:12and some associated pain around her ribs maybe got a rib fracture.
0:20:13 > 0:20:1872-year-old Mary is in an uncomfortable position
0:20:18 > 0:20:20and she's getting cold.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23The Mountain Rescue team has been called in to move her up
0:20:23 > 0:20:26the bank and onto the air ambulance.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30Get a few people, we'll move her up, we'll do it in two blocks,
0:20:30 > 0:20:32sort of take her up to here, on the ground,
0:20:32 > 0:20:36and then one more, and then load her onto the air ambulance
0:20:36 > 0:20:39and relocate her down to slightly nearer the road,
0:20:39 > 0:20:42where the road ambulance will then transport her to hospital, I believe.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46- You hold on to me, my duck, all right?- Push with your leg.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48That's it. Well done.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51First, they have to manoeuvre Mary onto the stretcher
0:20:51 > 0:20:53without twisting her neck.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56Even though she's had some pain relief,
0:20:56 > 0:20:58her ribs and shoulder are hurting.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02This is what these guys are trained for.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04They deal with these type of extrications,
0:21:04 > 0:21:06so we'll leave it up to them.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09They've got a paramedic of theirs down there leading it,
0:21:09 > 0:21:11who was first on the scene and waded across the river to her,
0:21:11 > 0:21:15so we'll just leave it up to them and give them a hand.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19Mary's friend Sheila is a retired GP.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22She helped drag her out of the water.
0:21:22 > 0:21:23After getting her out,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26she just couldn't move because it was too painful
0:21:26 > 0:21:30and I couldn't lift her, I mean I could hold her and just make sure
0:21:30 > 0:21:32she didn't slip back, but I couldn't...
0:21:32 > 0:21:34Just hung onto the back of her trousers.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37We're just going to manoeuvre you into the helicopter, all right?
0:21:37 > 0:21:41Although Mary's injuries are painful, they are not serious enough
0:21:41 > 0:21:43for her to be flown all the way to hospital,
0:21:43 > 0:21:48so the crew just take her on a two minute hop to the waiting ambulance.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50Good lift. OK.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53- We've got some people to the right, Steve, can you see them?- Visual.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55We'll just go towards the centre of the field.
0:21:55 > 0:22:01Yep. All nice and clear up front. Very good. And away she goes.
0:22:02 > 0:22:07And soon she's on her way to the Northern General in Sheffield.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09Can you just watch t'traffic?
0:22:09 > 0:22:11We'll go down t'road, it'll be a bit better.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19Two days later, and Mary is still recovering in hospital.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23As a former nurse, she understands her injuries better than most,
0:22:23 > 0:22:26including the names of her broken bones.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28I had X-rays
0:22:28 > 0:22:31and scans as well,
0:22:31 > 0:22:35and I've got fractured ribs
0:22:35 > 0:22:42and scapula, sternum and clavicle...
0:22:42 > 0:22:43five ribs.
0:22:43 > 0:22:48I find it difficult to deep breathe really and I know I must do that.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51I should imagine I'll find it very difficult to function
0:22:51 > 0:22:53when I get home.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57Mary was about to sit down for a picnic with her friend
0:22:57 > 0:23:02and her friend's grandchildren when she stumbled and fell.
0:23:02 > 0:23:08It was a bit of a muddy place and the grass was wet, I think, as well.
0:23:08 > 0:23:14I just slipped over, to this deep drop,
0:23:14 > 0:23:20'and rolled over and over, and kept thinking I'd never stop.
0:23:20 > 0:23:21'But I was in the water.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27'It doesn't put me off walking but I think I'll avoid'
0:23:27 > 0:23:30walking on the edges of steep banks.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40Holidaying at home has a lot going for it -
0:23:40 > 0:23:45no language barrier, no foreign exchange and no airport queues
0:23:45 > 0:23:48and we even have the beaches here in the UK too.
0:23:52 > 0:23:57The Yorkshire coast is one of the most dramatic parts of the country -
0:23:57 > 0:23:59from the huge chalk cliffs of Flamborough Head,
0:23:59 > 0:24:03to the tiny fishing village of Robin Hood's Bay.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06This coast has a worldwide reputation,
0:24:06 > 0:24:10but the path which runs along the top of these imposing cliffs
0:24:10 > 0:24:11can be dangerous.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15Continue now with top approach. One, two, five, decimal zero.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19And, today, the Helimed team has been called to a walker in trouble.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23- RADIO:- 'They're now a bit further up the coast.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25'It's north of that coastguard lookout
0:24:25 > 0:24:26'and there's a marker on the map,
0:24:26 > 0:24:29'Castle Chamber, they're on the path above there. Over.'
