The latest episode of Yorkshire Air 999, airing on Really and discovery+ this Friday 20th June at 9PM, follows the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) team as they respond to a woman trapped beneath a large stack of heavy wooden boards while working on a DIY project in her back garden.
42-year-old Kim Shoyer from Thirsk was working alone on a DIY garden project affectionately known as her “hobby house”. While attempting to drill into wooden battens at the highest point of the structure, she lost her balance and fell approximately 1.5 metres onto the floor below. In the process, she dislodged a wooden pallet that had been supporting several large OSB construction boards. The boards, weighing around a third of a tonne, collapsed onto her, pinning her to the ground in a confined space, leaving her unable to move.
Despite being in pain and unable to free herself, Kim managed to call 999. She was in significant distress and reported head, facial, and leg pain, and was uncertain about possible bleeding.
Due to the risk of crush injuries and the limited access to the scene, Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Topcliffe-based Critical Care Team, comprised of Paramedics Darren James and Leanne Davis, were immediately dispatched. They arrived on scene within five minutes, landing in a nearby field and quickly making their way to Kim’s property.
It took four firefighters to safely remove the panels before the team could conduct a thorough assessment of Kim’s injuries. After evaluating her for internal trauma, potential fractures, and closely monitoring her vital signs including blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation, it was determined that she had escaped with bruising but no broken bones or serious injuries.
Although Kim initially declined hospital treatment, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance team stayed on scene until they were confident she was stable before handing her care over to local land ambulance paramedics. The land team continued with further assessments and the necessary documentation, allowing YAA’s critical care team to become available for other emergencies across the region.
A few days later, Kim developed painful trauma blisters and sought further treatment. She was referred to the trauma outpatients team at James Cook Hospital, where she continues to attend fortnightly appointments. Doctors are monitoring a large hematoma on the back of her leg, caused by the crush injury, due to the potential risk of complications such as blood clots. Despite the ongoing pain and regular treatment, Kim remains positive and determined.
Speaking about the incident, Kim said, “That morning, my husband warned me not to go near the wall because I can be unsteady on my feet, but I was determined to finish the project. I remember falling hard and feeling scared. I know I was very lucky, my injuries could have been a lot worse. I’m so grateful the Yorkshire Air Ambulance team arrived so quickly and were able to check me over right away. It gave me great peace of mind knowing I was in such safe hands.”
Despite the ordeal, Kim is continuing with her passion for DIY and has since finished the garden workshop. “No accident was going to stop me – I don’t give up. That’s just not me!”
Reflecting on the mission, Darren added, “Working on the air ambulance, we respond to a huge variety of incidents – and this was definitely one of the more unusual. Kim was very lucky. She was trapped but not injured in the way we often expect in these situations. It could have been a lot worse.”
Alongside Kim’s story, this episode also features a 26-year-old cyclist who suffered blood clots in his brain after falling during a ride with his local cycling club, a patient experiencing a severe asthma attack, and a motorcyclist who was seriously injured after crashing and landing in a ditch.