Patients

Joe Billingham, 34, was exercising a horse named, Lolli, in an outdoor riding arena when she unexpectedly reared. Attempting to calm her, Joe used a gentle vocal cue to guide her back into schooling. However, Lolly reared again, losing her balance and falling backwards, crushing Joe in the process. The impact left him in excruciating pain, unable to move or feel his legs, and struggling to breathe. Concerned witnesses quickly called 999, fearing the severity of his injuries.

The team administered a high dose of morphine to alleviate Joe’s severe pain and decided to move him from the cold ground to the privacy and warmth of the land ambulance for further assessment. Using a Kendrick Extrication Device (KED), they carefully immobilised Joe, ensuring his back remained straight and his neck stable during the transfer. Leanne explained, “The KED allowed us to safely move him without causing further damage or increasing his discomfort”.

Once inside the ambulance, Joe’s condition improved slightly, and he was able to move his toes, offering a hopeful sign amidst the worrying situation. Following on-scene care, the YAA crew worked with local paramedics to arrange his transfer by land ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary for further scans and treatment.

At the hospital, X-rays revealed that Joe had not suffered a spinal fracture, but he had broken eight ribs in the fall. He spent three days in the hospital recovering from his injuries and is continuing his rehabilitation at home.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Joe said, “As a horse rider, you never think these things will happen to you. I’ve ridden horses for three decades, but it all happened so quickly. I can’t thank the Yorkshire Air Ambulance team enough for the incredible care they gave me that day—they made a frightening experience so much more manageable”.

Speaking about equestrian-related incidents, Terri-Ann highlighted the risks involved. “There’s a lot of protective gear that horse riders wear, but if they aren’t wearing it, the injuries can be much worse when they fall. Thankfully, Joe was wearing his safety gear, which likely prevented even more serious injuries. We’re so pleased to learn he’s making a good recovery”.

The episode also follows the YAA team as they respond to a range of emergencies, including an elderly woman that had fallen from steep ladders in her garden, a cyclist that came off his bike on a country road breaking 14 bones including his neck and a 12-year-old boy that fell from a motorcross bike requiring emergency surgery for his leg.

Reegan had been riding with friends on a wet and muddy field near his home when he lost control of his bike as the front wheel skidded into a small ditch. Thrown from the bike, he sustained a serious open fracture to his lower right leg. His father, who was nearby at the time, rushed to his side to comfort him while they waited for help to arrive.

To manage the intense pain of straightening his leg, the team administered ketamine, a powerful analgesic. Reegan’s dad played a crucial role in keeping him calm, sharing happy memories to distract him as the medication took effect. Once relaxed, Tom expertly straightened the leg, applied bandages to control the bleeding, before applying a vacuum splint to reduce further pain and movement.

Reegan was carefully loaded into the helicopter and flown to Leeds General Infirmary (LGI), a major trauma centre, where a team of specialists were ready to perform surgery and repair his leg with a metal implant.

Throughout the ordeal, Reegan showed remarkable spirit, even jokingly nicknaming the YAA crew “Mr Orange” and “Mr Blue” after their distinctive uniforms. Tom said, “Despite the seriousness of the situation, Reegan’s humour and bravery brought positivity to a challenging job.”

Reegan began his recovery journey, which included intensive physiotherapy. Looking back on the accident, Reegan said, “The ground was so wet, and my bike just flipped when the wheel got stuck in a ditch. I’ve spent weeks playing video games while recovering, but I can’t wait to get back to riding—on a new bike! I even got to visit the Nostell air base with my family and see Tom again. My leg was still in its cage, but it was great to catch up and talk about everything that happened that day!”

The episode also follows the YAA team as they respond to a range of emergencies, including an elderly woman that had fallen from steep ladders in her garden, a cyclist that came off his bike on a country road breaking 14 bones including his neck and a serious equestrian accident.

Archie Goddard, a Year 9 student from Skipton, was fielding during a PE lesson when he lunged to catch a fast-moving ball. Instead, the ball struck his knee, causing a severe lateral dislocation that left him in excruciating pain and unable to move. Concerned about possible vascular compromise – a serious condition where blood flow is restricted to the injured area – YAA’s critical care team, located at RAF Topcliffe in Thirsk were dispatched to the incident.

Sam administered gas and air to help ease Archie’s discomfort before skilfully guiding the dislocated kneecap back into place. Sam explained, “Relocating a kneecap requires a balance of realigning the joint while supporting the kneecap to avoid causing further damage. It’s not difficult, but it can be extremely painful, so it was important to keep him calm and comfortable.”

Despite the procedure being painful, the relief was almost instant. Archie, who had been in visible distress, was soon smiling and chatting, and wanting to stand up, showing a remarkable turnaround.

Despite Archie’s improvement, Sam took precautions to prevent any movement that could cause further damage to his kneecap, nerves, or tendons, which could become trapped following the relocation procedure. To ensure stability, Archie’s leg was immobilised in a vacuum splint before arrangements were made for a local land ambulance, to transport him to Airedale General Hospital for further scans.

X-rays at the hospital confirmed that the procedure at the scene was a success and that there was no additional damage, with doctors advising Archie to rest for a few weeks. Now fully recovered, Archie is back to his normal activities, including playing cricket and going to the gym.

Reflecting on the job, Sam said, “It’s rare in our line of work to see such an immediate turnaround in a patient’s condition. The second the knee popped back into place, Archie was like a different person—pain-free and ready to get back to his life”.

Grateful for YAA’s assistance, Archie said, “I’m so thankful for the team arriving when they did. I’d been lying there for ages, and Sam helped me right away. It all happened so fast – I just remember looking down and my knee was completely out of place. Once the gas and air it kicked in everything just went white and once my knee popped back into place, the pain was completely gone! I just wanted to get back up on my feet. The recovery passed by so quickly, now I don’t even remember which knee it was!”.

The episode also follows the YAA team as they respond to a range of emergencies, including a serious motorbike accident, a 2-year-old who had fallen 12 feet from a window, and an elderly diabetic gentleman who became lost on a walk near the Yorkshire Coast, sparking a major rescue mission.

Ben was just 0.4 miles into a bike ride after work with a friend when his journey took a devastating turn. While navigating a narrow 60mph lane, he collided with a car, the force of which threw him over 15 metres from his bike, catapulting him from his bike, hitting his head on a dry-stone wall of a residential garden.

Ben’s protective riding gear, including a helmet, leathers, gloves, and a back protector, was vital in reducing the severity of his injuries. Sam said, “We attend a huge number of motorcycle accidents, and there’s a vast difference between people who wear protective clothing and those who don’t. In this case, it definitely reduced the injuries Ben would have had”.

Carefully transferring Ben onto a stretcher, they moved him into the land ambulance, where they could provide further care in a more private environment. The team administered advanced treatments, including morphine for pain relief and tranexamic acid (TXA) to help stem potential internal bleeding caused by the impact of the collision.

Once in the ambulance, paramedics were relieved to see Ben’s Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) improve, indicating he had become more alert and responsive compared to his initial assessment.

The YAA team coordinated with the land ambulance crew to transfer Ben to the nearest major trauma centre, Leeds General Infirmary, by road for further care. This also allowed the YAA helicopter to remain on standby for any other potential life-threatening emergencies.

At the hospital, scans revealed Ben suffered a broken shoulder, a dislocation of his first right rib, damage to his right AC joint, and a partially collapsed lung, alongside significant bruising.

Ben spent three nights in hospital before returning home on crutches and is now recovering with regular physiotherapy sessions. Reflecting on the incident, he said, “I’m incredibly thankful to everyone who helped me that day—from the YAA team to the ambulance crews, and the doctors and nurses at LGI. The speed and professionalism with which they all responded truly made a difference and gave me the best chance at recovery”. Ben continued, “I can’t stress enough how important protective gear is. If I hadn’t been wearing mine, the injuries could have been much worse, or even fatal. It saved my life, and I’d urge every motorcyclist to wear the proper gear”.

Yorkshire Air 999 continues to offer a unique insight into the vital work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance, highlighting the critical role the service plays in saving lives across the region. The episode also follows the YAA team as they respond to other emergencies, including a schoolboy who suffers a dislocated knee during a cricket match, an elderly diabetic gentleman who is lost while walking along Yorkshires coast, prompting a major rescue mission and a 2-year-old baby that had fallen 12 feet from a window.

Steve, then 75, had been enjoying a day of climbing at Slipstone Crags with his wife when the accident occurred. As he abseiled down a steep crag, he lost his footing, causing him to flip upside down in his harness. Left hanging on the rope and struggling to breathe, Steve eventually managed to continue his abseil to the ground. His wife immediately called 999, fearing he had struck his back against the rockface during the fall.

The initial assessment conducted by the mountain rescue team indicated that Steve had sustained severe injuries, including potential rib fractures, spinal injuries, and heel pain. Medics were also concerned about tenderness over his spleen, suggesting potential internal injuries. YAA paramedics immediately initiated pain management, administering a high dose of morphine to alleviate Steve’s severe discomfort.

Becky explained the difficulties involved in treating a patient of Steve’s age in such a remote environment, she said, “From 65 onwards, we tend to see much more severe injuries as bones become more fragile and the body’s resilience decreases. Even when using the correct safety gear, the impact forces during a fall can cause significant damage.”

Working closely together, YAA and Mountain Rescue secured Steve in a vacuum mattress and used specialist hoisting equipment to carefully lift him up the crag face. The complex manoeuvre required precision and coordination, with mountain rescuers, paramedics, and even YAA’s pilot and technical crew member all pitching in to safely transport him to the top without causing further injury.

Once at the top, the YAA team conducted a secondary assessment before loading Steve into the helicopter for a rapid transfer to Leeds General Infirmary, where he spent 8 days being treated for his injuries, with doctors originally anticipating a year long recovery.

Steve has since made a remarkable recovery and has already returned to climbing after just 4 months thanks to intensive physiotherapy. Expressing his gratitude for the emergency teams, Steve said, “I am so thankful to everyone who helped me, the YAA team were fantastic – they managed my pain, kept me calm and got me to the hospital quickly. Additionally, the mountain rescue team were essential; without them, I don’t know how they would have gotten me off the crag.”

The episode will also follow YAA’s crew as they respond to other emergencies, including a teenager from Harrogate who suffered an open leg fracture from a skateboard fall, a woman injured while walking the Coast to Coast route, and a young motorcyclist involved in a serious accident on his way home from school.

George had been on his motorbike in Kirkbymoorside when he lost control on a patch of freshly laid gravel, colliding with a heavy goods vehicle (HGV). The impact threw him from his bike into the middle of the road, leaving him drifting in and out of consciousness. YAA’s critical care paramedics, Terri-Ann and Max, were dispatched to the scene, prepared for the range of potential injuries often seen in motorbike incidents, which account for a significant 20% of road fatalities in the UK despite making up less than 1% of road traffic.

After assessing the situation, the YAA crew coordinated with a local land ambulance team to transfer George to York Hospital for further care. Speaking about the decision, Max commented, “George’s injuries were well-managed by the land ambulance, which allowed us to remain available for any potential life-threatening emergencies that might arise”.

George underwent surgery for the broken arm and spent several weeks recovering. Despite the setback, he has since fully recovered and is now back to enjoying his passion for riding, albeit with a more cautious approach.

Reflecting on the incident, George said, “I was slowing down for the junction but didn’t realise there was fresh gravel on the road, and my bike just slid out. It was a bad crash. At the hospital, they took an X-ray and scheduled me for surgery a few days later. Honestly, I was more upset about my bike—I remember seeing it and thinking, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me!’”.

He continued, “I’m definitely more cautious on my bike now. After something like that, I think it’s only natural to become a more careful rider”.

Yorkshire Air 999 continues to offer a unique insight into the vital work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance, highlighting the critical role the service plays in saving lives across the region. The episode also follows the YAA team as they respond to other emergencies, including a child in Harrogate with an open leg fracture from a skateboard fall, a woman injured while walking the Coast-to-Coast route with friends, and a climber who suffered a significant fall from a steep crag in North Yorkshire.

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.

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.

In April 2024, Phoebe was out for a walk with her mother, Rose, and her brother. They had just paused for lunch when Phoebe began to struggle with her breathing. Having not used her inhaler or experienced an asthma attack for a year and a half, the sudden onset of symptoms alarmed the family.

When YAA received the emergency call, Phoebe was situated on a hillside high above Keld, one of the smallest and most isolated villages in Yorkshire. The nearest land ambulance was over 62 minutes away, while the YAA’s critical care team were able to arrive the scene within 20 minutes, covering the 34-mile journey from their Topcliffe air base in Thirsk.

Phoebe’s mother, Rose, recounted the panic of the situation, she said, “I didn’t know what to do; I was running up and down the hills trying to get a signal, but I didn’t have any. I saw someone at the bottom of the path, and I charged down the hill, he must have thought I was mad! The man had an app that could contact the emergency services and pinpoint exactly where we were, even without signal – so that’s how we managed to call for help.”

Once Phoebe’s breathing was under control, the YAA team prescribed additional asthma medication similar to her inhaler, which she had left at home. They also administered a steroid to assist with her breathing. “She was feeling really unwell, and her body was working hard to stay conscious”, Sammy explained. “Asthma can be very serious, even fatal at times, but thankfully not today”.

After stabilising her condition, the YAA team transported Phoebe by air to the nearest road where a land ambulance crew were waiting. Following a thorough check of her vitals, Phoebe was then taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital for further treatment.

Reflecting on the fortunate circumstances of the day, Sam commented, “I think Phoebe’s stars aligned that day. If one part of the puzzle hadn’t worked out—had we landed further away, if mountain rescue hadn’t been called, or if that person walking past hadn’t been able to send the location to emergency services—it could have been a very different story. There was no other way off that hill.”

Since the incident, Phoebe is feeling much better, experiencing only slight wheeziness from time to time. Phoebe said, “I’m so grateful for the help I received. It was a scary experience, but thanks to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance team, I’m okay now and ready to get back to my walks”.

The episode airing on Friday, 1st November, will also follow the YAA team as they respond to other emergencies such as: a climber who fell 30 feet on the Yorkshire Three Peaks, a man in Harrogate with near-severed fingers, and a serious equestrian accident in a remote 100 acre field in North Yorkshire.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Critical Care Team, including Paramedics Sam Berridge and Matty McCabe, responded swiftly from YAA’s Topcliffe base, reaching Chris within nine minutes. Due to the rural setting, the team had to land the helicopter a quarter of a mile from the scene, and then proceed on foot before joining a land ambulance crew already on site.

Reflecting on the critical nature of Chris’s injury, Sam said, “When you hear about fingers caught in machinery, the goal is to manage pain immediately and maintain blood supply to improve the chances of reattachment. Time is critical in cases like Chris’s, as prolonged lack of blood flow can mean tissue damage, affecting surgical success later.”

On assessing Chris’s injuries, the team administered a “ring block” injecting a local anaesthetic called lidocaine to numb his fingers and relieve his intense pain, allowing the team to safely stabilise his hand. Sam explained, “Each finger has four nerves—two at the top and two at the bottom. The ring block allows us to numb the area by targeting these nerves, effectively stopping the pain signals from reaching the brain.” The ring block took effect immediately, with Chris feeling far calmer and more comfortable after the procedure.

Due to the risk of infection from soil and dirt on his hands, Chris was also given antibiotics before being transferred by land ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary. He later underwent a complex four-and-a-half-hour surgery, during which surgeons carefully reattached his fingers using four pins in his middle finger and one in his index finger.

As a plasterer by trade, Chris expressed relief and gratitude for the care he received, stating, “I need my fingers for my work, so I’m incredibly thankful to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance team. Their support and expertise really made a difference that day. While I face a long recovery and weekly physiotherapy, I’m hopeful about regaining full use of my hand. My fingers are still swollen and sore but keeping them is something I’ll never take for granted. I feel very lucky they were there when I needed them most.”

Chris’s story will air on Friday, 1st November, will also follow the YAA team as they respond to other emergencies such as: a climber who fell 30 feet on the Yorkshire Three Peaks, a serious equestrian accident and a 13-year-old girl facing a life-threatening asthma attack in the remote Dales.

While riding through Swainby, in May 2024, Claire’s horse, Emy, was startled and reared up, causing Claire to fall backward to the ground. In the process, Emy also lost her balance and fell, landing on top of Claire as she hit the ground, causing Claire to briefly lose consciousness from the impact. As Emy struggled to regain her footing, she rolled over Claire and, in the process, stood on her chest. This traumatic incident left Claire breathless and in severe pain, causing significant injuries, including two fractures to her right scapula, seven broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a severe pelvic injury, with her pelvis separating at the front and fracturing at the back.

Speaking about the importance of rapid intervention, Stewart said, “We can help prevent worsening conditions at the scene, but the actual treatment for injuries like these comes from surgery and advanced care at a Major Trauma Centre. That’s why we aim to get patients to trauma facilities within the ‘golden hour’ – the faster they receive lifesaving surgical treatment, the greater their chances for recovery.”

YAA’s team transported Claire to James Cook University Hospital, where she underwent emergency treatment and monitoring for her injuries, resulting in a 10-day hospital stay. Doctors at the hospital estimate her injuries may take up to a year for her to fully heal.

Despite her injuries, Claire’s dedication to horses remains unwavering. “At this stage, I don’t know if I’ll be able to ride again, but I’m very hopeful. If I can ride, I definitely want to get back on board. For now though, Emy is content just getting cuddles and being in her field”, she said.

Reflecting on her rescue, Claire expressed her gratitude to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance team, adding, “I don’t know what we’d have done without them, especially as the land ambulance couldn’t reach me because we were so far from a gateway in a 100-acre field. The crew were so skilled and compassionate and worked brilliantly as a team. I felt very looked after in their care. They were all amazing, and I really can’t thank them enough.”

The episode airing on Friday, 1st November, will also follow the YAA team as they respond to other emergencies such as: a climber who fell 30 feet on the Yorkshire Three Peaks, a man in Harrogate with near-severed fingers, and a 13-year-old girl facing a life-threatening asthma attack in the remote Dales.