0:24:29 > 0:24:31We have somebody who sounds like
0:24:31 > 0:24:32they've been out walking
0:24:32 > 0:24:35on the coast because it's a lovely day.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37They've either fallen,
0:24:37 > 0:24:40or they're unable to make it back
0:24:40 > 0:24:45to a place of safety. We're not quite sure exactly where it is.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49It's quite a long coastal path from Robin Hood's Bay up to Whitby.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53It's quite a pleasant walk, but once you get out
0:24:53 > 0:24:56it's a bit of a trek round the coastline.
0:24:56 > 0:25:02The path forms part of the 110-mile-long Cleveland Way.
0:25:02 > 0:25:07Andy, Tony and Tim know their patient is down there somewhere...
0:25:07 > 0:25:09Somebody has just pointed that way.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12..it's just a case of finding exactly where.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14It's a red jacket down there. What's...?
0:25:14 > 0:25:16Just walk us out there.
0:25:18 > 0:25:23- Is that them there?- Yeah, they're waving on your left side.
0:25:31 > 0:25:37- 68-year-old Richard Hyde has a badly broken ankle.- How are we doing?
0:25:37 > 0:25:41But before paramedic Andy can assess his patient, he first has to
0:25:41 > 0:25:45cross the bog which caused the accident in the first place.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48- If I fall in this mud now...- Don't do it.- Is that what you've done?
0:25:48 > 0:25:51- That's what I've done, just on there.- Right.- There was crack.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55We'd been walking along this cliff path and apparently in summer
0:25:55 > 0:26:00it's not too bad, but we've had so much rain recently that it's got
0:26:00 > 0:26:03pretty boggy. And there's a bit of gate and some rocks
0:26:03 > 0:26:06and a bit of log put up to try and make a little pathway
0:26:06 > 0:26:09across the bog, but my dad was just getting across it trying to avoid
0:26:09 > 0:26:13the water and he slipped to the side, fell into the bush
0:26:13 > 0:26:15and let out a big scream, there was a big crack,
0:26:15 > 0:26:17and he might have broken his ankle.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20It feels sort of swollen and things but mainly it feels loose.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24- It feels loose. What, round the ankle joint itself?- Yeah.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27The Hyde family have been joined by their family from Australia
0:26:27 > 0:26:30for this Yorkshire coastal walk.
0:26:30 > 0:26:36We came over for my cousin's wedding, and that was last Saturday,
0:26:36 > 0:26:42and then we were just in Scarborough looking around and adventuring.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44- How old does that make you?- 68. - You don't look 68.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46I've never broken a bone in my life.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49It's been raining a lot more here than we had expected
0:26:49 > 0:26:52and packed for, and been a lot colder.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54But suddenly it's all sunny right now.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56It just feels sort of numb.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00You can't do owt with it? Are you all right if I remove your boot?
0:27:00 > 0:27:04Of course, yes. The people coming the other way heard the noise.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07- Did it make a massive crack?- Yeah.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10We were expecting a jeep or some guys in orange jackets or something.
0:27:10 > 0:27:15We saw this helicopter coming over the horizon. My dad said, "Oh no!"
0:27:16 > 0:27:18I'm just going to try and feel a pulse in your foot.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20It's basically twisted over.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23He's heard a bit of a crack and he can't put weight on it,
0:27:23 > 0:27:24it feels floppy.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26He says it's not very painful but it's very swollen.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29With all the rain we've had over the past couple of weeks
0:27:29 > 0:27:32it's extremely muddy. So, obviously, we try to make sure we don't slip,
0:27:32 > 0:27:36as well, because another casualty wouldn't help the situation.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41All the way up there, little steps.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47This is our first day out walking over this side of the country
0:27:47 > 0:27:49and it appears to have gone very horribly wrong.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52But hopefully it will be OK.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55We are actually heading back to London tomorrow
0:27:55 > 0:27:58so a bit of bad luck, I'm afraid.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04We're going to take him down to Scarborough Hospital,
0:28:04 > 0:28:09which is only about ten miles away, so a couple of minutes flight for us.
