0:00:02 > 0:00:06If you're critically ill or seriously injured, seconds count.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08In Britain's biggest county,
0:00:08 > 0:00:13- you can be a long way from help. - 'She's stuck under the car!'
0:00:13 > 0:00:20The Yorkshire Air Ambulance flies at 150mph and thanks to its speed hundreds of patients are alive,
0:00:20 > 0:00:25saved by a highly-skilled team of doctors and paramedics.
0:00:25 > 0:00:31- Stand clear, everybody! - It covers some of the UK's most rugged landscapes,
0:00:31 > 0:00:37- turning roadsides into operating theatres. - We'll try emergency anaesthetic.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39And town centres into helipads.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42Still good on the left?
0:00:42 > 0:00:47Every day the Helimed team's skill, speed and courage is saving lives.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58Today on Helicopter Heroes:
0:00:58 > 0:01:05- She's at the fence. - Helimed 98 goes to the races when a jockey has a serious fall.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08She was going 40 miles an hour.
0:01:08 > 0:01:14- A mum consoles the driver who knocked down her daughter. - I'm sorry. She came straight out.
0:01:16 > 0:01:21A farmer's crushed under his own tractor.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23He's been scrambling to get up.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27And a fairground worker is taken for a nasty ride.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31One of the mechanical arms has fallen on top of him.
0:01:36 > 0:01:41Some sports men and women take big risks keeping us on the edge of our seats.
0:01:41 > 0:01:47Jockeys, for instance. The thrills and spills of racing make being a professional rider
0:01:47 > 0:01:53particularly hazardous. One day in North Yorkshire, one jockey found that the danger starts
0:01:53 > 0:01:55even before the tape goes up.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58And they're off!
0:01:58 > 0:02:04Racehorses can reach 40mph and, for their jockeys, a fall can be fatal.
0:02:04 > 0:02:09Dozens have died in pursuit of sporting glory.
0:02:09 > 0:02:14In front of hundreds of punters and a live TV audience,
0:02:14 > 0:02:18one horse cantering to the starting stalls has thrown its rider.
0:02:18 > 0:02:24One of the private ambulances that covers Ripon races has got a jockey that's come off
0:02:24 > 0:02:27somewhere on the course.
0:02:27 > 0:02:33With it being horses and probably expensive horses, we'll go as high as we can,
0:02:33 > 0:02:40depending on the cloud base, and just check all the horses and jockeys are out the way.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44'98, we've just had an update from the racecourse.'
0:02:44 > 0:02:50You can land at the starting stalls for wherever this race should have begun.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52The horses have all been moved away.
0:02:52 > 0:02:58'The ambulance crew on scene will put the lights on to identify where they are.'
0:02:58 > 0:03:00Roger. Thanks for that, Dave.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05They can see jockey Eva Moscrop lying on the starting straight.
0:03:05 > 0:03:11- She was knocked unconscious in the impact.- We've just got a fence at 12 o'clock.- Yeah.
0:03:11 > 0:03:16- Just see if you can signal that guy to move.- OK, mate.
0:03:18 > 0:03:24Safety on racecourses is paramount, so a private ambulance carrying a doctor follows the runners.
0:03:24 > 0:03:31- A consultant from the regional trauma centre was by Eva's side when she came round.- You OK?
0:03:31 > 0:03:37- I'm Ros Roden, an A&E Consultant. I know you from LGI.- Right. - I've seen you lots of times.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41- This is Eva.- Right. - One of our young lady jockeys.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45The horse came past at great speed and she fell flat onto her back.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49I was with her in about 15 seconds. She was talking to me.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53Airway and breathing were fine and have remained fine.
0:03:53 > 0:03:59She's been orientated. Eyes only open to quite persistent asking.
0:03:59 > 0:04:05Eva has suspected back and head injuries. She's already strapped to a rigid spinal stretcher.
0:04:05 > 0:04:12- Hello. How are we doing? - All right.- You know who we are? In orange suits. All right?
0:04:12 > 0:04:16We'll just load you onto the aircraft now, all right?
0:04:16 > 0:04:20I won't ask if you're comfortable. She's not comfortable on there.
0:04:20 > 0:04:27Paramedic Tony would ordinarily take the injured jockey to the nearest hospital in Harrogate,
0:04:27 > 0:04:33but the course doctor believes she needs the specialist care of the Regional Trauma Centre in Leeds.
0:04:33 > 0:04:39- We can talk to Leeds and see what they say. Otherwise it's Harrogate. - I would go to Leeds.
0:04:39 > 0:04:45- She needs a proper trauma CT. The horse was going 40mph. She came off flat onto her back.- OK.
0:04:45 > 0:04:51And certainly the C spine tenderness would be best managed at a neurosurgical department.
0:04:51 > 0:04:58The course is anxious to restart the racing, but for the Helimed team Eva's the priority.
0:04:58 > 0:05:04Injuries at that speed are more significant than other horseriding injuries.
0:05:04 > 0:05:09The risk of injury is high and concern about the head, neck.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12- All ready for loading?- Yeah.- OK.
0:05:13 > 0:05:20Helimed 98 finally gets the go ahead to fly to Leeds, so it's time to get in the air.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24All right. Thanks very much, mate. Cheers.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27OK. How are you doing now?
0:05:27 > 0:05:30- Still got any pain anywhere? - INDISTINCT ANSWER
0:05:30 > 0:05:33Say again? ..Right, right.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37Well, it's just 10 minutes' flight. We're taking you to Leeds.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40OK? And we'll get you sorted out.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49'Helimed 98, alpha. Good afternoon.'
0:05:49 > 0:05:55Spinal and head injuries are common in horseracing accidents and, depending on the severity,
0:05:55 > 0:05:59it could mean Eva may not be allowed to ride again.
0:05:59 > 0:06:05She's been going at quite a speed on the horse. They're big horses, so it's quite a distance to fall.
0:06:05 > 0:06:11- She's landed on her back. - Approaching helipad. Helimed 98.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15We're about two minutes, from the north, with five persons on board.
0:06:15 > 0:06:20Because she's a jockey, she's got protective clothes on
0:06:20 > 0:06:27that they wear, including helmets, so fingers crossed she's not done any real damage. It is a concern,
0:06:27 > 0:06:33but hopefully she'll do quite well and it's a relatively smooth trip into Leeds for her.
0:06:34 > 0:06:40In the next half hour, doctors at the LGI will find out how serious Eva's injuries are.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44Their verdict could end her career in the saddle.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51We'll return to Eva's story later.
0:06:51 > 0:06:57Now airbags, roll cages and crumple zones save lives every day on the roads,
0:06:57 > 0:07:02but for the emergency services modern cars present some serious problems
0:07:02 > 0:07:05when freeing victims of an accident.
0:07:05 > 0:07:10It's a summer's day on Yorkshire's busiest holiday route,
0:07:10 > 0:07:13the A64 from York to Scarborough,
0:07:13 > 0:07:18and the road's grim reputation as an accident blackspot has just become worse.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21For villagers, it's a familiar story.
0:07:21 > 0:07:27People don't realise they're stopping. They come like mad from that end and that end and get that.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30It's happened I don't know how many times in the last 30 years.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34Trapped inside the family car is motorist Heather Pattison.
0:07:34 > 0:07:41Freeing her and flying her to hospital is today's mission for paramedics Lee and Matt.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45Obviously, dealing with a big lorry against a car,
0:07:45 > 0:07:49high impact speeds, there can be a lot of major trauma,
0:07:49 > 0:07:54so we need to get there in support of the crews and see what we find.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01Heather was driving her son home when the accident happened.
0:08:01 > 0:08:08Now she and 12-year-old Christopher are trapped by twisted bodywork and the remains of the dashboard.
0:08:08 > 0:08:13At the moment, the lady that's driving is trapped, trapped by her leg.
0:08:13 > 0:08:19She's also got some chest injuries. What we're going to do is get her some pain relief
0:08:19 > 0:08:22to deal with her injuries more effectively.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26- Have you got the little one on this side?- Yeah.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29- Is he OK?- Pretty good, actually.
0:08:29 > 0:08:34Christopher is on his way to hospital by road. He appears unhurt, but the team is concerned
0:08:34 > 0:08:40his mum's blood pressure could fall further. She needs a saline drip.
0:08:40 > 0:08:47- Have we got an IV line in?- Yeah. - What's her BP? 100 over 68. It was 117 over 77.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50- I'll get the other fluid.- Cheers.
0:08:50 > 0:08:55We're probably going to reposition the aircraft and then come over
0:08:55 > 0:08:57and try to get her out.
0:08:57 > 0:09:05We'll relocate the aircraft to this area. And then it's an easy pull through for the lady.
0:09:05 > 0:09:10The accident's happened outside the front doors of a group of travellers.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13Traffic's backed up for miles.
0:09:15 > 0:09:20But there's a gap and pilot Steve is aiming for it.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22Forward, forward, forward.
0:09:22 > 0:09:28- That's about as far as it'll go. - Is it? Mind if I open this door? - No, crack on.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30Just check for me to bring her down.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33It's going to be a tight squeeze.
0:09:34 > 0:09:41OK, keep her nice and straight. That's great. You've got her about 15 yards off the fire engine back.
0:09:41 > 0:09:46Luckily for Steve, paramedic Lee is also a qualified helicopter pilot.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50About six foot off the kerb. Yeah, bang on.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54And you're there, mate. Great stuff.
0:09:55 > 0:10:02Heather has been trapped for more than an hour and the team is growing concerned.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06It's a prolonged extrication here. We just have to keep monitoring her.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09It's a bit protracted, a bit lengthy.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13Just popping this in your ear, darling.
0:10:13 > 0:10:18Firefighters are working in the driver's footwell to release Heather's legs.
0:10:18 > 0:10:24Just having to take the side door off, the driver's side door, and just trying to work
0:10:24 > 0:10:31to take her out of the car. It's just a big team event. Trying to get her clear is a thing itself.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Ready, steady, lift!
0:10:34 > 0:10:37At last, Heather is ready to move.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41The team must keep her back straight as she may have a spinal injury.
0:10:41 > 0:10:46Nice and steady, that's it. Nice and steady. And we're on.
0:10:46 > 0:10:53- It's a good job there's no shortage of manpower.- I'm just going to have a feel of your pelvis.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57You tell me if that hurts. What about down these legs?
0:10:59 > 0:11:05- Query left patella. And Chris said she might have had a compound right. Is that correct?- Query it.
0:11:05 > 0:11:10Query compound right tib and fib. We won't get a box splint on there.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16They're taking her to James Cook hospital in Middlesbrough.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20Paramedic Matt fears she has significant internal injuries.
0:11:20 > 0:11:25The trouble with larger patients is, especially when laid flat,
0:11:27 > 0:11:31the pressure on their lungs can obviously take its toll,
0:11:31 > 0:11:37which is why we try to incline the board just slightly to take that pressure off her lungs.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41We were concerned with her blood pressure that was dropping.
0:11:41 > 0:11:47We've managed to maintain and raise that a little, to a safe level.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53Injury-wise, to her legs, not too much of a problem.
0:11:53 > 0:11:59It's more the chest injuries that we can't see that are concerning us.
0:11:59 > 0:12:05The James Cook trauma team is on standby. It will be using ultrasound and scans to examine
0:12:05 > 0:12:07Heather's chest and abdomen.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13Doctors discover that Heather has major leg injuries.
0:12:13 > 0:12:18She spends a month in hospital undergoing several operations.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21I nearly died.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25I was classed as critical,
0:12:25 > 0:12:29which I wasn't aware of until the police officer came
0:12:29 > 0:12:33a few weeks afterwards to take my statement.
0:12:33 > 0:12:38He was the one that said he thought I was going to die on the scene.
0:12:38 > 0:12:44They told my partner, you know, to prepare himself, you know, for the worst.
0:12:44 > 0:12:50Heather is now on a long road to recovery, one that could take a year or more.
0:12:51 > 0:12:56What happened in July was a life-changing experience.
0:12:56 > 0:13:04It's wrecked my life. I was a very fit, active, working full-time and everything person.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09And to go from that to being able to hardly walk,
0:13:09 > 0:13:13in pain, then it's a big shock.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16It takes an awful lot of getting used to.
0:13:16 > 0:13:21Thankfully, Christopher, her son, was only slightly injured.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24It's one of few consolations for Heather.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28I'm very lucky. My son keeps me going.
0:13:28 > 0:13:33You know, you look and you think, "I've got to get on with it."
0:13:35 > 0:13:37So, yeah, moving forward.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41We'll get there. It'll just take a while!
0:13:50 > 0:13:54Reading, writing and maths are, of course, vital,
0:13:54 > 0:13:59but one of the most important things you can teach your child is road safety.
0:14:01 > 0:14:07Darren Petts and Karen Clarkson knew their daughter Siobhan was out on her bike
0:14:07 > 0:14:13and they'd warned her to be careful. Now they can do little but watch as paramedics fight to save her life
0:14:13 > 0:14:18after a collision with a car. It's a battle Sammy Wills is about to join.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Do you know any more information?
0:14:21 > 0:14:27Accidents like this are traumatic for everyone involved, especially the parents,
0:14:27 > 0:14:31but Siobhan's are determined to keep calm for her sake.
0:14:31 > 0:14:37- Where's this blood come from? - We think it's maybe tib and fib. We're not sure.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39So we're sort of on the kerb.
0:14:39 > 0:14:46Dad, can you stand one side? I'll swap places with this police officer. You can stay close, love.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49Hello. What's your first name?
0:14:49 > 0:14:52- Siobhan.- Siobhan. All righty.
0:14:52 > 0:14:58- Where's hurting most?- My knee. - Your knee. All right. I'm going to have a little listen to your chest.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01Can you take a deep breath?
0:15:01 > 0:15:05Oh, that's good. Can you do it again for me?
0:15:05 > 0:15:07Superb.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11Does that hurt anywhere when you do that?
0:15:11 > 0:15:12- No.- No?
0:15:12 > 0:15:16- Sammy to Graham, over. - Yeah, Sammy, go ahead.
0:15:16 > 0:15:22- Could you bring me a traction splint, over?- Roger, no problem. I'll be there in two minutes.
0:15:22 > 0:15:27- Sounds like a broken femur. - Paramedic Graham is right.
0:15:27 > 0:15:33The force of the impact broke Siobhan's thighbone. It's a life-threatening injury.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37Er, pelvis, femur, head. That's great.
0:15:37 > 0:15:42How are you feeling now? Now you've rolled off here.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46- That's got to be a bit better. - That painkiller will kick in.
0:15:47 > 0:15:53Siobhan's family and friends are very upset and so is the driver of the car.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57I'm sorry. She just come straight out.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01- How does she look?- Fine. - How is she?- She'll be all right.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05I'm sorry.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08- When did you last have anything to eat?- This morning.
0:16:08 > 0:16:14- Yeah? Did you have a good breakfast? - Sammy keeps talking to Siobhan to keep her fully conscious
0:16:14 > 0:16:17and to distract her from the pain.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21- Have you ever been in a helicopter before?- No.- Never?
0:16:21 > 0:16:29There's a chance Siobhan may also have a head injury. She'll be flown straight to hospital in Wakefield.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31Just watch.
0:16:31 > 0:16:38- Right, mate. Do you want to jump in? What's your name?- Darren.- Have a seat.- We've got Dad sat behind.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41I don't want to fall on you!
0:16:41 > 0:16:46Within 15 minutes of the 999 call, Siobhan is ready for take-off.
0:16:46 > 0:16:51Sammy will be monitoring her patient's condition closely throughout the flight.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54Can you see the blades?
0:16:59 > 0:17:045,000 children are killed or seriously injured on the UK's roads each year.
0:17:04 > 0:17:11Thankfully for Siobhan, she'll be in the skilled hands of a trauma team within minutes,
0:17:11 > 0:17:15but this is a day her mum and dad will never forget.
0:17:17 > 0:17:22At Pinderfields Hospital, Siobhan undergoes a brain scan.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26The good news is that the impact to her head caused no lasting damage,
0:17:26 > 0:17:29but her leg is badly broken.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36A week later and she's still in hospital. She is due out soon,
0:17:36 > 0:17:43- but she's still getting used to the pot on her leg.- There was a car in my way, so I could barely see.
0:17:43 > 0:17:49I tried listening, didn't hear owt, but when I got, like, out of the car a bit,
0:17:49 > 0:17:51I heard something and saw the car.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54It was just a bit too late.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59There's not a lot to say to that. It's a parent's worst nightmare.
0:17:59 > 0:18:06Child versus car? What can you say? You think the worst. Any parent will.
0:18:06 > 0:18:12There were people attending to her so it was a case of coming in and trying to keep out of the way
0:18:12 > 0:18:15while offering her some comfort.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19It isn't easy to do both at the same time.
0:18:19 > 0:18:25The driver of the car has stayed in contact and gets regular updates on Siobhan's recovery.
0:18:25 > 0:18:31I walked over to her and said, "Are you the driver?" I introduced myself.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35And she just burst into tears. "I'm ever so sorry."
0:18:35 > 0:18:41I gave her a cuddle and said, "It's not your fault. These things happen."
0:18:41 > 0:18:43She just couldn't see her.
0:18:43 > 0:18:48The next step is to get out of bed and on her feet.
0:18:48 > 0:18:53The issue now really is her physio and getting her up and mobile.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58That's a bit of a problem at the moment.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02She's really struggling to get up and mobile again.
0:19:05 > 0:19:11Two months on from the accident and Siobhan is back home and out playing.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13This is a very hairy dog.
0:19:13 > 0:19:19But she's not quite fit enough to ride her bike yet. She knows she's been lucky.
0:19:19 > 0:19:26I'm lucky to be alive, actually. Not many people get hit by a car and get away with it.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41Siobhan is now back on her bike, but what about Eva,
0:19:41 > 0:19:45the jockey whose fall from a horse threatened her entire career?
0:19:45 > 0:19:53She now faces crucial medical tests to see if her accident has had any lasting effects on her brain.
0:19:54 > 0:19:59Eva has suffered concussion which can lead to memory loss and dizziness,
0:19:59 > 0:20:01both serious problems for a jockey.
0:20:01 > 0:20:06It's a month since her accident and she's back working with racehorses,
0:20:06 > 0:20:13but she's not yet in the saddle. First she has to persuade racing authorities she's fit to ride
0:20:13 > 0:20:19and the medical tests are strict. Many jockeys never race again after a fall like hers.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21Today is crucial.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24'I'm feeling a little bit nervous.
0:20:24 > 0:20:29'I've come to hospital today to do a concussion test.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33'I have to pass this test to be able to ride again.'
0:20:33 > 0:20:39- Eva Moscrop for a concussion test. - If you just take a seat, help yourself to a drink.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42I'll let the nurse know.
0:20:42 > 0:20:48Right, Eva, the first test we're going to do is... the balance test.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52- You remember that one?- Yeah. - If you want to stand up for me.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56Remember, one foot in front of the other.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00A lot is at stake for Eva. She is desperate to get back on a horse.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06Stand as still as you can for 30 seconds. OK? Off we go.
0:21:06 > 0:21:12'Eva came last week, did the test, then she has to see a neurologist to do various tests.'
0:21:12 > 0:21:16OK, well done. That's it.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18We don't know why she's failed.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21We've just been told by the British Horseracing Authority
0:21:21 > 0:21:24that she needs to have a re-test done again today.
0:21:24 > 0:21:29So, now we're going to go on to the number test, OK?
0:21:29 > 0:21:31One, seven.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33One, seven.
0:21:33 > 0:21:38You've got two minutes to do as many as you can, so work your way down the page.
0:21:38 > 0:21:43All the tests, once we've done them, go off to a psychologist
0:21:43 > 0:21:48and they go through them all and check them against previous tests.
0:21:48 > 0:21:53Then it's up to them to make the decision with the neurologist
0:21:53 > 0:21:56whether they're fit to ride again.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01Not riding's been quite frustrating.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05I just want to get back doing it. I'm just keen to do it again.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13Sadly, Eva fails the test once again.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18But a few weeks later, 12,000 miles from home,
0:22:18 > 0:22:21she's back in the saddle down under.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29All right, Eva.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31Trotting OK.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35All right, we'll take him back for a canter, please.
0:22:35 > 0:22:40An invitation from an Australian trainer and a new medical certificate
0:22:40 > 0:22:45has allowed her to start a new career racing on the outskirts of Sydney,
0:22:45 > 0:22:47despite a series of further setbacks.
0:22:47 > 0:22:52Just before I came to Australia, I had a couple of falls.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55And I had viral meningitis,
0:22:55 > 0:23:00so I was quite poorly and I felt a bit weak and my confidence had been knocked a little bit
0:23:00 > 0:23:04because it all happened within a small space of time,
0:23:04 > 0:23:07then I came over here, just galloping every day.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10It's really done me a lot of good.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13I'm a lot stronger and more confident in my riding.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17I've always been brought up around racing.
0:23:17 > 0:23:24I've always really wanted to do it, so even though I have falls and get hurt, it doesn't put me off.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35Now, it's no wonder the busiest time in A&E is at the weekend.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38That's when many of us are out enjoying our leisure time.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43In Preston in Lancashire, the fair has come to town,
0:23:43 > 0:23:45but today, the fun has ground to a halt.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49A fairground worker has been crushed under a ride.
0:23:49 > 0:23:54Air Ambulance paramedics Andy Armitage and John Baxter are on their way.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57We're leaving God's country and into Lancashire.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00Reports are coming in of the man's condition.
0:24:00 > 0:24:07'We've got a 21-year-old male who has been dragged underneath a fairground ride.'
0:24:07 > 0:24:11Sounds like there's major trauma gone on to this chap.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14'The crews on scene are reporting multiple fractures -
0:24:14 > 0:24:20'arms, legs, ribs, so you've got potential for many, many internal injuries alongside those as well.'
0:24:20 > 0:24:25Pilot Stewart Hadley-Clarke has few choices of landing site.
0:24:25 > 0:24:31The local bowlers are not going to be happy, but ground paramedics need Helimed 99's help.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35I was first on the scene with one of my colleagues.
0:24:35 > 0:24:40We did an initial assessment, brought him back to our treatment centre,
0:24:40 > 0:24:43then called the North West Ambulance Service.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45Hello there.
0:24:45 > 0:24:4920-year-old Gareth, male, been working on the fairground ride.
0:24:49 > 0:24:55One of the mechanical arms that swings out of the three capsules has fallen on top of him.
0:24:55 > 0:25:00- He was initially trapped and lost consciousness.- Can I take this? - Yeah, I'll give you it all.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04They've not faulted from that, but his pulse is now regular at 61.
0:25:04 > 0:25:09Gareth Procter is badly hurt after being crushed by a ride called the Twister.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12He could also have serious internal injuries.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15- Where's the pain the worst? - Round my wrist.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19If you had to score the pain out of ten, what is it out of ten?
0:25:19 > 0:25:23- I'd say nine out of ten.- You said it was a lot better before.- It was.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26Is it just coming back on you? All right.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29You're going in a helicopter. I'm dead jealous.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32Do you want one of us to come with you to hold your hand?
0:25:32 > 0:25:35- I don't mind. - Nice and steady, Gareth.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39The local bowling green is lovingly tendered.
0:25:39 > 0:25:45Now its smooth turf is supporting a three-tonne helicopter and seven pairs of boots,
0:25:45 > 0:25:48but the team's patient must come first.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52- I've got his arm under it. - We'll see if we can support his arm.
0:25:52 > 0:25:57We're going to give you something more for your pain, darling. That'll be wearing off.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00- Gareth, can you see all right? - I keep going bug-eyed.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04Paramedic John is concerned about Gareth's eyes.
0:26:04 > 0:26:10It looks like he's suffering from a rare condition that could blind him for life.
0:26:10 > 0:26:16Only the speed of Helimed 99 stands between their patient and a lifetime of disability.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20His eyes are bloodshot
0:26:20 > 0:26:24and there's been some trauma to his chest and his neck area.
0:26:24 > 0:26:28We're wondering if that pressure has put a lot of pressure
0:26:28 > 0:26:31on causing swelling inside the head. One sign can be bloodshot eyes.
0:26:31 > 0:26:37So, when you get bloodshot eyes, sometimes the vision can start to deteriorate and go.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39They need an emergency operation
0:26:39 > 0:26:43to cut little slits in the eyes to relieve the pressure.
0:26:43 > 0:26:49We've told the hospital, so they know that's a potential for them to sort out when we get there.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54The cause of Gareth's injuries is now clear.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57He was almost strangled by his gold jewellery.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01He had a metal chain on which has got caught up in the mechanisms
0:27:01 > 0:27:04and really yanked on his neck,
0:27:04 > 0:27:07which has increased the pressure into his head.
0:27:07 > 0:27:12His eyes are bloodshot, so there's probably been some head injury before,
0:27:12 > 0:27:15but probably it's just caused him to lose consciousness.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17Gareth needs extensive surgery.
0:27:17 > 0:27:22As well as treating his eyes, surgeons have to repair two broken bones in his neck.
0:27:22 > 0:27:28But two months later, he's back on his feet and on the road to recovery,
0:27:28 > 0:27:30his eyesight unaffected.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34Me and my two mates were on the machine watching it go round.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37I went to grab hold of one of the cars,
0:27:37 > 0:27:40to jump in the car as it's going round and my foot slipped
0:27:40 > 0:27:44off the steel plate on the floor and shot across
0:27:44 > 0:27:47and when I let go, another car came round and hit me.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50Then it knocked me out and I landed on the floor.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54When I woke up, I were in between the floor and the bottom arm.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57- I keep going bug-eyed.- Right.
0:27:57 > 0:28:02He's lucky to have survived the accident and so is the chain around his neck.
0:28:02 > 0:28:08It got caught on to like a nut there and it pulled me round the machine.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12And I think I did something to my wrist and I've got a mark on my arm.
0:28:12 > 0:28:17A couple of cuts and I broke two bones in the back of my neck.
0:28:17 > 0:28:23Gareth hasn't returned to work at the fairground and feels lucky he and his necklace are in one piece.
0:28:23 > 0:28:27I thought it were the end of the world, it were my time to go,
0:28:27 > 0:28:30but someone up there wants to keep me here.
0:28:31 > 0:28:35A case that proves fairgrounds can be dangerous places.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38Now, a bouncy castle sounds like harmless fun.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41Not necessarily.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46They're a fashionable part of many a party,
0:28:46 > 0:28:52but every year, an unlucky few are badly hurt in accidents involving bouncy castles.
0:28:52 > 0:28:56Indoors, like this one, they're relatively safe, but outside,
0:28:56 > 0:28:59even a brisk breeze can lead to a serious injury,
0:28:59 > 0:29:04as paramedics Pete Vallance and Leon Baranowski are about to find out.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09We're on our way to Harworth which is just south-west of Doncaster
0:29:09 > 0:29:14for a child that we believe was blown off an unsecured bouncy castle with a head injury.
0:29:14 > 0:29:20He was reported to be unconscious. Speed is of the essence. We need to get down there as quickly as we can.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25This was a family fun day. Now everyone's in shock
0:29:25 > 0:29:29after seeing the giant inflatable take off on a freak gust.
0:29:29 > 0:29:35They were just on the inflatable, bouncy slide thing and the wind just got under it
0:29:35 > 0:29:41and it just... pulled all its anchors out and just flipped under the wind.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46'Update from our RV on scene.
0:29:46 > 0:29:52'This eight-year-old male has been lifted approximately four metres vertically
0:29:52 > 0:29:57'and 30 - three-zero - metres horizontally when the bouncy castle blew.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00'Unconscious for unknown length of time.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04'Now GCS approximately ten - one-zero. Over.'
0:30:07 > 0:30:11We'll try and be as quick on scene as we can with this one.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15- Yeah.- If the GCS is ten, then this kid is not very well at all, is he?
0:30:15 > 0:30:18Being unconscious can mean serious head injuries.
0:30:18 > 0:30:24Speed is vital and the ground crews have already got the boy ready to go.
0:30:24 > 0:30:29This is Alfie, eight years old. He's been on a bouncy castle in this area.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32No obvious injuries that we can see on a top-to-toe.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35Pupils seem OK, equal and reactive.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39- It's clearly a head injury. - Yeah, that's fine.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43Alfie Hilton was thrown 30 metres into the neighbouring field.
0:30:43 > 0:30:47He is now slipping in and out of consciousness.
0:30:47 > 0:30:51How did he get back here? Have they just picked him up and carried him?
0:30:51 > 0:30:55- Yeah, I carried him into that position there.- You're going into the helicopter now.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57CRIES OF PAIN
0:30:57 > 0:31:03On board the Air Ambulance, Alfie is clearly distressed and in need of pain relief.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06Hello there. Can you open your eyes for me?
0:31:06 > 0:31:09- That's a good boy. - RADIO MESSAGE - Can you hear that?
0:31:09 > 0:31:14It's vital that the crew keep talking to Alfie to keep him responsive.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17His mum Sue is flying with him.
0:31:17 > 0:31:23- Just listen to us. Do you want to talk to him, Mum?- Alfie, Mummy's here. Listen to people, please.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28It's a ten-minute journey to specialist teams on stand-by
0:31:28 > 0:31:31at Sheffield Children's Hospital.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37'The crew quickly got the patient packaged, ready for our arrival,
0:31:37 > 0:31:41'so as soon as we landed, we could get him on board the aircraft.
0:31:41 > 0:31:46'He was quite upset which could have just been the pain from the injury
0:31:46 > 0:31:50'or he could have had quite a serious head injury as well.'
0:31:50 > 0:31:54Alfie... Alfie, open your eyes again.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57'The best thing for the patient is to get picked up'
0:31:57 > 0:32:01by ourselves and brought to Sheffield Children's Hospital.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04Time is the most important factor for treating a head injury.
0:32:04 > 0:32:10For the Air Ambulance crew, an emergency call which involves children always strikes a chord.
0:32:10 > 0:32:16Anyone with children would feel for the parents of a child who has been injured in an incident like that.
0:32:16 > 0:32:19And it certainly focuses your mind.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21I wouldn't say you go the extra mile
0:32:21 > 0:32:25because we try our hardest with every casualty we get,
0:32:25 > 0:32:28but when it's a child, you pull out all the stops
0:32:28 > 0:32:32to ensure they're safely conveyed to hospital and get the best treatment.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38For Alfie's family, the next few days is an anxious time.
0:32:38 > 0:32:43Doctors find he has a bleed on the brain and a fractured pelvis.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48Alfie, do you want to come down and play?
0:32:48 > 0:32:55But just two months after his accident, he is once again home and bouncing with health.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00The wind came out of nowhere
0:33:00 > 0:33:03and it just slightly tipped...
0:33:04 > 0:33:08..and then it went faster,
0:33:08 > 0:33:10then it went...
0:33:10 > 0:33:12and then I went on the...
0:33:12 > 0:33:15I don't know where I landed. Road, fence...
0:33:15 > 0:33:18We're back to normal now.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21He's back at full-time school.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24He'd been signed off by both the doctors
0:33:24 > 0:33:28and he's back doing PE and whatever he wants to do,
0:33:28 > 0:33:33- so he's back in...back in, running around and playing football, aren't you?- Yeah.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36You know, you can't wrap him up in cotton wool, really.
0:33:39 > 0:33:44It's not just kids who are at risk when they go out to play.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46Paintballing is for adults only.
0:33:46 > 0:33:51The bullets may be paint, but you can still find yourself on your way to A&E.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56We're off to a paintballing centre
0:33:56 > 0:34:00for a 25-year-old who has fallen
0:34:00 > 0:34:04whilst participating in this sport that doesn't hurt you(!)
0:34:04 > 0:34:07Ex-army pilot Tim Taylor, former soldier Andy
0:34:07 > 0:34:12and Territorial Army medic Sam have all served in real war zones.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16There's a chap here in a field with a referee's vest on.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19He won't get along there. Whether that's good for you...
0:34:19 > 0:34:24Helimed 98 is about to make the paintball battle below even more realistic.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27Players can't often call in air support.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31- Take it lower over the trees, then we'll drop into it.- Yeah.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35We're not going to get shot while we're here, are we?
0:34:35 > 0:34:38No, we're keeping them out the way in an area where they can...
0:34:38 > 0:34:42I thought I'd have to wear my helmet with the visor down.
0:34:42 > 0:34:47The 26-year-old paintballer has fallen and broken his thigh bone, the largest bone in the body.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51The morphine is starting to work, but he's in a lot of pain.
0:34:51 > 0:34:56- Is this going on before the watershed?- He's full of morphine. He's happy as Larry.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58LAUGHTER
0:34:58 > 0:35:04He was running along and he fell over a root. He sort of twisted round and landed really badly on his leg.
0:35:04 > 0:35:08Initially, he said it wasn't hurting that much. It was just dull.
0:35:08 > 0:35:13- He's got full PMS.- Yeah.- But as we've obviously started moving him...
0:35:13 > 0:35:17Full PMS or pulse/motor/sensation is a very good sign.
0:35:17 > 0:35:22It means the blood supply to the patient's lower leg hasn't been affected.
0:35:22 > 0:35:27The staff here were more than helpful. The referee on the ground,
0:35:27 > 0:35:31he administered first aid and put him in the recovery position,
0:35:31 > 0:35:34so really, really helpful staff, actually.
0:35:34 > 0:35:36- BANG - Did you hear a snap then(?)
0:35:36 > 0:35:39- LAUGHTER - Did you hear a snap(?)
0:35:39 > 0:35:43The site isn't far from York, but it's down a long, bumpy track.
0:35:43 > 0:35:48Although his injury is not life-threatening, it is painful.
0:35:48 > 0:35:53Taking him to hospital in a chopper will minimise the movement to his damaged limb.
0:35:53 > 0:35:59- Are you fairly comfortable there? How's that pain now?- Back down to a four.- Back down to a four.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01OK.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04- See you, love.- All right, thank you! - Cheers, guys.
0:36:06 > 0:36:10Both pilot Tim and paramedic Sam have been under fire for real.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13They're not too worried today.
0:36:13 > 0:36:17We're going to be covered in red splodges, aren't we?
0:36:17 > 0:36:21The paintballer will be in hospital in just a few minutes.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25Today's war games have resulted in a very real injury.
0:36:25 > 0:36:30It will be some time before this weekend warrior returns to the battlefield.
0:36:32 > 0:36:37And I'm pleased to say all our weekend patients are on the mend.
0:36:37 > 0:36:42Now, more than 30 workers die each year on Britain's farms
0:36:42 > 0:36:46and livestock or machinery are the biggest causes.
0:36:48 > 0:36:54Yorkshire's moors and dales are home to hundreds of hill farmers and many more thousands of sheep
0:36:54 > 0:36:58and the back-breaking work of sheep-shearing has begun.
0:36:58 > 0:37:03At a small farm near the village of Glaisdale in the North York Moors National Park,
0:37:03 > 0:37:08farmer Colin Hutchinson has been crushed under his own tractor.
0:37:08 > 0:37:13He was on his tractor. The lads had come to clip sheep, so he was in a bit of a rush.
0:37:13 > 0:37:17The tractor somehow rolled on to him while it was still in gear
0:37:17 > 0:37:20and it sort of rolled over his pelvis area.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23Helimed 98 is on its way.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27Colin is likely to have serious internal injuries.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31- Visual, three o'clock, four o'clock...- Yeah.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34He's under these trees.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37- Is that them waving in the field? - Yeah.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43What's happened?
0:37:43 > 0:37:45INAUDIBLE REPLY
0:37:45 > 0:37:49- Yeah, what's happened?- His tractor has somehow rolled on to him.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52- Rolled on to him? - Yeah, it was still in gear.
0:37:52 > 0:37:57Paramedic Graham Pemberton finds farmer Colin conscious and in serious pain.
0:37:57 > 0:38:01Crush victims can have many life-threatening internal injuries.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05- What's hurting the most, Colin? - Pardon?- What's hurting the most?
0:38:05 > 0:38:08- Your tummy or your leg? - My leg.- Your leg.
0:38:08 > 0:38:13- I'm starting to get a bit of pain here now. - In the middle of your chest?- Yeah.
0:38:13 > 0:38:19Colin was preparing for a day of sheep-shearing when the accident happened.
0:38:19 > 0:38:25Just got these sheep in to shear 'em tonight. He's just gone to back the trailer up to put the wool on.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29Rather than sit on the seat to start it, he stood at the side,
0:38:29 > 0:38:35leant across to start it, thought he'd put it out of gear, but must have knocked it into gear.
0:38:35 > 0:38:40As he's started it, it's come over the top of him and he's been scrambling, trying to get up.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44It's cracked something and gone into the front of the shed.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48I couldn't see where he was, then he sort of staggered out.
0:38:48 > 0:38:53Colin is given morphine, so Graham can make a thorough examination.
0:38:53 > 0:38:59He's not actually landed on his neck or anything like that. He's unlikely to have damaged his neck.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04We've got a 61-year-old male.
0:39:04 > 0:39:10He's had a tractor roll over and bounce up and down on his pelvis
0:39:10 > 0:39:13and we'll be with you at about 19.45.
0:39:13 > 0:39:18He's got, obviously, a tender abdomen and he's got a query pelvic fracture.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21All right, see you soon. Bye now.
0:39:21 > 0:39:25This is the busiest time of the year on the farm,
0:39:25 > 0:39:29but it's unlikely Colin will be back working for some months, if at all.
0:39:29 > 0:39:34His workmates are just pleased emergency services were here so quickly.
0:39:34 > 0:39:39The doctor arrived within about ten minutes, the ambulance about five minutes after,
0:39:39 > 0:39:44then you lot about five minutes after that, so...pretty good, really.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47We're putting some headphones on.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52So you should be able to hear me, all right?
0:39:52 > 0:39:55Graham wants to be able to talk to his patient.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59- It'll get quite loud in here, all right?- Thank you.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03Crush injuries can lead to serious internal bleeding
0:40:03 > 0:40:10and Colin may feel symptoms well before they show on the aircraft's medical monitoring system.
0:40:10 > 0:40:15Helimed 98 is flying through the Cleveland Hills at 150 miles an hour.
0:40:15 > 0:40:19Even with blue lights, on the winding roads below,
0:40:19 > 0:40:22this journey could take almost an hour.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26The team is touching down in just over ten minutes.
0:40:26 > 0:40:31Helimed 98's landing at James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough is the start
0:40:31 > 0:40:34of a long recovery for Colin.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38Surgeons operate on their patient the following day.
0:40:39 > 0:40:44But it's winter before he's ready to return to his farm in remote Eskdale.
0:40:44 > 0:40:50Colin has made a full recovery and is once more using the tractor which ran him over,
0:40:50 > 0:40:54a tractor that has been in his family for decades.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57It's a David Brown 990 and it belonged to my father,
0:40:57 > 0:41:02so it's a bit of an antique job and it's of sentimental value to us.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06It was Colin's unusual way of starting the tractor
0:41:06 > 0:41:08which led to the accident.
0:41:08 > 0:41:12I just take her off. It gives it a squirt into the manifold there.
0:41:12 > 0:41:16It sucks into the air intake which takes it into the engine
0:41:16 > 0:41:19and away you go in no time.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21That's what I was doing that day.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24I just squirted, turned the key
0:41:24 > 0:41:28and I went to knock it out of gear, which I've done before,
0:41:28 > 0:41:32but the tractor, instead of stopping like it would have done,
0:41:32 > 0:41:36as it has done in the past when this has happened, kept going
0:41:36 > 0:41:39and this wheel caught me and knocked me down.
0:41:39 > 0:41:44Once I got away from it, I just had to lay down and I got help.
0:41:44 > 0:41:49This tractor is getting on for 42 years old and is considered one of the family.
0:41:49 > 0:41:53It took a while, but Colin has forgiven it for running him over.
0:41:53 > 0:41:59For about three or four weeks after that, I was giving the tractor a wide berth.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02It was stood there, but I just couldn't go near it.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06That was the thing. I just did not want to go near it.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09After about a month, I thought, "I'll have to do something,"
0:42:09 > 0:42:12and gradually started and...
0:42:12 > 0:42:17From a hate relationship, we got back to a nice working relationship again.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20She's now the old antique tractor again.
0:42:22 > 0:42:26A story there of the enduring love between man and his machine
0:42:26 > 0:42:30or, in this case, Colin and his tractor.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd