Wednesday 24th September 2025 saw the launch of the first ever YAA Podcast, ‘Summat in t’Air’, and what better way to launch than to hear from our longest serving paramedic Sammy Wells. Listen to the podcast below, and find the readable version just underneath.
25 Years of Yorkshire Air Ambulance: Sammy Wells on Saving Lives, Flying High, and Becoming a Role Model
In 2025, Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) celebrates an incredible 25 years of service – a quarter-century of life-saving missions, technological innovation, and extraordinary dedication from the crew that makes it all happen.
To mark the occasion, we sat down with Sammy Wells, the Charity’s longest-serving paramedic and one of the most experienced HEMS paramedics in the UK. Her journey with YAA is nothing short of remarkable – filled with unforgettable rescues, unexpected turns (including becoming a patient herself), and a passion for insipring the next generation.
“I Want to Be a Paramedic on a Helicopter”
Sammy’s dream began when she was just 14. She remembers bursting into the dad’s office in Elland and declaring, “I know what I want to be – a paramedic on a helicopter!” At the time, there were no paramedics in the UK, and the idea seemed to be far-fetched – “You’ll have to join the military or go to America,” her dad told her.
But in 2002, that dream became a reality when Sammy joined the newly launched Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which had just one aircraft based in West Yorkshire. It was early days for the Charity, and recruitment was tight. Sammy nearly missed the deadline, only applying the day before – “If you’d been on holiday, you’d have missed it” she laughs.
First Flight, First Patient
Thrown in at the deep end, Sammy was on shift the day after passing her tests. ” There was no time to get nervous”, she recalls. Her first mission took her from Leeds Bradford Airport to Horsforth, where she treated a pregnant woman injured in a car crash. Thankfully, everything turned out fine – a gentle introduction to what would become a life-changing career.
From One Bag to a Flying A&E
Looking back over 25 years, the evolution of kit and capability is staggering. “We used to have one rucksack, a splint and a bit of Entonox”, Sammy says. Now, the crew carry enough gear to rival an A&E department – and perform procedures that would only happen in hospital.
From introducing morphine to helicopter crews, to working with cutting-edge trauma equipment, the mission has always been to bring the hospital to the patient – wherever they are.
Helicopters, Helipads and Humble Beginnings
The aircraft have also come a long way. Early missions were tight and cramped, with no space to move. ” If you sneezed, you could hit the patient”, Sammy jokes. Now, the state-of-the-art helicopters allow for night flying, larger crews, and smoother patient care.
In the early 2000s, only Leeds General Infirmary had a dedicated helipad. Everywhere else? “You landed wherever you could – a playing field, a car park, a farmer’s field”, Sammy explains. Even now, YAA helicopters often take off without knowing exactly where they’ll land.
Memorable Missions – and a Cat Called ‘Little one’
Over two decades, Sammy has been part of hundreds of missions – from dramatic trauma rescues to unexpected births. “We delivered twins at the side of the roadside once”, she recalls. One of the most unusual callouts? A woman called 999 after witnessing “the little one” get hit by a car. Assuming it was a child, the team scrambled – only to find it was a kitten. Officially, Yorkshire Air Ambulance has once been a veterinary service!
When the Rescuer Becomes the Patient
In an ironic twist, Sammy once broke her leg during a mission. While carrying kit across rough terrain, her leg fell into a badger or fox hole – and snapped. “I thought my leg was on fire”, she remembers. Too proud to make a fuss, she pretended to sunbathe while waiting for her team to return. Later, she ended up side-by-side in X-ray with the original patient, both with broken legs.
“I did think about cannulating myself”, she laughs. “But I wasn’t sure if I’d get done for drug abuse.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
As one of the most recognisable faces – and voices – off YAA, Sammy is often stopped in public. “People say, ‘I recognise your voice!’ – even if they haven’t seen my face£, she says.
But beyond the celebrity, it’s the mentoring and legacy that matter most. Sammy has helped guide dozens of new recruits and is an associate lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University. One of her proudest moments? Working alongside a colleague who once watched her on TV as a child.
“I love seeing new paramedics grow”, she says. “It’s a privilege.”
Looking Ahead: The Next 25 Years
What’s next for Yorkshire Air Ambulance?
“I hope we get a third aircraft to cover East Yorkshire”, Sammy says. “And that we continue to aspire higher. Never sit still.”
There’s also been a big shift in gender balance – something Sammy is proud of. “There was one women’s locker when I started. Now we’ve got three, four. Bring it on!”
Final Words: “Aspire Higher”
If Sammy could go back and give her younger self one message, it’s this:
“Go for it. My motto has always been aspire higher. And I did.”
And what does Yorkshire Air Ambulance mean to her today? ” Congratulations to the Charity for being successfully poor – every penny raised is spent wisely. Thank you for giving me the dream job.”
Thank you to Sammy for sharing her incredible journey, and to all of our crew, volunteers and supporters who keep us flying.
