0:00:03 > 0:00:06If you're critically ill or seriously injured, seconds count.
0:00:06 > 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 150 miles an hour,
0:00:17 > 0:00:21and thanks to its speed, hundreds of patients are alive today,
0:00:21 > 0:00:24saved 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 > 0:00:37We're going to pop him off to sleep with an emergency anaesthetic, OK?
0:00:37 > 0:00:39..and town centres into helipads.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42- 'Building on the left.' - 'Just behind you, Tim.'
0:00:42 > 0:00:44And every day, the helimed team's skill,
0:00:44 > 0:00:47speed and courage is saving lives.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58Today on Helicopter Heroes...
0:01:00 > 0:01:02Paramedic James risks his life
0:01:02 > 0:01:04to reach an injured man in a raging river.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06If the patients get cold,
0:01:06 > 0:01:08they can get all sorts of associated complications.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13This car's just crashed and a little girl is trapped under it.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16I just saw something through the corner of my eye, looked,
0:01:16 > 0:01:19and there was a car flying through the air and it landed on top of her.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22There is a freak accident down on the farm.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25He's kind of fallen out of the man basket. An air ambulance is here.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28And the team answers an injured vicar's prayers.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31She's twisted her ankle. She heard it crack.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39This spectacular scenery of the Yorkshire Dales
0:01:39 > 0:01:42has always attracted tourists.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44Millions come here to enjoy the views,
0:01:44 > 0:01:47the wildlife and the quaint market towns.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50But for all its beauty, this is a dangerous place,
0:01:50 > 0:01:54especially if you've come for adventure.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58Your arms across your chest, legs together, big drop into the pool.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03This is the latest extreme sport.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06It's called canyoning.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11And the treacherous rivers of the Yorkshire Dales
0:02:11 > 0:02:13are where it's played.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16Jumping up to 20 feet and allowing yourself
0:02:16 > 0:02:19to be carried downstream in fast-flowing water is exciting,
0:02:19 > 0:02:21but dangerous.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23And even experts can be caught out.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28'Reports are coming in via ambulance control that, apparently,
0:02:28 > 0:02:31'someone has jumped in the river and has sustained a fracture of the leg.'
0:02:31 > 0:02:35Their patient's stranded at the bottom of a steep ravine.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Out of sight, around this rock, mountain rescue experts
0:02:38 > 0:02:42are trying to save John Finney, who was canyoning with his sons
0:02:42 > 0:02:45when he slipped and plunged down a rock face.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49Paramedic James Vine spent two years working in Australia,
0:02:49 > 0:02:52where he became well-versed in the dangers of rescuing
0:02:52 > 0:02:55the victims of watersports accidents.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57- Dr Nick Howlett's with the casualty now.- OK.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00Just straight down here, over the edge. It's very steep.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05It's a long way down, and they're going to have to be careful
0:03:05 > 0:03:08if they're not to share their patient's predicament.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12The rescue is attracting a lot of attention.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16- I'm one of the air ambulance doctors.- He's got an open fracture.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19A broken bone is sticking out of the man's leg.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21It's a very serious injury.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25The rescuers know the local rocks are lethal when wet,
0:03:25 > 0:03:28and they're taking no chances.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31It's just round the corner here, we can't see him from here
0:03:31 > 0:03:34and I'm not going to go and clamber up on the rocks
0:03:34 > 0:03:37and get in these chaps' way. They're obviously doing a good job,
0:03:37 > 0:03:39they've done this plenty of times,
0:03:39 > 0:03:42the last thing they need is us getting in the way of them.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45So we'll wait till they get him out, and then we'll take over the care.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48These rivers roar out of the network of caves
0:03:48 > 0:03:50which honeycombs the Dales.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53Never warmed by the sun, their waters
0:03:53 > 0:03:56rarely get above 10 degrees Celsius.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58Flying doctor Simon Ward is concerned.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00I presume that his head's out of the water,
0:04:00 > 0:04:02so we're not looking at a drowning as such,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05but we'd be concerned with hypothermia really.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07Even though it's at the end of summer,
0:04:07 > 0:04:09the water is going to be very cold at this time of year
0:04:09 > 0:04:12and fast flowing, so it doesn't have a chance to warm up.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14When patients get cold, they can get all sorts of
0:04:14 > 0:04:17associated complications so, really, we want to try and do things
0:04:17 > 0:04:18as quickly and safely as possible.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24John's rescuers have secured him to the rock face where he fell,
0:04:24 > 0:04:26but he's still up to his waist in water.
0:04:26 > 0:04:31Paramedic James is also concerned for the safety of the rescue team.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34Obviously the gentleman's on the slack water on the other side.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37Our concern is that if anyone goes in at this stage,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40we've not got as many people as we'd like here at the moment,
0:04:40 > 0:04:43so we're just trying to think where the patient's going to go,
0:04:43 > 0:04:46and where the potential people are going to go.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49And the slack water will bring him into this spot here, hopefully.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51Can we get another one down here,
0:04:51 > 0:04:54with another throw line on this far bank, in case anyone goes in?
0:04:54 > 0:04:58There's one person on this side, but the water's going to take them
0:04:58 > 0:05:00round that way, round the quick edge.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02James wants to see their patient.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06But, to do that, he's going to have to abseil down the rock face.
0:05:06 > 0:05:07'OK, I'm on site.'
0:05:07 > 0:05:11He's no climber, and this is beyond the call of duty.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17Hi, mate. How are you doing? James. Pleasure, Andy.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21But James is determined to examine John personally.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23Even if it means joining him in the river.
0:05:25 > 0:05:26Right, James, that's wet feet now.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29How are we doing, pal?