0:28:09 > 0:28:10Once it's had a bit of rain,
0:28:10 > 0:28:13this path gets quite treacherous at times so it's not surprising
0:28:13 > 0:28:15that he's gone over on his ankle.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17It's also beautiful as well, this area of the world,
0:28:17 > 0:28:21so I can imagine why people do come walking down here.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26Sadly, this spells the end of Richard's walking holiday
0:28:26 > 0:28:30but he hopes to complete the cliff-top path next year.
0:28:36 > 0:28:40Getting away from it all is a treat enjoyed by thousands of families.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42But addresses around here
0:28:42 > 0:28:44can be hard to reach if there's an emergency.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47Particularly if that address
0:28:47 > 0:28:49is just a grid reference on a moorland plateau
0:28:49 > 0:28:522,000 feet up in the Peak District.
0:28:52 > 0:28:56Helimed 99 has been called in to help hiker Jack Hartshorne
0:28:56 > 0:28:59and his friend Jessica, who are on walking trip
0:28:59 > 0:29:00on the highest peak in Derbyshire,
0:29:00 > 0:29:06Kinder Scout, but it's no holiday if you can't walk up here.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09When we were going down a river bank, my foot went straight
0:29:09 > 0:29:12into the mud and I tried to get it out
0:29:12 > 0:29:15and it twisted and twisted my knee.
0:29:15 > 0:29:19This top area is all one big plateau and, as you can see around me,
0:29:19 > 0:29:23it just flattens in stretches for a few miles in every direction.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27Just fairly featureless peat.
0:29:27 > 0:29:33The problem is it's really undulating and it's really easy to go over
0:29:33 > 0:29:35on these tussocks and turn an ankle,
0:29:35 > 0:29:37which is what this young lad has done.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40So, you're able to put weight on it, able to bend it,
0:29:40 > 0:29:45flex it, extend it, it's just going down on it is excruciating.
0:29:45 > 0:29:46It's late in the day
0:29:46 > 0:29:50and Jack has chosen the wrong spot to get stuck in the mud.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53We haven't seen one person round here since we've been up here,
0:29:53 > 0:29:58so it's just like in t'complete middle of nowhere.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00We were a bit scared that it would get a bit dark,
0:30:00 > 0:30:03because we have walked up here for like three hours now, so...
0:30:03 > 0:30:05we just didn't know how long it was going to take, but...
0:30:05 > 0:30:08- What a place to get stuck, eh? - You've done the right thing.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11- It's very difficult to get to you when you're up here, in't it?- Yeah.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15- It's nice coming up these locations, but if summat goes wrong...- Yeah.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18- I just didn't want to risk falling down again.- No.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21I wouldn't have be able to pull this leg out.
0:30:21 > 0:30:22You'd have been struggling back.
0:30:22 > 0:30:26Thanks to Helimed 99, Jack and Jessica are no longer stranded,
0:30:26 > 0:30:29but Al's a Mountain Rescue leader in his spare time
0:30:29 > 0:30:33and he has some footwear advice for the future.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36- You need to buy a proper pair of boots.- You need some of them.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40None of these going to the pub jobs, you know. You need some ones
0:30:40 > 0:30:44that come right over your leg, then you won't fall over and twist.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48I've just been speaking to Buxton Mountain Rescue team,
0:30:48 > 0:30:51who're also on their way to this job and, um,
0:30:51 > 0:30:55we're going to meet them at Edale
0:30:55 > 0:30:58and drop this young chap and his friend off down there
0:30:58 > 0:31:00into the care of the Mountain Rescue team
0:31:00 > 0:31:02and, then, they'll look after him from there.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08The 2,000-foot descent from Kinder takes two minutes
0:31:08 > 0:31:11and the young couple, who could've ended up spending
0:31:11 > 0:31:16a cold night on the hillside, are grateful that they are safe.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20It may not have been the holiday trip out they had planned,
0:31:20 > 0:31:22but it has been an adventure.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25There's one way of really taking
0:31:25 > 0:31:28your home comforts with you on holiday,
0:31:28 > 0:31:29and that's buying a caravan.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33But driving around with a half-tonne mobile home attached to your car
0:31:33 > 0:31:36takes more skill than you may imagine.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40It's the hottest day of the year
0:31:40 > 0:31:44and huge crowds are enjoying the sun on the beaches of the east coast.
0:31:44 > 0:31:49But thousands of unlucky trippers are enduring temperatures
0:31:49 > 0:31:53in the high 70s stuck in a jam on the M62 motorway,
0:31:53 > 0:31:55thanks to this caravan.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59This caravan just started snaking and, um, then just tipped over.
