Man Trapped Under Tractor for Over Two Hours Rescued by Yorkshire Air Ambulance

YAA’s Nostell-based Critical Care Team, consisting of Paramedic Wayne Jones and Dr Steve Rowe, were dispatched to the incident, travelling more than 50 miles by air to reach the isolated location. They were the first to arrive, landing over half a mile away and making their way on foot along a rough, stone track.  

While on route, Dr Steve explained the dangers of crush injuries, he said, “When patients are pinned, heavy pressure on the tissue can cause it to die, releasing toxins into the bloodstream. The longer someone is trapped, the greater the risk. That was a real concern on the way to Stephen.”

Arriving at the scene, the crew were met with multiple hazards. The tractor’s engine was still running, emitting toxic fumes, while diesel leaked from the tank. Once the ignition was switched off, the team began assessing Stephen, who was struggling with arm, shoulder and chest pain, shortness of breath, and a crushed arm with no sensation in his hand. Pain relief, clotting medication and morphine were administered to stabilise him while a rescue plan was put into action.

Working alongside North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, who were brought up the hillside by local farmer Abe Dent on his quadbike, before using high-pressure air bags capable of lifting 60 tonnes to gradually raise the tractor. But as the vehicle lifted, its mudguard pressed into Stephen’s chest, forcing the team to pause and reposition.

Dr Steve recalled, “Stephen began to feel very tired, something we sometimes see with ‘peri-rescue collapse’, when patients can suddenly deteriorate just as help arrives. Given how long he had been trapped, I knew this was a critical moment where things could quickly change.”

With the risk of potassium from the crushed tissues flooding his system once released, the crew administered calcium to protect Stephen’s heart. After over two hours, the tractor was finally lifted enough to slide him free. He was quickly placed into a thermal sleeping bag to warm him and carried to the helicopter with assistance from the local Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team.

Stephen was flown to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, where trauma teams were waiting. He remained in hospital for 12 days, recovering from eight broken ribs, a fractured shoulder, broken sternum and punctured lung.

Reflecting on the mission, Dr Steve said, “In some ways, Stephen was very fortunate. The tractor didn’t impact directly in the middle of his chest, which could have caused far more serious injuries. I can’t imagine how uncomfortable and frightening the first hour must have been for him before we arrived. Where he was trapped, on top of the moors and away from any public footpath, there was no chance of anyone passing by to find him. Had he not been able to reach his phone, the outcome could have been very different. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Fire and Rescue Service and Mountain Rescue, Stephen was freed safely and taken to hospital without delay.”