0:05:29 > 0:05:32- What's your name?- John.- John. Tell you what, my feet are wet now.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34John, what were going to try and do,
0:05:34 > 0:05:36is just put a wee tube into your vein,
0:05:36 > 0:05:38it's just going to be easier said than done.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41What we'll do is see if we can get one in now.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43You're a wee bit cold, but...
0:05:43 > 0:05:47Their patient is in good spirits, but that could change.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51It's nearly an hour since his leap into the river ended in agony,
0:05:51 > 0:05:55and the cold is beginning to get to John and his rescuers.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59More worryingly, hauling him 40 feet up the rock face to safety
0:05:59 > 0:06:01will be fraught with danger.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12Accidents are usually unpredictable,
0:06:12 > 0:06:15the result of a freak series of coincidences
0:06:15 > 0:06:18coming together with disastrous consequences.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21But one day in West Yorkshire, a little girl found herself
0:06:21 > 0:06:26at the centre of bizarre mishap that almost defies belief.
0:06:27 > 0:06:32The local fish and chip shop is the heart of many a Pennine village.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34- Thank you, love. See you.- Bye.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37And on a sunny day, younger diners often prefer
0:06:37 > 0:06:40to tuck into their takeaway straight from the paper.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43But outside this chippy in the village of Cowling,
0:06:43 > 0:06:45there's been a freak accident,
0:06:45 > 0:06:49and an 11-year-old's life is in the balance.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52This car left the road, demolished a dry stone wall,
0:06:52 > 0:06:55and landed on a girl eating her lunch.
0:06:55 > 0:06:56She's now trapped.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00Often, when there's a child involved, you are dealing with their parents
0:07:00 > 0:07:03and it gets quite emotive and emotional.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06You just have to let your medical training rule your head
0:07:06 > 0:07:09and do what's best for the patient at the time.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13Scene's to the right. Come round.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15I've got it, yeah.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18Paramedic Sammy Wills knows this will be a difficult case.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21Dave Appleby is a father of two.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24It'll be his job to get as close as possible to their young patient.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27Cowling is a former mill village.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31A lot of these onlookers know the girl who's under the car.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34They don't know whether she's still alive.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37Luckily, members of the public had already started jacking
0:07:37 > 0:07:39prior to our arrival.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43We've chopped the vehicle and placed airbags under as a precautionary measure,
0:07:43 > 0:07:45just to stop the car from coming down any further.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49She was sat eating the fish and chips on the table and chairs outside
0:07:49 > 0:07:52and I just saw something through the corner of my eye.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55I looked, and there's a car flying through the air
0:07:55 > 0:07:56and it landed on top of her.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59She's under the driver's side, she's pinned.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02- I don't really know the mechanism of the injury as yet.- Right.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05Ella Varley's head is under the engine block,
0:08:05 > 0:08:09and her body is pinned by the car's exhaust system.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11The Fire Service were a bit unsure
0:08:11 > 0:08:14as to which way to get the vehicle to lift off her.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17The problem was they weren't quite sure if they lifted one side then
0:08:17 > 0:08:20that would put weight on the other, which would cause more problems.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22It's a miracle she's survived.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25She's fully with it at the minute, is she?
0:08:25 > 0:08:27- She is at the moment, yes.- Right.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29She's obviously very scared and frightened.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32Oh, right. She will be.
0:08:32 > 0:08:37The paramedics must work together as a team to get Ella out.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40One is supporting her head, another her hips,
0:08:40 > 0:08:43and Air Ambulance paramedic, Dave, her legs.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47Ella, give me your hand, darling. Give me your hand.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49Are you all right? OK.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52We're going to have you out in a minute. All right, love?
0:08:52 > 0:08:55She is so tightly wedged under the car,
0:08:55 > 0:08:57it is pressing down on her chest.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01Her rescuers are worried they cannot properly examine her for injuries.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04Dave's just trying to get a collar on her, all right?
0:09:06 > 0:09:09What about lower down? Is this all right, Ella?
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Does that feel all right?
0:09:11 > 0:09:13SHE SHOUTS
0:09:13 > 0:09:16OK, sweetheart. OK.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19It's not possible to lift this any further, is it?
0:09:19 > 0:09:21Not without sending the front down.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23All right, mate. All right.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26Ella is getting increasingly distressed.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29It could be a sign her condition is changing for the worse.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31They must get her out, soon.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42On average, one farm worker dies each week
0:09:42 > 0:09:44in an accident somewhere in the UK.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48It's an injury where danger's part of everyone's working life,
0:09:48 > 0:09:49and when something goes wrong,
0:09:49 > 0:09:53it's often the helimed team that has to pick up the pieces.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58Working in remote places with heavy machinery
0:09:58 > 0:10:00can be a potentially lethal mix.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03And today, a farmer in the Pennines is in real trouble.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07- So you witnessed him come out, did you?- Yeah.
0:10:07 > 0:10:12- How long was he not responding to you for, then?- Couple of minutes.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14Malcolm Pearson is badly injured.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16He'd been using a chainsaw
0:10:16 > 0:10:19while standing in a metal basket fastened to a forklift tractor
0:10:19 > 0:10:22on a sloping field.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26Luckily, his apprentice, Scott, found him almost immediately.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29You see where he fell. I couldn't keep him on the floor.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32Yeah that's fine, mate, you've done the right thing.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34Scott was working with Malcolm, when his boss fell
0:10:34 > 0:10:38and landed on the branch he had been trying to chop down.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42He was just dropping the tree down back there, it swung down wrong,
0:10:42 > 0:10:45hit the man basket and took him out of the man basket.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47Headfirst onto the floor.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50So, he's lost balance and he's come down.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53- The tree there, it's fallen wrong, swung, hit the basket...- Right.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56He had a chainsaw in his hand, or something like that. It's down here.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58- Has he?- Yeah, chainsaw down there.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00You like to live dangerously, don't you?
0:11:02 > 0:11:04Malcolm's most worried about his wrist,
0:11:04 > 0:11:07but the paramedics are concerned about his neck and back.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10After such a long fall, which knocked him unconscious,
0:11:10 > 0:11:14there is potential for very serious spinal injuries.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17When I pressed down on your neck initially, you said it hurt.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20- Is that still there? - A little bit, yeah.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24But while the paramedics try and work out
0:11:24 > 0:11:27how to get Malcolm safely out of the pile of logs he's fallen into,
0:11:27 > 0:11:30Scott has a very difficult phone call to make.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34Your dad's had a little accident.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38He's kind of like fallen out of the man basket,
0:11:38 > 0:11:40and air ambulance is here.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43Trees hit it. Trees hit it, yeah.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47There are still here now, but they're taking him to Blackburn.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49Normally, in this situation,
0:11:49 > 0:11:52they try to roll patients onto the spinal stretcher.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54But with so many branches in the way,
0:11:54 > 0:11:57that's not going to be possible.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Instead, they're having to think differently.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03I think we might have to do a bit of both now.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Malcolm landed face first.
0:12:05 > 0:12:06So, as well as his other injuries,
0:12:06 > 0:12:09it looks like he'll be needing some dental work.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- Have you lost any teeth then?- Yeah.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15- Not lost any complete?- No.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19- And Guy got you to feel around. There's nothing loose in there?- No.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23Malcolm's farm is high up on the Yorkshire and Lancashire border.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26To drive to hospital from here could take up to an hour.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28He's had a period of unconsciousness,
0:12:28 > 0:12:32one of his workmates said it was for about two minutes.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36But with his potentially life-changing injuries,
0:12:36 > 0:12:40he's soon flying to the regional accident and emergency department.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45Doctors at Blackburn Royal are waiting
0:12:45 > 0:12:47to assess Malcolm's injuries.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Back on the farm, his apprentice, Scott,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53is in charge of the livestock.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57A welcome relief after the drama of the boss's fall.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59I was a mess.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Things go so quick, you don't know what to do, you're in shock.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06You just think your boss is in a right mess on the floor,
0:13:06 > 0:13:09and it all happens so fast.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12But just two days later, the boss is back on the farm.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15Despite a fall that could have killed him,
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Malcolm's injuries turned out to be relatively minor.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25Having just sustained a sprained wrist and a broken wrist,
0:13:25 > 0:13:29and some broken teeth, they found no other injuries on me
0:13:29 > 0:13:32and released me from hospital within two days.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38Within four or five days, I was back wandering around the farmyard,
0:13:38 > 0:13:40doing a few light duties.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43He admits, though, it will be some time
0:13:43 > 0:13:46before he's back in his basket, chopping down trees.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49But he's very aware things could have been so much worse
0:13:49 > 0:13:53if it wasn't for his quick-thinking apprentice.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55Scott was quite a hero, really.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57He had things under control,
0:13:57 > 0:14:01he'd fished a mobile phone out of my pocket
0:14:01 > 0:14:05and got the emergency services on the way.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07When I woke up in hospital,
0:14:07 > 0:14:12he was the first guy I actually saw hovering over my head.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15I really do owe much of my life, I suppose, to Scott.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17He saved the day.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32Now, let's return to rapids high in the Yorkshire Dales,
0:14:32 > 0:14:34where the operation to rescue a tourist,
0:14:34 > 0:14:38badly injured after jumping onto rocks, has reached a critical stage.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45John Finney was on a day trip from his home in Hull with his sons,
0:14:45 > 0:14:49when he slipped, leaping into a deep pool, and broke his leg.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52Members of the local mountain rescue team
0:14:52 > 0:14:55have been joined by flying paramedic, James Vine.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57Their patient's being given pain relief,
0:14:57 > 0:15:00but the most serious problem facing them
0:15:00 > 0:15:02is how to get him out of the water.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04- The leg through that one.- Yep.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09Can you pass it through and then back to me?
0:15:09 > 0:15:11They're using a floating splint,
0:15:11 > 0:15:14a gadget developed for the cave rescues
0:15:14 > 0:15:17the team is often called on to perform.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19Well done, mate. Stick with it.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25But in the swirling waters of the ravine, it's hard work.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30It's not wonderful, we'll just have to go with it.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32- It feels great.- It feels great?
0:15:32 > 0:15:35What we're going to do,
0:15:35 > 0:15:37we're going to drag you up the rock, out the water.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40We can sort you out a bit better, then.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43Right, slowly now. Go!
0:15:43 > 0:15:49At last, John is hauled free of the water, inch by inch.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51Every movement is agonising for their patient,
0:15:51 > 0:15:55but the risk of hypothermia while he remained in the river
0:15:55 > 0:15:57was too great.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00Think about some access, once you get up here. And some ketamine.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03Now, James can finally examine John's broken leg.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06It's a fractured in at least two places.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08Tib and fib.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10- Front and back?- Yeah.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13How are you feeling? Pain? Good.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17They could use ropes to haul John up
0:16:17 > 0:16:21the 40-foot rock face he fell down, but that would be very difficult.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25The next solution could be just as complex.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29An RAF Sea King helicopter is on its way to the scene.
0:16:29 > 0:16:34'They gave me a half an hour estimate over 20 minutes ago now,
0:16:34 > 0:16:37'so I don't think you'll be waiting long on this flight.'
0:16:37 > 0:16:42Gentlemen, we've got an ETA for 10 minutes.
0:16:42 > 0:16:47But the overhanging trees will make this a challenge, even for the RAF.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51I don't know that they're going to be happy to winch from this. Plan B.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53We've got a Plan B in place, haven't we?
