Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s hit TV series Yorkshire Air 999 has been named among the finalists at this year’s Royal Television Society Yorkshire Awards, a night celebrating more than 20 categories honouring the very best of the region’s television talent.
Narrated by acclaimed actor David Morrissey, the series is now in its second season, airing on the Really channel and streaming on Discovery+. It has been shortlisted in the High Volume Factual category, alongside Cause of Death, Our Great Yorkshire Life and Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics.
Produced by Air TV, also in the running for Production Company of the Year, Yorkshire Air 999 takes viewers inside one of the UK’s busiest air ambulance charities, capturing the skill, dedication and emotion of every mission.
Filmed using a combination of body-worn cameras, helicopter-mounted minicams, and a multi-camera set-up in YAA’s operations room at its Nostell air support unit in Wakefield, the series is also brought to life by a dedicated camera operator who joins the crew on missions to capture every moment up close. Together, these perspectives follow the charity’s pilots, technical crew, paramedics and doctors as they respond to life-threatening emergencies across the region.
Each mission is shown from the moment a 999 call comes in, to the patient handover at hospital, with follow-up interviews offering a moving insight into the lasting impact of YAA’s work.
The show’s cases range from cardiac arrests and road traffic collisions to complex equestrian accidents, sporting injuries and rural rescues, all set against Yorkshire’s dramatic landscapes. Viewers also witness the advanced, often lifesaving, treatments performed by the critical care team, including rapid sequence intubation, thoracostomies, roadside blood transfusions, and advanced airway management.
Matt Richards, Managing Director at Air TV, said, “It’s a privilege to work alongside Yorkshire Air Ambulance and tell the stories of the people whose lives they touch. Being shortlisted is a tribute to the skill of our production team and the trust YAA has placed in us to show their work with honesty and authenticity.”
The winners of the RTS Yorkshire Awards will be announced on 24 October at Headingley Stadium, with categories ranging from drama and documentary to news, animation, factual entertainment and more. Special awards for Hidden Hero, Outstanding Contribution and Professional Excellence will also be revealed on the night.
Dr Stuart Reid, Medical Director at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said, “Yorkshire Air 999 gives viewers a true window into our world. It shows the split-second decisions, the advanced treatments delivered in challenging conditions, and the human stories that stay with us long after the mission ends. The series is filmed with real sensitivity and respect for our patients, and we are incredibly proud to see the work of our crews recognised with this nomination.”