0:31:59 > 0:32:03Overhead the scene now. Could we, um, could you get hold of the police
0:32:03 > 0:32:07and ask them to shut both carriageways, please? Over.
0:32:07 > 0:32:08Pilot Steve can't land
0:32:08 > 0:32:11until both carriageways of the motorway are shut.
0:32:11 > 0:32:15So he's gate-crashing a wedding reception at this roadside hotel
0:32:15 > 0:32:18- to drop off paramedic Darrell. - One side has stopped.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22I don't think they realise we need the other side stopping as well.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27The caravanners were on their way to Scarborough
0:32:27 > 0:32:31when the driver lost control of her car and caravan.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34Started snaking and we just couldn't get it back
0:32:34 > 0:32:37and it just flipped the car over.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41Luckily, the driver of the car behind the overturned 4x4
0:32:41 > 0:32:44was an off-duty paramedic.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47She's got out herself, but she's now complaining
0:32:47 > 0:32:50of sort of lower thoracic upper lumbar pain,
0:32:50 > 0:32:52but she also says she's got a pain in her groin.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54- She felt her leg gave way when she stood on it.- Yeah.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57But there's a problem for the Helimed team.
0:32:57 > 0:33:01Police have yet to close the west-bound carriageway.
0:33:01 > 0:33:03Steve still can't land.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06Yeah, just, er... Helimed 99, over.
0:33:06 > 0:33:11The car's driver, Jacqueline Wilcock, is in great pain.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14Her back and pelvis are the main concerns.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17- So you can wiggle your toes, love, yeah? Wiggle your toes.- Yeah.
0:33:17 > 0:33:22You can feel that? You can feel it here? Yeah? OK.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26Jackie's top-of-the-range caravan is two days old.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29It's badly damaged.
0:33:29 > 0:33:35But at last, Helimed 99 is down and ready to fly her to hospital.
0:33:35 > 0:33:36It appears that she's got pain in her back,
0:33:36 > 0:33:38so we're going to put her on the long board.
0:33:38 > 0:33:42We've given her morphine for her pain. She's in quite a lot of pain.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46But other than that, it's looking like quite a lucky escape, really.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50Jackie's rescuers are keen to get her to hospital as soon as possible.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53But the motorway police have their priorities too.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55We need to try and get it open as quick as possible.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57It's a very hot day,
0:33:57 > 0:34:01there's a lot of people sat in their cars, a lot of engines still running.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04We don't want to inconvenience people too much.
0:34:04 > 0:34:08It's been a long journey to the coast for thousands.
0:34:08 > 0:34:13But Jackie too faces a long road to recovery.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16She has serious injuries and she's still on crutches
0:34:16 > 0:34:21when she and her partner Brian get their repaired caravan back.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25They hope to be back in Scarborough next summer.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31Yorkshire's tourist trail takes in some pretty rugged places,
0:34:31 > 0:34:36but medical emergencies can happen in the most unlikely locations.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40Bridlington is one of the east coast's
0:34:40 > 0:34:42most popular seaside destinations.
0:34:42 > 0:34:47Families flock from miles around to its two Blue Flag beaches
0:34:47 > 0:34:49and, like many traditional coastal resorts,
0:34:49 > 0:34:52it's also a popular spot with the retirees.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54The crew have requested us to go out there,
0:34:54 > 0:34:58cos they've got a patient that they believe has got a leaky AAA,
0:34:58 > 0:35:00which is an ascending aortic aneurysm.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03The aorta is the largest artery in the body,
0:35:03 > 0:35:06carrying blood from the heart down to the abdomen.
0:35:06 > 0:35:10If it bursts, a patient can bleed to death very quickly.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14Anthony Davison-Scott has recently undergone surgery
0:35:14 > 0:35:15to repair his aorta,
0:35:15 > 0:35:19but local paramedics fear it's now about to burst.
0:35:19 > 0:35:24But how do you repair it? It's not like you can put a patch on it.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27- You do, actually.- Is it?- Yeah. - It's like a puncture repair.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30Landing in Bridlington may be challenging.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32The land ambulance is just a short distance
0:35:32 > 0:35:35from the beach in a public car park.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38Got that dog off the lead to the left-hand side of the field.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42Fortunately, the windy weather has put off many day-trippers,
0:35:42 > 0:35:45so pilot Chris Attrill has plenty of space to land the chopper.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48Anthony's partner Pauline knows how serious the situation may be.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52She's also aware that they're a long way from a major hospital.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55He had an operation a couple of weeks ago for an aneurysm
0:35:55 > 0:35:59and I'm afraid it's just taken the wrong way again,
0:35:59 > 0:36:02so he's having to go to Hull. It's an emergency
0:36:02 > 0:36:05and we can't thank this service enough.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09They're absolutely wonderful, they really are. They're amazing.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12The ground paramedics have spotted that Anthony's stomach is pulsating.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16This could be a sign that his aorta is about to burst.