0:16:53 > 0:16:56This is Plan B.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59Mountain rescuers preparing a stretcher to haul John up the cliff.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02But he's in terrible pain,
0:17:02 > 0:17:06and the movement of a rough ride on the end of a rope will be agonising.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08This will be a last resort.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11It's just to get him up onto the ledge here
0:17:11 > 0:17:13if the Sea King can't lift him.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15I suspect...
0:17:15 > 0:17:19It's just quite difficult getting him straight up here, I imagine.
0:17:19 > 0:17:24But you've seen him, you need to call it, mate, I don't mind.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28My only concern is that coming through here,
0:17:28 > 0:17:30they're not going to be happy.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33Looking from where I am, there's a lot of overhang from this one,
0:17:33 > 0:17:34and also this other.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39I don't know... I don't know that I'd be happy with that winch.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42I'm starting to think, we can't winch him in what we've got here.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44He's unable to go in a strop,
0:17:44 > 0:17:46he's going to have to go in two strops,
0:17:46 > 0:17:48and they're going to want him in the bucket.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51- Are you all right, John?- Yeah.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53Say again, mate?
0:17:53 > 0:17:54INAUDIBLE
0:17:54 > 0:17:56You don't want any?
0:17:56 > 0:17:58We're still not sure whether the Sea King
0:17:58 > 0:18:01will be able to winch from this location.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03If not, then were going to have to drag the patient out,
0:18:03 > 0:18:05and all the way up to our ambulance,
0:18:05 > 0:18:09which is a good quarter, half a mile up this hill.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12You've seen the terrain around here, it's really hilly, so...
0:18:12 > 0:18:16It's going to be a long extrication if the Sea King can't winch.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20At last, the RAF arrives.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24This Sea King's flown 70 miles from its base.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27He's not looking as well as he looked when we first got here.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30So we really want to hurry it up, if we can.
0:18:30 > 0:18:35With a deteriorating patient and formidable obstacles in their way,
0:18:35 > 0:18:39the pressure's on the RAF to pull off a spectacular rescue.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41But the odds are stacked against them.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51Freeing trapped patients is very difficult.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53And in West Yorkshire, 11-year-old Ella Varley's life
0:18:53 > 0:18:57could depend on the skills of the firefighters and paramedics
0:18:57 > 0:19:01trying to remove a car that is pinning her to the ground.
0:19:01 > 0:19:06Her rescuers are surprised that Ella appears not to be in pain.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09But fire officers believe she may have been saved
0:19:09 > 0:19:12from serious injury by an amazing stroke of luck.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15It would appear that the wall itself has lifted the car up
0:19:15 > 0:19:17and it's come, kind of, square down on top of her
0:19:17 > 0:19:20as opposed to actually dragging her across,
0:19:20 > 0:19:24- which would have been more severe. - She's been trapped for half an hour
0:19:24 > 0:19:28with her head under the engine and only her feet sticking out.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32We're going to have you out in a minute, all right love?
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Paramedics and firefighters have been delicately jacking up the car.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40At last they think they have a chance of getting her out.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42- She's free.- She's free.
0:19:42 > 0:19:47She's free. Ella, give me your hand, darling. Right,
0:19:47 > 0:19:49you hold on tight, OK?
0:19:49 > 0:19:54We're going to start to move you down in a second. Ready, steady, go.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57Air ambulance paramedic Dave Appleby and his colleagues must be careful.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00They haven't been able to examine Ella,
0:20:00 > 0:20:05she may have unseen and potentially serious injuries.
0:20:05 > 0:20:06Well done. We're there.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09We will have to watch your hair, won't we?
0:20:09 > 0:20:13Just watch those stones, that they don't go underneath her, as well.
0:20:13 > 0:20:18At last, her terrifying ordeal is over.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22SHE CRIES Where's my mum? I want to see my mum.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24Understandably, Ella's upset.
0:20:24 > 0:20:29But she's not crying for herself, her black Labrador, Ben
0:20:29 > 0:20:31was sitting with her when the car came over the wall
0:20:31 > 0:20:34and she doesn't know if her pet survived.
0:20:34 > 0:20:39- Where's my dog? - Ooh, I don't know.- Ella, sweetheart.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43Ben DID make it - as far as the chip shop.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47But he's got a deep cut to his eye and a vet is on the way.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49The dog came running into the shop.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53Out of the worst. It's got hurt, I think.
0:20:53 > 0:20:58Because the accident happened just a few minutes away from the local hospital,
0:20:58 > 0:21:03Ella's going to go by road, which leaves the paramedics to reflect
0:21:03 > 0:21:06on what they see as a miraculous escape.
0:21:06 > 0:21:12She's been a very, very, very lucky young lady, I think.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15- That word "luck".- Luck doesn't even cover it for me, that one,
0:21:15 > 0:21:18I mean it could have landed... if it had landed anywhere else,
0:21:18 > 0:21:20If it had been one of us, I think
0:21:20 > 0:21:23it would have crushed our chest or our abdomen.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27She was that small and petite that she was just getting away with it,
0:21:27 > 0:21:30but it could have landed... probably six inches anywhere else
0:21:30 > 0:21:33and it would have squashed her head, her chest, anything.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43Two days later and it's business as usual at the Cowling chippie.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46There's nowhere to sit outside and the walls
0:21:46 > 0:21:50are waiting for the local builder to come and fix them.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56And Ella? She's back home with no visible injuries at all.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02We went down to the chip shop for my dinner.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06I ate my sausage and then I ate a chip and then it went black
0:22:06 > 0:22:10and then I just opened my eyes and I was under the car.
0:22:11 > 0:22:12Ella may have no scars,
0:22:12 > 0:22:15but Ben the Labrador on the other hand
0:22:15 > 0:22:19has a seriously sore head.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22He was sat next to me in the car crash,
0:22:22 > 0:22:24but he must have, like, moved
0:22:24 > 0:22:27or he would have been squished next to me under the car.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31Because it was the local chip shop, people knew who she was
0:22:31 > 0:22:33and they'd rung my husband and my husband,
0:22:33 > 0:22:35who was at work, he rang me
0:22:35 > 0:22:40and I had to drive down and she was there trapped under this car.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44I'd expected to find her dead, actually, it was awful.
0:22:44 > 0:22:49I didn't want to see her to start with, it sounds awful, but I just didn't want to see her.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52But they said that she was asking for me, so I crawled under the car
0:22:52 > 0:22:55and held her hand and she looked fine, actually,
0:22:55 > 0:22:58the bit that I could see, the other bit that I couldn't see,
0:22:58 > 0:23:00probably, I expected not to be fine.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05But, she was quite chatty, she was really good under that car,
0:23:05 > 0:23:07I was really proud of her for that.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11I'm just putting a little band around your waist. OK?
0:23:11 > 0:23:15The paramedics treating Ella thought she may have broken her pelvis.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18Understandable, when your patient is 11
0:23:18 > 0:23:21and had a car land on top of her.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24They were all saying that I've broken both my legs
0:23:24 > 0:23:27and broken my pelvis,
0:23:27 > 0:23:32but then I had an X-ray and I hadn't broken owt.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36She's so lucky. As they say,
0:23:36 > 0:23:40she is the luckiest unlucky girl in Cowling at the moment.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43It's a big relief, yeah.
0:23:43 > 0:23:44Get up!
0:23:51 > 0:23:55With the world-famous Dales and Moors on their doorstep,
0:23:55 > 0:23:58the helimed team often find themselves working in landscapes
0:23:58 > 0:24:03that most people are prepared to pay to enjoy on holiday.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09The Derbyshire Peak District is the UK's oldest national park
0:24:09 > 0:24:11and still its most popular.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14These dramatic valleys and rugged rock faces
0:24:14 > 0:24:17attract 10 million visitors a year.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21The scenery is stunning.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23But this is a dangerous playground
0:24:23 > 0:24:25and when someone's hurt, the helimed team's
0:24:25 > 0:24:27often the first to reach them.
0:24:27 > 0:24:32- We'll go onto the heather bit here.- OK.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36Today, high above the village of Hathersage, a walker's fallen
0:24:36 > 0:24:40and Helimed 98's landing nearly 2,000 feet up.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43Getting the team's patient out looks like being complicated.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47- That'll be a Sea King winch job, won't it?- It could be.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Their patient is Jo Morris, a vicar
0:24:50 > 0:24:54who was out with the local guide pack when she lost her balance.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57We'd just been following them around, observing them,
0:24:57 > 0:25:02supporting them and unfortunately, Jo slipped on the gravel
0:25:02 > 0:25:05and now she's slipped and twisted her ankle
0:25:05 > 0:25:07and she heard it crack.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09So, she's in a bit of pain
0:25:09 > 0:25:12and I'm afraid we had to call the ambulance out.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14It's all right, as well.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17What I'm going to do is have a feel of your foot.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20- It's nice and warm.- Yeah.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24Anywhere else, this would be a minor injury, but high in the peaks,
0:25:24 > 0:25:28anything which stops you walking is potentially life-threatening.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32Even in summer, wind chills are a real danger in these hills
0:25:32 > 0:25:36- and moving around at night can be lethal.- To be fair,
0:25:36 > 0:25:39it's quite a difficult carry-out for the fell rescue team.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42They're used to working as a team, so we'll stand back,
0:25:42 > 0:25:45and obviously, if they need any assistance, we'll offer that.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49It's Saturday and it looks like Jo's flock
0:25:49 > 0:25:52is going to have to do without her sermon tomorrow.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56Her broken ankle will need setting
0:25:56 > 0:25:59at Sheffield's Northern General Hospital and the pulpit steps
0:25:59 > 0:26:02are going to be out of bounds for several weeks.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10But it takes more than a broken bone
0:26:10 > 0:26:14to keep this vicar away from her job for long.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16We've had services in front of the altar
0:26:16 > 0:26:19because I can't get up and down the steps on the crutches
0:26:19 > 0:26:21and I can't walk along in front of people,
0:26:21 > 0:26:25giving them Communion, knelt down like I normally would.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28I've had to do other things differently
0:26:28 > 0:26:32like baptisms have had to be changed, that's basically
0:26:32 > 0:26:34that mums or dads hold the baby
0:26:34 > 0:26:37and I just do the bits I have to do stood up
0:26:37 > 0:26:40and the rest we sit down, around the back at the font, if necessary.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46Good morning everyone and welcome to worship here this morning.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49Let's begin worship as we sing number 41,
0:26:49 > 0:26:51hymn number 41.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55CONGREGATION SINGS
0:26:57 > 0:27:02Jo was helping the Guide pack's adventure training when she discovered
0:27:02 > 0:27:05the downside of the Peak District's rugged landscape.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10The surface was very gritty and I just slipped on this grit
0:27:10 > 0:27:13and I must have twisted as I fell down
0:27:13 > 0:27:16and I heard the bone go, so I knew I'd broken my leg,
0:27:16 > 0:27:19so, I didn't move at all and when they sort of said,
0:27:19 > 0:27:22"Are you all right?", I said, "I've broken my leg."
0:27:22 > 0:27:26They said, "No, really, are you all right?" I said, "No, really,
0:27:26 > 0:27:28"I've have broken my leg, I heard it go."
0:27:28 > 0:27:30So, then it was a case of phone three nines
0:27:30 > 0:27:33and who do you think has to come and pluck you off
0:27:33 > 0:27:35a thing in the middle of nowhere,
0:27:35 > 0:27:37a rock in the middle of the Peak District?
