Oliver Watson, a budding young Goalkeeper from Royston, near Barnsley, is set to be featured in the next episode of Yorkshire Air 999, Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s (YAA) new series premiering on Quest on Friday, November 8th at 9 PM. The episode showcases the critical role of YAA’s emergency response team as they assist Oliver following a serious incident in which he was struck by a van while riding his scooter to fetch his friend’s forgotten football boots, resulting in severe bilateral wrist fractures.
Local paramedics quickly arrived on the scene and requested the assistance of Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Given the close proximity of YAA’s Nostell Air Base, Paramedic Sam Berridge responded in the charity’s rapid response vehicle as a precaution.
Upon arrival, Oliver was conscious and in considerable pain, but he had not yet regained full awareness. Sam quickly assessed his condition and administered intranasal ketamine for fast acting pain relief while conducting a primary survey. Recognising the need for additional support, he requested assistance from the YAA team, who were just a short 4-minute flight away with access to a greater range of drugs.
During the journey to the hospital, Dr. Driver located a vein in Oliver’s foot, allowing him to administer longer-lasting intravenous pain relief, ensuring he remained comfortable for the remainder of the transfer.
Reflecting on the incident, Oliver shared, “Right before it happened, I saw something out of the corner of my eye and put my hand up in front of my head since I wasn’t wearing a helmet. I feel lucky to have gotten away with just two broken wrists.”
After a recovery period of twelve weeks, he is back to doing what he loves most—playing football. “I couldn’t shower, eat, or write by myself, which was really tough. But the hardest part was not being able to kick a ball. Luckily the accident happened at the end of the season, giving me time to heal. Now I am back, and it feels amazing to be in the goal, saving shots again!”
The episode also follows the YAA team as they respond to various emergencies, including a serious motorbike accident, a farmer crushed by his quadbike, and a 65-year-old woman who fell on the rocks at the Strid in Bolton Abbey.