0:36:16 > 0:36:18Worst-case scenario, we're just assuming it may be
0:36:18 > 0:36:22his aorta is dissecting, so it's starting to leak,
0:36:22 > 0:36:26And, from that worst-case scenario, it can suddenly rupture
0:36:26 > 0:36:30and you can lose most of your body's sort of blood volume internally
0:36:30 > 0:36:32very quickly within minutes, so it really is
0:36:32 > 0:36:35a life-threatening condition, if that's what is happening.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37- Happy.- OK?
0:36:37 > 0:36:39If Anthony's aorta bursts,
0:36:39 > 0:36:42there'll be little the paramedics can do to help.
0:36:42 > 0:36:46He needs to be in a hospital with cardiothoracic surgeons on hand.
0:36:46 > 0:36:48It's important that he gets down to hospital.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52They'll do some scans, have a look to see if that is the case
0:36:52 > 0:36:54and, if it is, he'll be in theatre relatively quickly.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58This is a nervous time for Anthony's partner.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00She can't fly with him.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03But speed outweighs everything in a case like this.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06Yeah, roger, we'll be lifting from t'scene in about two minutes.
0:37:06 > 0:37:10The road journey to Hull can take an hour in the tourist season.
0:37:10 > 0:37:14This way, Anthony can be in hospital in little more than ten minutes.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17- Tony, what are you like pain-wise at the moment?- OK.
0:37:17 > 0:37:22- All right?- Fine.- OK. That sickness has not returned?- No.- Good, OK.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24Comfortable as we are, then?
0:37:24 > 0:37:28- Apart from the back. - Apart from your back?- Yeah.- OK.
0:37:28 > 0:37:33Anthony reaches Hull Royal Infirmary just in time
0:37:33 > 0:37:36and, after yet more repairs to his aorta,
0:37:36 > 0:37:38he is allowed to rejoin his partner in Bridlington
0:37:38 > 0:37:43to continue his convalescence by the sea.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47He was ashen, he looked to me... He was at death's door,
0:37:47 > 0:37:51to be quite honest with you. It was quite scary.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54It was just something else when the air ambulance came.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58I didn't think he would make it. And here he is now.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02Within myself, I feel very good,
0:38:02 > 0:38:07'but as far as walking's concerned, I can't go very far. The doctor said
0:38:07 > 0:38:12that, um, or the surgeon said that it would be
0:38:12 > 0:38:17three or four months before I was right again, to be able to do that.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21But, um, all in all, it's going very well.
0:38:21 > 0:38:25The tourists who took home some unwanted souvenirs
0:38:25 > 0:38:28in the form of bandages and X-rays.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31But what about Harry, the young cyclist badly hurt
0:38:31 > 0:38:34in a crash witnessed by his entire family?
0:38:37 > 0:38:39'This is Helimed 98, just lifting.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43'Heading for the LGI. ETA approximately eight minutes, over.'
0:38:43 > 0:38:46OK, Mum, like I say, he's going to be really shocked
0:38:46 > 0:38:49at what's happened, he'll be well upset with himself.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51Half an hour ago, Harry Nattress and his mum
0:38:51 > 0:38:54were on a family bike ride in the country.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57Sometimes it's not a bad thing when they're like this,
0:38:57 > 0:39:00going really quiet on us.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03Now a trauma team at Leeds General Infirmary
0:39:03 > 0:39:06is awaiting his arrival on Helimed 98.
0:39:06 > 0:39:10- At first, he was blubbing. - Right.- He'd been stunned.- Right.
0:39:10 > 0:39:15- He started crying.- And then he started to sort of come round.- OK.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18It looks like it's a good job he had his helmet on anyway.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20- That's taken a bit of a bash, hasn't it?- Yeah.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23Paramedic Tony Wilkes is concerned
0:39:23 > 0:39:25that Harry may have a serious head injury.
0:39:25 > 0:39:29After being knocked off his bike, Harry hit a van,
0:39:29 > 0:39:33was catapulted into a hedge and then fell to the pavement.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35He was wearing a helmet, but they're designed
0:39:35 > 0:39:39to protect the wearer from only one impact.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42- Just keep your arms in, buddy, keep you nice and warm.- Ow!
0:39:42 > 0:39:47- You're doing really well, mate, aren't you? Star patient.- Ah!
0:39:47 > 0:39:50Harry is about to undergo a battery of tests
0:39:50 > 0:39:53to screen him for head and internal injuries.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56- A car's pulled out of a T-junction, collided with a van...- Ow!
0:39:56 > 0:39:58..which has collided with him.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01- Right.- Knocked him off his bike about three foot into a hedge...
0:40:01 > 0:40:04After suffering three impacts,
0:40:04 > 0:40:08the LGI team will be taking no chances with their young patient.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13Doctors find that Harry has a collapsed lung
0:40:13 > 0:40:16and several broken ribs. Within minutes of his arrival,
0:40:16 > 0:40:19a surgeon makes an incision in his chest
0:40:19 > 0:40:22to release fluid preventing him breathing properly.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25X-rays show he has also broken his jaw.
0:40:25 > 0:40:30But the good news is he has no head injury and, a few days later,
0:40:30 > 0:40:34he's recovering on a normal ward, Mum still by his side.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38- OK?- Just too tired.- Are you tired?
0:40:38 > 0:40:42- Do you want to go back to sleep? - Yeah.- You can do.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45'He doesn't actually remember anything.
0:40:45 > 0:40:50'He can remember cycling, but doesn't remember anything from the impact.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53'He remembers very little about being in hospital,
0:40:53 > 0:40:56'um, I think there's still a lot of shock there'
0:40:56 > 0:41:00to come to terms with and he does get a little bit upset
0:41:00 > 0:41:03if I talk to him about it, because I think
0:41:03 > 0:41:05there's probably a bit of fear that he can't remember
0:41:05 > 0:41:08and also what's happened to him.
0:41:08 > 0:41:12But he's doing tremendously well and he's been an absolute trooper.
0:41:12 > 0:41:13He's been brilliant, I'm very proud of him.
0:41:13 > 0:41:17- Hold my hand, darling.- Ow, ow! - I love you. I love you.- Here we are.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20- They'll make you all better.- You'll be OK, we'll get you sorted, Harry.
0:41:20 > 0:41:24'There's nothing that we could do other than look on
0:41:24 > 0:41:27'and that helplessness is awful.'
0:41:27 > 0:41:28From the minute we got into the ambulance,
0:41:28 > 0:41:31I knew he was in the right hands and I knew he was going to get better.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34'The first thing the policeman said,
0:41:34 > 0:41:36'is what everybody in the hospital said,
0:41:36 > 0:41:38'"Thank goodness he was wearing a helmet."'
0:41:41 > 0:41:44- My helmet... - Mm-hm?- It was two days old
0:41:44 > 0:41:47- and got destroyed. - I know, but it was a good job
0:41:47 > 0:41:51it was a new one, isn't it? It did the job, didn't it?
0:41:51 > 0:41:55And a few weeks later, Harry is at home.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58His jaw's still healing, so cycling's off the agenda,
0:41:58 > 0:42:02but his mum's delighted with his progress.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05His recovery has been nothing short of amazing
0:42:05 > 0:42:09and I think it's fair to say the comment that kids bounce
0:42:09 > 0:42:13really does apply here, because he's bounced back,
0:42:13 > 0:42:15not just health-wise, but in himself.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18Um, there's still little bits that...
0:42:18 > 0:42:21He's not quite as cheeky as he was, but he will be, I know he will be.
0:42:21 > 0:42:25If I go on my bike again,
0:42:25 > 0:42:30um, I'll probably be a bit shaky, because...
0:42:30 > 0:42:34I'll probably be a bit afraid of getting knocked off my bike again.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39'If you close your eyes, you can still see it
0:42:39 > 0:42:42'and I can still hear the bang and I can still see where he was,
0:42:42 > 0:42:45'but I really don't want to think about that, you know, I just
0:42:45 > 0:42:49'want to think about the fact that he's here, he's well and, really,'
0:42:49 > 0:42:53how lucky as a family we are that we're all back together
0:42:53 > 0:42:55and everything's just good again.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58And I'm pleased to say, Harry's now back on his bike
0:42:58 > 0:43:00and, despite his accident,
0:43:00 > 0:43:03the family's determined to keep on cycling.
0:43:12 > 0:43:15Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd