The latest episode of Yorkshire Air 999, airing on Really and discovery+ this Friday 18 July at 9PM, follows the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) team as they respond to a serious horse-riding incident in North Yorkshire.
Beth Walker, who has over 20 years of experience owning and riding horses, was at a local cross-country track with her horse, Tommy. While jumping over a large log fence, she lost her balance when her horse landed, falling off to the side and hitting the ground hard. Her friends, who she was riding with, immediately called 999 for help, reporting that her leg was out of shape and she was pale and unable to move.
Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Nostell-based Critical Care Team, comprised of Paramedics Terri-Ann Lonie and Dr Dan Slane, were immediately dispatched 13 miles to the village of Burn in North Yorkshire.
Upon arrival, the crew joined land ambulance paramedics to assess Beth’s injuries. Thankfully, she had remained conscious and was wearing both a helmet and back protector at the time of the fall, helping to limit further injuries. However, after assessing her injuries, Dr Dan confirmed she had sustained a suspected femur fracture, an injury that, due to the size and strength of the bone, can cause significant internal bleeding.
Terri-Ann said, “She was in a lot of pain when we got there. With a femur fracture, the broken bone can damage nearby blood vessels, so we work quickly to manage pain, assess circulation, and realign the leg.”
To keep Beth as comfortable as possible, the YAA critical care team administered a carefully controlled combination of morphine and ketamine, along with gas and air, all commonly used in emergency medicine. Ketamine is particularly effective as it induces a dissociative state, helping to reduce both the patient’s awareness of their injuries and their stress response. Throughout the process, the crew remained calm and reassuring, speaking gently to help keep Beth relaxed. This approach is an essential part of care when using ketamine, as the drug can cause sensations of dizziness or disorientation
With Beth comfortable, the team applied a traction splint to straighten and stabilise her leg. The device uses metal rods and straps to gently pull the leg into alignment and relieve pressure on the fracture. Once complete, Dr checked for a distal pulse to ensure blood flow had been restored.
Dr Dan commented, “It’s important we realign the leg at the scene. Broken bone edges are sharp, and any movement increases the risk of damaging veins and arteries. Straightening the leg reduces pain and limits internal bleeding.”
With her leg secure, Beth was transferred onto a scoop stretcher and taken to York Hospital by land ambulance, joined by her mum, who had arrived at the scene after receiving a call from one of Beth’s friends.
Scans at hospital confirmed that Beth had broken her femur in two places. She underwent emergency surgery to have a permanent metal rod implanted from her hip to her knee, to help stabilise the bone. Doctors estimate it could take up to eight months for her to fully heal.
Reflecting on her accident, Beth said, “I started riding when I was about seven and now have three horses. I’ve come off plenty of times, been stood on and kicked, but I’ve never actually broken anything—until now. I wasn’t keen on the fence, but I’d already jumped it once. This time, I just lost my balance and couldn’t stay in the saddle. I remember hitting the ground and then when the ketamine kicked in—I felt like I went to about nine different planets!”
She continued, “It’s been tough, but the girls from the yard have been amazing. They’ve kept me updated with pictures and videos of the horses, and I’m now able to visit them in the evenings. Horses are so intuitive, they know something’s wrong and have been really gentle with me. I might not jump for a while, but I’m determined to get back in the saddle and canter through the fields with my friends again.”
This week’s episode also features a man who fell eight metres down a rockface at Kilnsey Crag, a 62-year-old runner who collapsed during the York 10K, and a motorcyclist who suffered an open pelvic fracture after being thrown from his bike.