0:27:39 > 0:27:44So, unfortunately I caused a bit of chaos really, to say the least!
0:27:44 > 0:27:47Many visitors come to the Pennines for their history,
0:27:47 > 0:27:49the dark satanic mills
0:27:49 > 0:27:52and Gothic landmarks of the industrial revolution,
0:27:52 > 0:27:55but even heritage can be hazardous.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00Before the UK even had paved roads,
0:28:00 > 0:28:03this was the M62 of its day.
0:28:03 > 0:28:062.2 miles, mate, 226.
0:28:06 > 0:28:10In the 18th century, the Leeds and Liverpool Canal
0:28:10 > 0:28:12carved through the Pennines, bringing prosperity
0:28:12 > 0:28:15to towns like Hebden Bridge.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18Now, the North's canal network is a tourist attraction
0:28:18 > 0:28:23and most of its narrow boats are crewed by holidaymakers.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26But its towpaths have become busy cycle routes
0:28:26 > 0:28:30and that's why Helimed 99 is landing on the canalside today.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33I'm just going to land between the two bits of water, then.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36Yeah, there's a gap in here between these...
0:28:36 > 0:28:39- Yeah, we're downwind to land.- Yeah.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42This young man is Fred.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44He was cycling along here and he stopped at this bench
0:28:44 > 0:28:47to have a drink and a bit of chocolate for some sustenance.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50And the next thing he knew, he was rolling in these nettles.
0:28:50 > 0:28:5569-year-old Fred Shaw had stopped for a breather, when he tripped
0:28:55 > 0:28:58and plunged six feet down the embankment.
0:28:58 > 0:29:00His ankle is badly broken.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04- We've got a good pedo.- He's got a good pedo, that's absolutely fine.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06The canalside is busy today
0:29:06 > 0:29:09and several ramblers came to his aid.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12He wanted to get off his bike
0:29:12 > 0:29:15and he kind of lost his balance
0:29:15 > 0:29:17and then he was tumbling down
0:29:17 > 0:29:21and then we didn't see him, so those ladies that were standing there,
0:29:21 > 0:29:25they ran down and I went down there and made sure he was all right.
0:29:25 > 0:29:29Fred is recovering from a heart attack six months ago.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33- His doctor advised him to get on his bike.- Pain wise,
0:29:33 > 0:29:36he says he can tolerate it, it's fine.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39- It's just slightly numb, that's all. - He can wiggle his toes,
0:29:39 > 0:29:42reflex is slightly delayed, but not too bad.
0:29:42 > 0:29:46Neither Fred nor his doctor had this in mind,
0:29:46 > 0:29:49but the team's patient is remarkably cheerful about his fall
0:29:49 > 0:29:52and its effects on his keep-fit program.
0:29:52 > 0:29:56If you keep going, just keep doing what you are doing,
0:29:56 > 0:30:00getting out. Just avoid this bit. The cycling bit's all right...
0:30:00 > 0:30:02Paramedics Pete and Darren want to make sure
0:30:02 > 0:30:05the injury hasn't blocked circulation to Fred's foot.
0:30:06 > 0:30:10Could you lift it up off the floor? I can support it for you.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13Air ambulances are designed to carry the most serious cases
0:30:13 > 0:30:15to hospital quickly.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18Fred's injury is relatively minor,
0:30:18 > 0:30:21but his rescue would require a mile-long hike along the towpath
0:30:21 > 0:30:24for ground paramedics and a painful ride for Fred.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27Put that leg back. There's a foot rest there for you.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29All right, just keep the pressure on.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32Flying will save him a lot of pain and the ambulance service
0:30:32 > 0:30:34a lot of time and effort.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36Just watch yourself, a bit further down,
0:30:36 > 0:30:38because it's a little bit pitted, the ground.
0:30:38 > 0:30:43In just five minutes, he's touching down at Leeds General Infirmary
0:30:43 > 0:30:45where his ankle will be set and plastered.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51When it comes to appreciating scenery,
0:30:51 > 0:30:53nothing beats the bird's eye view,
0:30:53 > 0:30:56but few visitors to the Yorkshire Dales can rely on
0:30:56 > 0:31:00£3 million of high-tech helicopter to keep them safe in the air.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06It's a glorious day with a gentle breeze
0:31:06 > 0:31:08in the Yorkshire Dales.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11The sort of weather that entices the paraglider pilots
0:31:11 > 0:31:14to take to the air.
0:31:14 > 0:31:18Soaring on the gentle updraughts generated by the hills
0:31:18 > 0:31:22and staying airborne with nothing more than a few feet of fabric
0:31:22 > 0:31:25keeping them from a messy end.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28- What hill has he jumped off, then? - That's what I said.
0:31:28 > 0:31:33In a field near Harrogate, 25-year-old paraglider pilot
0:31:33 > 0:31:36Alex Colbeck has crash-landed.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38Hiya, you all right?
0:31:38 > 0:31:41Alex was on an epic flight.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43He set off with a friend from the market town
0:31:43 > 0:31:47of Hawes, the cheese capital of Wensleydale.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51He's flown a distance of some 45 miles.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54We were paragliding earlier and I flew most of the way with Alex,
0:31:54 > 0:31:59'til about 15 kilometres away and I landed
0:31:59 > 0:32:03way back there. The next thing I knew, I'd landed, packed up.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07I phoned Alex and heard that he had come in hard, had a hard landing.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10He was in pain with his leg at that point.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13He phoned the ambulance and I guess the paramedics arrived
0:32:13 > 0:32:17- and phoned you guys.- Before we attack you from all angles, Alex,
0:32:17 > 0:32:19I'm just going to pop a pin in this hand,
0:32:19 > 0:32:21so we can give you some nice strong painkillers
0:32:21 > 0:32:23before we start messing you about.
0:32:23 > 0:32:25You're going to need...
0:32:25 > 0:32:29Despite being brave enough to dangle from a large kite in the sky,
0:32:29 > 0:32:32Alex is less keen on having a needle put in his arm
0:32:32 > 0:32:34for some pain-killing morphine.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36- Man up, then!- Yeah.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39He was flying solo when the accident happened,
0:32:39 > 0:32:44but luckily a family was out walking and noticed him in the field.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48We saw the red and white sort of canopy laid out here.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52So, we came across to investigate, my wife came across here
0:32:52 > 0:32:55and I went round to open the gate over there.
0:32:55 > 0:32:59At the same time, the ambulance was driving up and down, we could hear it,
0:32:59 > 0:33:02so I moved to the side of the road to flag the ambulance down
0:33:02 > 0:33:04and my wife came across to see
0:33:04 > 0:33:08- if the lad was OK. - He came down for a landing
0:33:08 > 0:33:11and the sail's given way underneath him, so he's come down fairly hard.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14He's got a bit of pelvic and lower back pain at the moment.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17We'll just err on the side of caution. How long were you up then?
0:33:17 > 0:33:20I don't know. About four hours or so.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23- That must have been stunning today, then?- Yeah.
0:33:23 > 0:33:27Paramedic James suspects Alex may have a serious spinal or pelvic injury.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30Yeah.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33Just before we roll him, I'll pop one of these on.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36It's just a wee tight belt that just goes around your pelvis, mate.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40- Pelvic fractures are dangerous. - OK, mate?
0:33:40 > 0:33:45The pelvis cradles and protects many of the body's essential organs.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48With what's called an open book fracture,
0:33:48 > 0:33:52the pelvis can collapse allowing the abdomen to fill with blood.
0:33:54 > 0:34:00A pelvic splint will keep everything in place until Alex can be X-rayed.
0:34:00 > 0:34:02It will also help ease his pain.
0:34:02 > 0:34:0898, just lifted the scene for Harrogate. ETA, one minute.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10This is the way to fly, with two jet engines!
0:34:10 > 0:34:14- I can't afford one of those!- Yeah.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16But it's a short flight.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19If he'd managed to stay in the air a bit longer,
0:34:19 > 0:34:23he could have landed at Harrogate Hospital's A&E unit himself!
0:34:25 > 0:34:28Hi, chaps, how are we doing?
0:34:28 > 0:34:32Sorry. we're so quick, but we were literally about three fields away.
0:34:33 > 0:34:38X-rays show Alex has a hairline fracture of his pelvis.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40It is not as serious as the team first thought
0:34:40 > 0:34:43and he's soon back at work, considering his future
0:34:43 > 0:34:46in his high-risk hobby.
0:34:48 > 0:34:52There's no better way to enjoy the Dales than by bike,
0:34:52 > 0:34:54two wheels and a bit of muscle power.
0:34:54 > 0:34:58Just remember to stay in the saddle.
0:34:59 > 0:35:03Real hard-core cyclists take on the coast-to-coast ride,
0:35:03 > 0:35:07a 192-mile trip from the Irish Sea to the North Sea.
0:35:07 > 0:35:11It ends at Robin Hood's Bay and takes in
0:35:11 > 0:35:14some of the UK's most spectacular scenery along its route.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18Biking brothers John and Mike Bickerstaffe
0:35:18 > 0:35:21are veterans of some marathon cycle tours,
0:35:21 > 0:35:23but their latest trip,
0:35:23 > 0:35:26coast-to-coast, has ended in disaster.
0:35:26 > 0:35:31A lady in a car stopped and said, "Are you with somebody?"
0:35:31 > 0:35:34and I said, "Yes" and the lady said,
0:35:34 > 0:35:37"I'm sorry, but he's had an accident about a couple of miles back."
0:35:37 > 0:35:41Very worrying and still is.
0:35:41 > 0:35:47Their route takes in three national parks and some very steep hills.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51The one that caught 68-year-old John out is too steep to land on.
0:35:51 > 0:35:55Right, what I can do is drop you guys and then move away.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59Paramedic Sammy Wills is dropped off on the hillside.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02And pilot, Chris, must fly on to find somewhere safe
0:36:02 > 0:36:07- and flat to put down. - OK then, who's got a handover?
0:36:07 > 0:36:09We can do it between us, really.
0:36:09 > 0:36:14John's injuries point to him having hit the deck at speed.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17His brother had already gone down the hill when he crashed.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20A passing motorist found him lying in the road.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25He was, sort of, semiconscious.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28And his bags, there was one, two, in the road
0:36:28 > 0:36:32and his bike was on the side.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35And gradually, he did come round.
0:36:35 > 0:36:40So, we just stayed with him, called 999 and here you are.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44- Good lad.- John's injuries could be life-threatening.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47This battered helmet probably saved his life.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51And you can see where it struck,
0:36:51 > 0:36:54wherever it struck, something very solid
0:36:54 > 0:36:58and showing signs of damage, but fortunately,
0:36:58 > 0:37:01that's not his skull, this is the helmet that's taken the damage.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03It's a nine-day trip,
0:37:03 > 0:37:06nine days of railways and nine days of cycling.
0:37:06 > 0:37:10Unfortunately, we've gone and wrecked it on day four.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14Pilot Chris has managed to land the chopper at the bottom of the hill.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17Come to me. Keep coming, keep coming...
0:37:17 > 0:37:19John's injuries are so serious
0:37:19 > 0:37:24they need to fly him to the regional trauma centre in Leeds.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27The helmet protected his brain, but he has other skull fractures,
0:37:27 > 0:37:29broken ribs and eye damage.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36Two weeks later and after several operations,
0:37:36 > 0:37:39John knows he is lucky to be alive.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42I haven't been wearing a helmet for a long time,
0:37:42 > 0:37:46but I was finally persuaded by family and others that I ought to,
0:37:46 > 0:37:49so I have been doing for the last, oh, about six months.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53I have got used to it, but had I not been wearing it,
0:37:53 > 0:37:56I might not be alive today.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59I got cut ear to ear
0:37:59 > 0:38:02and along those lines of my face,
0:38:02 > 0:38:05they basically scalped me, so, peeled it all back,
0:38:05 > 0:38:08built it all up and then just replaced it.
0:38:08 > 0:38:10Which I can't get over.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13As well as all the paramedics and helimed crew,
0:38:13 > 0:38:17there are a couple of other good Samaritans John would like to thank.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20If he only knew who they were.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22Two people in the car who found me on the road,
0:38:22 > 0:38:25they actually stayed with me right through all that
0:38:25 > 0:38:29and offered...then brought my brother to the hospital
0:38:29 > 0:38:30to be with me.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35The patients who found pain in the prettiest places there
0:38:35 > 0:38:38and I'm glad to say all are recovering well,
0:38:38 > 0:38:40but what about John Finney,
0:38:40 > 0:38:43the holidaymaker whose first experience of canyoning
0:38:43 > 0:38:44ended in agony.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47He's still stranded in a rocky ravine
0:38:47 > 0:38:51and an RAF helicopter is his only hope.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56The RAF crew has a bird's eye view of the rescue
0:38:56 > 0:39:01it's been called in to carry out and the pilots don't like what they see.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04At least John's now been hauled out of the water
0:39:04 > 0:39:07that was lowering his temperature to dangerous levels,
0:39:07 > 0:39:10but he's still a long way from safety.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12The boys are doing an amazing job,
0:39:12 > 0:39:14setting up to get that chap out of there.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17- Has he landed?- There's no way you'll treat that as you would in a hospital,
0:39:17 > 0:39:19so your priority is to get him out of there.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22He's in water, he's hypothermic,
0:39:22 > 0:39:27he needs to be out and you have to cut a few sensible corners to get him there,
0:39:27 > 0:39:29somewhere safe where you can actually treat him.
0:39:29 > 0:39:34You all right, John? You winning? Has anything changed?
0:39:35 > 0:39:39It is rare for these guys to touch down and study the lie of the land,
0:39:39 > 0:39:42but that's what they've reluctantly decided to do today.
0:39:42 > 0:39:47What I'm going to do is just make sure that he's secure in my kit.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50The guys are good at this job...
0:39:50 > 0:39:53This recce will delay John's flight to hospital,
0:39:53 > 0:39:56- but it could save his life in the end.- Getting a bit cold...
0:39:57 > 0:39:59Everything is against them,
0:39:59 > 0:40:04large trees overhang the gully from both sides.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09But with their patient deteriorating, the alternative,
0:40:09 > 0:40:13of trying to manhandle him up the cliff face is too hazardous.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18It's an horrendous winch,
0:40:18 > 0:40:20there's an awful lot of hazards.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22This is precision flying,
0:40:22 > 0:40:25the winchman must thread his way through the tree canopy
0:40:25 > 0:40:27to get to the patient.
0:40:27 > 0:40:32We've got a number of trees, other hazards, slippery surfaces,
0:40:32 > 0:40:34fast-moving water,
0:40:34 > 0:40:36he's in a phenomenal amount of pain.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39We've given him a decent amount of analgesia painkillers,
0:40:39 > 0:40:43but we just can't get on top of it because of the position he's in.
0:40:44 > 0:40:48The RAF crews train with mountain rescue regularly and today
0:40:48 > 0:40:51all that experience is being called on.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55I take my hat off to the RAF, they deserve every penny they get.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59The winchman's frantic hand signals have safely guided him and John
0:40:59 > 0:41:03through the trees and up into clear air.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05It looks easy, but it wasn't.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10It takes the RAF just 10 minutes
0:41:10 > 0:41:13to fly John to Lancaster Royal Infirmary. Later that night,
0:41:13 > 0:41:17he undergoes surgery to pin his shattered leg.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21A few days later, he's well enough to catch up on the news,
0:41:21 > 0:41:23but he's still not out of the woods.
0:41:23 > 0:41:28He spent so long in the river, infection is a real risk.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31Basically, I was avoiding somebody in the water
0:41:31 > 0:41:34and as I jumped off the cliff, I turned to the left
0:41:34 > 0:41:36and hit a branch with my face.
0:41:36 > 0:41:41As I came down, I hit the rocks at the bottom.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44As soon as I hit the water, I could feel the pain
0:41:44 > 0:41:50and when I put my hand there, I could feel the bone come through my leg.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53Tib and fib.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55How are you feeling? Pain?
0:41:55 > 0:41:58When James arrived, he was absolutely fantastic,
0:41:58 > 0:42:01went through all the procedures, what he was doing,
0:42:01 > 0:42:04told me that he'd have to take me out of the water to stop me
0:42:04 > 0:42:07getting hypothermia and everything else.
0:42:10 > 0:42:14He told me the helicopter would have problems because of the amount of trees
0:42:14 > 0:42:16at the top and everything else.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18The winchman told me to close my eyes
0:42:18 > 0:42:22because there was ropes going round and branches and trees,
0:42:22 > 0:42:25so I just shut my eyes and that was it basically.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28I wasn't frightened at all, I was reassured by the professionalism
0:42:28 > 0:42:31of the helicopter crew.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34And I'm pleased to say John's leg has now healed
0:42:34 > 0:42:37and he wants to return to the Dales again soon.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39But he has no plans to try canyoning again.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd