Patients

Darrington Horse Rider Airlifted by Yorkshire Air Ambulance After Breaking Both Legs

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The latest episode of Yorkshire Air 999, airing on Really and discovery+ this Friday 6 June at 9PM, follows the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) team as they respond to an experienced equestrian who suffered serious leg injuries after falling from her horse on a remote bridle path near Darrington.

In early February 2024, Anne Woolley was enjoying her regular morning hack with her horse, Ted, when a group of off-lead dogs startled him. As Ted reared and spun, Anne was thrown from the saddle, landing hard on the ground. Fortunately, she was wearing a protective air vest, which deployed on impact, helping to cushion the fall and potentially lessen the severity of her injuries.

Despite being in significant pain, Anne managed to call 999 herself before losing signal. The accident was witnessed by a nearby landowner, who saw the fall and quickly came to assist, taking hold of Ted and borrowing Anne’s phone to confirm the call for help, remaining by Anne’s side until emergency services arrived.

YAA’s dispatcher immediately deployed the critical care team, comprised of Doctor Dave Driver and Paramedic Matty McCabe, who were responding in one of the charities two Rapid Response Vehicle’s (RRV’s) that day.  

Dr Dave explained, “The information we had was limited, just that a lady had fallen from a horse and had potentially fractured her leg. While en route, we received updates that the location was inaccessible by road, so we also deployed our Topcliffe-based helicopter to the scene.”

As the crew arrived at the edge of the woodland, they were joined by Anne’s husband, Kevan, who she had managed to call before losing signal. Together, they followed fresh hoofprints to reach Anne’s location. Upon arrival, the crew found Anne crouched and unable to move, with the landowner attempting to control the startled horse, which was blocking access. Kevan stepped in to help manage the horse, allowing the medical team to assess Anne’s condition.

Anne was in severe pain, particularly in her left leg. As the team gently moved her to examine the injury, Matty felt crepitus, a telltale grinding sensation that often indicates broken bones. Dr Dave explained that, given the height of Anne’s fall and the severity of her leg injury, they could not rule out internal bleeding. He said, “Injuries like this can be so distracting that patients may not realise there’s something else going on”.

Topcliffe-based Paramedics Chris Gibbins and Tammy Williams soon arrived by helicopter and joined the team already on scene. Working together, they stabilised Anne’s condition, which required urgent intervention to protect circulation in her lower limbs. To manage the intense pain before realigning her fractured legs, the team administered gas and air, followed by ketamine -a powerful pain-relieving drug commonly used in emergency medicine. Once Anne was relaxed, Dr Dave carefully secured her legs in a vacuum splint to minimise further movement during the transfer to hospital.

Despite the trauma, Anne’s thoughts were still with Ted. Dr Dave said, “She kept asking if someone was looking after her horse. That was her main concern at the time.”

Once stabilised and placed in a scoop stretcher and thermal sleeping bag, Anne was carefully carried through the woodland to the waiting helicopter and flown to Pinderfields Hospital. There, scans confirmed she had fractured both her legs, requiring her right ankle to be plated and her left leg pinned from knee to ankle.

Now recovering at home, Anne is limited to light stable chores and has even started riding again, very gradually.

Reflecting on the incident, she said, “It was such a shock when I fell. I’d landed in such a remote spot, and all I could think was that no one would find me, especially when I lost phone signal. I was so relieved when I saw the YAA team walking up to me. I can’t thank them enough for how kind and professional they were. I just remember telling the paramedics not to cut off my riding boots and that they have zips – Any rider would have said the same! I’ll be forever grateful to Yorkshire Air Ambulance for getting me the help I needed.”

This week’s episode of Yorkshire Air 999 also follows the crew as they attend a driver with suspected spinal injuries after a car flipped on a rural road, a man hurt in a collision while riding an electric bike, and a patient in cardiac arrest at home.

Young Motorcyclist Placed in Induced Coma Following Major Collision in Thirsk

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Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s rapid response to a devastating road traffic collision takes centre stage in the premiere episode of the highly anticipated second series of Yorkshire Air 999, airing Friday 30th May at 9 PM on Really and discovery+.

The series offers an unprecedented look into YAA’s life-saving critical care team, their courageous patients, and the communities they serve across Yorkshire. In this week’s episode, 17-year-old Katie Flounders from North Yorkshire is placed in a medically induced coma at the roadside following a serious motorbike collision near Thirsk, just weeks after getting her first bike.

Katie had just left a dental appointment and was riding home when her motorbike collided with a car only eight miles from her house. The impact threw her more than four metres across the road, where she struck her head and lost consciousness. The traumatic crash left her in severe pain and unresponsive, prompting immediate concern from first responders at the scene.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Topcliffe-based crew were dispatched from just five miles away. Reaching Katie within minutes, Pilot Harry and Technical Crew Member Will used night vision goggles to safely land the aircraft in a nearby field, while Doctor Dan and Paramedic Stew prepared to begin treatment.

Katie had already been lying in the road for over 20 minutes when the air ambulance team arrived. Land ambulance crews had started a primary assessment to examine her injuries. She had suffered a serious head injury, broken her pelvis on both sides, fractured her wrist and sustained a bruised liver. But the greatest concern was the possibility of a traumatic brain injury, something that can quickly become life-threatening without urgent intervention.

Paramedic Stew explained, “It appeared Katie was suffering from impact brain apnoea, a condition where a severe blow to the head temporarily stops a person from breathing. This puts the patient at serious risk of hypoxia, where the brain and body are deprived of vital oxygen.”

Katie was cold, confused and she was becoming increasingly agitated, a classic sign of brain trauma. The team quickly placed her on a scoop stretcher and moved her into the back of the land ambulance, where treatment could continue in a warmer, more controlled environment. There, Dr Dan made the critical decision to perform a Rapid Sequence Induction (RSI), placing Katie in a medically induced coma to protect her brain from further damage.

Commenting on the seriousness of the procedure, Paramedic Stew said, “An RSI is one of the most critical interventions we can perform. It takes away the patient’s ability to breathe independently, so we only carry it out when it’s absolutely necessary to keep someone alive.” With everything prepared, Katie was carefully moved to give Dr Dan the space needed to perform the RSI at the roadside. The necessary medications were administered, and Katie was safely placed into an induced coma. Dr Dan then inserted a breathing tube into her airway, allowing the team to take full control of her breathing using a ventilator.

The procedure is highly complex, must be carried out in a strict, step-by-step sequence, and requires a doctor to be present. This is why having a doctor on board Yorkshire Air Ambulance missions is vital for delivering advanced care when every second counts.

While the team worked on their patient, Katie’s parents arrived at the scene, having grown concerned when the app they use to track her location while out on her motorbike had stopped showing any movement. Paramedic Stew spoke with them to explain her condition and the care she was receiving. Once stabilised, Katie was transferred by land ambulance to James Cook University Hospital, accompanied by Dr Dan and Stew, where a pre-alerted trauma team was waiting to further assess her condition.

Katie spent nine days in hospital and was brought out of the coma the day after she arrived. Although she has no memory of the accident, she recalls the shock of waking up to learn the extent of her injuries. She has struggled with short-term memory loss and has deferred her college studies for a year to focus on recovery.

Katie said, “I never saw myself being in that situation. It was such a massive shock. Of all my physical injuries, the memory loss has been the hardest part. If I’m told something, I’ll forget it within a few hours. It’s really frustrating not even knowing if I was told something in the first place. I tried going back to college for a full day, but by half eleven I was texting my mum asking her to come and get me. It’s upsetting to push things back, but I know I’ll come back stronger next year.”

Katie had only had her motorbike for three weeks at the time of the crash and has since decided not to ride again.

Yorkshire Air 999 continues to offer a powerful behind-the-scenes look at the critical care and split-second decisions involved in YAA’s missions. Alongside Katie’s story, this episode features an 82-year-old farmer crushed by a half-tonne hay bale, a van driver trapped with serious leg injuries following a road traffic collision, and a young runner who dislocated his knee.

North Yorkshire Rider Assisted by Yorkshire Air Ambulance After Serious Horse Incident

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Chloe Smith, 27, from West Lutton near Malton, will feature in the upcoming episode of Yorkshire Air 999, airing on Really on Friday, March 7th at 9 PM. The episode showcases the rapid response of Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s (YAA) critical care team after Chloe was seriously injured after falling from her horse.

While making her way back to the stables after a routine winter hack, Chloe’s young horse, Comet, suddenly spooked at a puddle, throwing her off balance. She fell heavily to the ground, landing awkwardly on her leg and feeling immediate, intense pain. Sensing something was wrong, Comet instinctively sought help, approaching a postman who was getting into his van on a nearby street. Realising the horse was unattended and missing its rider, the postman followed him back to where Chloe lay injured. He quickly called 999 and helped her to alert her partner and family. As they waited for help, Comet refused to leave Chloe’s side, staying close until friends from the stables arrived to gently lead him home, ensuring he was safe while Chloe received the urgent care she needed.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Nostell-based critical care team, including Dr Steve Rowe and specialist critical care paramedic Sam Berridge, was rapidly dispatched 36 miles to reach Chloe. They landed in the field where she had fallen, prepared for the range of serious injuries often seen in equestrian accidents.

Upon arrival, the team swiftly conducted a thorough assessment of Chloe’s injuries, removing her tall riding boots to better examine the extent of her fractured ankle. Dr. Rowe evaluated her injuries and confirmed that although she had both broken and dislocated her ankle, she fortunately did not have an open fracture. Dr. Rowe explained, “Ankle injuries can be serious if the blood supply is disrupted, nerves are damaged, or the skin is affected. These complications can lead to long-term impairment. However, while Chloe’s bones were broken, the soft tissues around them remained intact, which was a positive sign”.

To manage the intense pain before realigning Chloe’s dislocated and fractured leg, Chloe was given gas and air, a fast-acting pain relief drug. Once relaxed, Dr Rowe skilfully straightened her leg, securing it in a vacuum splint, minimising further movement during transport to the hospital.

Despite her pain, Chloe’s thoughts remained with Comet, asking the team how he was doing. Chloe’s mum, Linda Hoggard, said, “She loves her horse and riding is her life, so I know it will be breaking her heart to not be able to do the sport she loves while she recovers from her injuries”.

After assessing the situation, the YAA crew worked with a local land ambulance team to transfer Chloe to Scarborough General Hospital, where a team of specialists was prepared to perform surgery to repair the damage to her ankle and leg. Chloe had a plate, and six screws fitted in her ankle, and is now fully committed to her recovery.

Reflecting on her accident, Chloe said, “This has been the worst pain I’ve ever experienced – I’d rather go through labour again than break my leg, which says a lot! I’ve been visiting Comet daily during my recovery, and even though I can’t ride him yet, just spending time with him keeps me going. I did have a cheeky sit on him, but that’s as far as I’ll be going for now! Mentally, I want to be back in the saddle, but I know I need to wait until I’m 100% ready. I can’t wait for that day! I am so grateful to the YAA team – they were brilliant and helped me so much in my time of need.”

Yorkshire Air 999 continues to offer a unique insight into the vital work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance, highlighting the critical role the service plays in saving lives across the region. The episode also follows the YAA team as they respond to other emergencies, including a motorcyclist that collided with a car, a 76-year-old walker who broke 7 ribs while walking in the rural dales, a cyclist that was thrown 30 feet from his bike after hitting a speed bump breaking his collarbone and fracturing his sternum.

Mountain Biker Airlifted After Shattering Leg in 15 Places in Forest Crash

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Mike Horberry, 52, is set to appear in the next episode of Yorkshire Air 999, airing on Really at 9 PM on Friday, February 28th. The episode showcases the rapid response of Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s (YAA) critical care team after Mike suffered a devastating leg injury, shattering his femur in 15 places while mountain biking with friends in an East Yorkshire forest.

Mike was out riding with friends when he hit a hidden jump at speed. Losing control of his bike, he was thrown over the bike’s handlebars, landing heavily with his leg twisted at an unnatural angle. The pain was instant and excruciating, leaving Mike unable to move on the cold forest floor. Realising the severity of his injuries, his friends quickly called 999 for help.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Nostell-based critical care team, including Pilot Phil Larkin, Technical Crew Member Loz Lyles and specialist critical care paramedics Ant Platt and Stew Ashburner-McManus, were swiftly dispatched 36 miles to reach Mike. As the helicopter approached, dense tree cover made it difficult to locate him. Acting swiftly, YAA’s dispatcher contacted the original 999 caller and instructed the group to move to the edge of the woods and signal their location by flashing their phone torches. Spotting the lights, Phil landed in a nearby wheat field, before the crew followed the cyclists into the woods.

Upon arrival, the team quickly assessed Mike’s injuries. His femur, the longest and strongest bone in the body, was visibly misaligned, and the extreme position of his leg suggested a serious fracture. Paramedic Ant explained, “A femur fracture is a significant injury. The leg was pinned up near his armpit, and we could immediately see the severity of the situation. Stabilising and transporting him is a lengthy process, so we knew we’d be with Mike for some time, ensuring he was as comfortable as possible”.

To manage Mike’s pain before realigning his leg for transport, the team administered gas and air alongside ketamine, a powerful analgesic commonly used in emergency medicine. As Paramedic Ant explained, “Ketamine is a really effective drug for procedures like realigning a limb. It provides significant pain relief and some sedation, which helps us work more effectively. It also helps to release any muscle spasms, making the realignment smoother. It’s a very safe drug, but it can be a little unpredictable depending on the patient’s medical history. We always encourage those around the patient to stay calm and quiet, monitoring them closely for any adverse reactions. Ketamine is also dissociative, so Mike won’t remember the procedure afterward”.

Once the medication took effect, Stew and Ant skilfully rolled Mike onto a scoop stretcher, realigning his leg in the process. While Ant applied traction and secured the leg with a Kendrick splint, Stew conducted a secondary assessment to check for any other injuries. Mike was then placed in a thermal sleeping bag to prevent further heat loss after lying on the cold forest floor.

With assistance from his fellow cyclists, the YAA team carried Mike out of the woods to the waiting helicopter. He was airlifted to Hull Royal Infirmary, a major trauma centre, with the flight taking just three minutes. Scans later confirmed that Mike had shattered his femur in 15 places, requiring extensive surgery, and doctors have advised that his leg may never fully heal.

Reflecting on the accident, Mike said, “I’m very competitive, and I was pushing to get to the front of the group. I didn’t see the jump, and when I landed, the pain was like nothing I’d ever felt. My foot was basically under my armpit, and I couldn’t move without screaming. It was freezing cold on the ground, and I was shivering so much. When I heard the helicopter landing, I knew I was in safe hands”.

He continued, “The biggest impact has been on my lifestyle. I can’t do the things I love anymore, especially cycling. But I’ve come a long way since the accident—I’m back at work now, and I’m hoping that within the next 12 months, I’ll be back on my bike”.

Yorkshire Air 999 continues to offer a unique insight into the vital work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance, highlighting the critical role the service plays in saving lives across the region. The episode also follows the YAA team as they respond to other emergencies, including a woman who suffered a fractured skull and multiple brain bleeds after being kicked in the head by her horse, a motorcyclist injured in a collision with a van, and a joiner who fell six feet from a ladder at work.

Hiker Airlifted by Yorkshire Air Ambulance After Fall on Remote Coastal Trail

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Gillian Whiteford from Paisley in Scotland, is set to appear in the next episode of Yorkshire Air 999, airing on Really at 9 PM on Friday, February 21st. The episode showcases the rapid response of Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s (YAA) critical care team after Gillian suffered a severe ankle fracture during a hike along the Yorkshire coast.

Gillian, 66, was on holiday with her Husband and friends when they set out for a walk along the RSPB Bempton Cliffs Nature Reserve, a renowned bird-watching spot on the Yorkshire Coast. The area is an important breeding habitat for migratory seabirds, including puffins, and the group had hoped to catch a glimpse of them along the trail.

As Gillian carefully navigated the narrow, muddy clifftop path, she suddenly lost her footing and slipped. She landed heavily, hearing a loud crunch as pain shot through her leg. Her ankle was severely fractured at an unnatural angle, leaving her lying on the ground unable to move and exposed to the elements. With the remote location making access difficult, her Husband immediately called 999 for help.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s critical care team, comprised of Paramedics Andy Armitage and Tom Chatwyn, were quickly dispatched from their base at RAF Topcliffe in Thirsk. With the remote location inaccessible to a land ambulance, the helicopter was the only viable option for reaching Gillian. Flying 50 miles to the east coast at speeds of up to 160 mph, YAA was first on scene, closely followed by the Yorkshire Coastguard.

The YAA team carried out a full assessment of Gillian’s injuries and quickly became concerned when she lost sensation in her foot, a potential sign of restricted blood flow or nerve damage. To prevent further complications, her ankle needed to be straightened urgently.

To manage the intense pain before realigning her ankle, the team administered ketamine, a powerful analgesic with dissociative properties, alongside gas and air for fast-acting relief. Working closely with the Coastguard team, they carefully prepared to move Gillian. As they rolled her onto a stretcher, Andy expertly realigned her ankle in one swift motion – a critical but painful procedure made more manageable by the medication. With her injury stabilised in a vacuum splint, Gillian was placed in a thermal sleeping bag to help regulate her body temperature before being carefully loaded into the helicopter for the flight to hospital.

Gillian was airlifted 17 miles to Scarborough General Hospital, a journey that took just seven minutes by helicopter. She was diagnosed with a trimalleolar ankle fracture and dislocation and underwent surgery to repair her ankle. Surgeons fitted one plate and five screws on the right side of her ankle, two screws on the left side, and a screw running from front to back through the middle of her ankle. She is now recovering and undergoing regular physiotherapy, with doctors estimating it will take several months before she is fully healed.

Reflecting on the incident, Gillian said, “We’d been looking forward to our walk and had hoped to catch a glimpse of the puffins and other wildlife that make the area so special. I never imagined it would end the way it did. When I fell, the pain was unbearable, and I knew something was seriously wrong. Seeing the helicopter land was such a relief! I can’t put into words how grateful I am to the YAA team and everyone who helped me that day. Their skill and care made all the difference, and I’ll never forget what they did for me.”

Yorkshire Air 999 continues to provide a unique behind-the-scenes look at the lifesaving work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance, showcasing the critical role the service plays across the region. This episode also follows the YAA team as they respond to a woman who suffered a stroke while hiking up Pen-y-Ghent, part of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, a horse rider who sustained serious fractures and dislocations to both arms in a riding accident, and a motorcyclist who dislocated his shoulder in a fall.

12-Year-Old Rescued by YAA After Serious Off-Road Go-Kart Accident at Great Ouseburn

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Eli Jackson, a 12-year-old from North Yorkshire, is set to appear in the next episode of Yorkshire Air 999, airing on Really at 9 PM on Friday, February 14th. The episode showcases the rapid response of Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s (YAA) critical care team after Eli was seriously injured in an off-road buggy accident.

Eli had been attending a go-kart event with his family in the village of Great Ouseburn when the lightweight buggy he was in flipped over after he took a sharp turn. As the vehicle rolled several times, Eli instinctively put out his arm to break his fall, taking the full force of the crash. He suffered multiple injuries, including a compound fracture of his humerus, with the bone protruding through his skin.

Local road paramedics were first to arrive at the scene, where Eli was found conscious but disoriented and in severe pain. He reported pain in his head, chest, arm, and pelvis, prompting medics to request support from YAA’s critical care team to provide advanced pain relief and specialist trauma care.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Nostell-based team, including specialist critical care paramedic Tammy Williams, Doctor Rob Anderson, pilot Phil Larkin, and technical crew member Richie Campbell, were quickly dispatched 27 miles from the Wakefield airbase, prepared for the range of serious injuries often seen in high-speed off-road accidents.

With Eli’s family by his side, the YAA team carried out a full assessment and determined that his open fracture required urgent treatment to prevent further complications.

Explaining the seriousness of his injuries, Dr Rob said “An open fracture is not just a break to the bone; it’s also a break to the skin, which risks infection, nerve damage, and in some cases, significant blood loss. This can quickly become life-threatening if not treated urgently”.

To manage the intense pain before realigning his arm, the team administered morphine, a powerful analgesic. Once relaxed, Dr Rob carefully straightened the fracture by securing Eli’s arm in a vacuum splint, minimising further movement during the journey to the hospital.

After assessing the situation, the YAA crew coordinated with the land ambulance team to transfer Eli to Leeds General Infirmary, a major trauma centre, by road. There, a team of specialists was ready to perform surgery to repair his arm, securing it with wires and a plaster cast. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Reflecting on the incident, Eli said, “I’m really grateful to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance team for helping me that day. I took the turn too fast, and before I knew it, the buggy flipped over. I was in a lot of pain and scared, but the team kept me calm and made sure I was ok. I’m so thankful to everyone who helped me.”

Paramedic Tammy added, “Eli was very lucky in this case. Given the injuries he suffered, the weight of the buggy, and the speed he was travelling at without any protective gear, this could have been a very different story – I’m so pleased to hear that he is set to make a full recovery.”

Yorkshire Air 999 continues to offer a unique insight into the vital work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance, highlighting the critical role the service plays in saving lives across the region. The episode also follows the YAA team as they respond to other emergencies, including a woman who fell from her motorbike at 45mph in the rural dales, suffering a fractured knee; a man who fell 30 feet from a ladder while working on a house; and a man at risk of losing his arm after suffering severe nerve damage from an angle grinder accident at work.

Factory Worker’s Arm Saved Following Horrific Grinder Accident in Wakefield

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Factory worker, Adrian Sobanski, from Wakefield will feature in the upcoming episode of Yorkshire Air 999, airing on Really at 9PM on Friday, February 14th. The episode showcases the rapid response of Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s (YAA) critical care team after Adrian suffered a serious accident at work, which left him with life-threatening injuries.

What started as a routine morning at work took a devastating turn when Adrian lost his grip while using an angle grinder, slicing deep into his upper right arm. At first, he didn’t realise the severity of the injury—only that he could no longer feel his fingers. As shock set in, he switched off the power tool and noticed blood rapidly soaking his sleeve. Realising the severity of the injury, Adrian called out to his colleagues for help, and they immediately dialled 999. Following guidance from the call handler, his coworkers used towels as makeshift tourniquets, working to stem the bleeding until the emergency services arrived.

At YAA’s Nostell Air Base in Wakefield, Paramedic Stew Ashburner-McManus was monitoring incoming 999 calls on the charity’s Air Desk, ready to deploy the team at a moment’s notice. When the call came in, he immediately recognised the signs of catastrophic bleeding and dispatched YAA’s critical care team. With the factory just seven miles away, the helicopter’s speed of 140 mph meant they reached the scene in just three minutes.

Upon arrival, YAA’s medical team, consisting of Dr Paul Onion and specialist paramedic Sammy Wills, found Adrian conscious but in a critical condition. A local land ambulance crew, who were also tasked to the incident, had arrived just minutes earlier and had begun a primary assessment of his injuries.

Dr Paul Onion assessed Adrian’s nerve sensation and found he had no feeling in his fingers or lower arm. With heavy bleeding and clear signs of nerve damage, there was a serious risk that Adrian could lose the limb. To provide better care and privacy, the team decided to move him to the back of the land ambulance, where they could continue treatment in a safer environment. Before doing so, they applied a formal tourniquet to replace the makeshift one, allowing them greater control over the bleeding.

YAA’s paramedic Sammy Wills explained, “Industrial accidents are always serious, but Adrian’s level of bleeding was particularly concerning. As time passed, he became very clammy, which is often a sign that a patient’s heart is struggling to maintain blood supply to vital organs. To help, we laid Adrian flat, raised his legs, and held his arm elevated to encourage blood flow back to his heart”.

As the YAA team prepared Adrian for transport to hospital, Sammy packed the wound with a specialist Celox dressing designed to control bleeding and maintain stability during the journey. She explained, “This dressing is a fantastic bit of kit—it’s usually impregnated with ground seashells, which help the blood to clot and stop the bleeding more effectively”.

Adrian was transported to Leeds General Infirmary, where a specialist trauma team awaited his arrival. Upon reaching the hospital, Adrian underwent a four-hour surgery to repair the damage to his arm. Despite concerns about nerve damage to his blood vessels, the swift intervention of YAA’s critical care team gave Adrian the best chance to keep his arm.

Adrian’s recovery is expected to take 18-24 months, but he is already back at work and committed to regaining full use of his arm. Reflecting on the incident, Adrian said, “It was scary how quickly I was losing blood. My colleagues did an amazing job applying the tourniquets and stopping me from bleeding out before help arrived, I can’t thank them enough for what they did. And the YAA team arrived so quickly, and I’m convinced that if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be here today”.

Adrian’s recovery is expected to take 18-24 months, but he is already back at work and committed to regaining full use of his arm. Reflecting on the incident, Adrian said, “It was scary how quickly I was losing blood. My colleagues did an amazing job applying the tourniquets and stopping me from bleeding out before help arrived, I can’t thank them enough for what they did. And the YAA team arrived so quickly, and I’m convinced that if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be here today”.

Yorkshire Air 999 continues to offer a unique insight into the vital work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance, highlighting the critical role the service plays in saving lives across the region. The episode also follows the YAA team as they respond to other emergencies, including a woman who fell from her motorbike at 45mph in the rural dales; a man who fell 30 feet from a ladder while working on a house and 12-year-old boy who was involved in an off-road buggy accident.

Rugby Coach Survives Cardiac Arrest on the Pitch Thanks to YAA’s Rapid Response

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Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s hit TV series, Yorkshire Air 999, returns after a season break this Friday, 7th February, at 9 PM on Really, bringing viewers closer than ever to Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s lifesaving missions. In this week’s gripping episode, the team races against time to save a beloved rugby coach who collapsed after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest.

Lee Garside, 48, from Sharlston, near Wakefield, had just finished a routine training session at Sharlston Rovers Rugby League Club when he suddenly collapsed. His teammates immediately called for help, with one performing essential chest compressions, under the guidance of NHS emergency 999 call handlers, while another team member rushed to retrieve the club’s defibrillator, determined to give Lee the best possible chance of survival before emergency crews arrived.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance paramedic Andy Armitage and technical crew member Richie Campbell were dispatched to the scene. With the incident just 1.5 miles from Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Nostell Air Base, the team opted to respond by road, in one of the charities rapid response vehicles, which carries the same lifesaving equipment as the helicopter, ensuring they arrived as quickly as possible.

Commenting his decision to go by road, Andy explained, “In cases like this, the helicopter would have taken longer to get airborne and find a suitable landing site. With it being so close to base, going by road, meant we could be there faster to deliver the care Lee desperately needed”.

Arriving first on scene, with a double crewed land ambulance just 5 minutes behind, Andy and Richie worked alongside the rugby team, who had already delivered two defibrillator shocks to Lee’s heart. Despite brief signs of response, Lee’s heart remained unstable, and his condition was critical.

The team continued CPR, delivering three more lifesaving shocks while also providing advanced interventions, including IV adrenaline, in an effort to restart Lee’s heart. After more than 10 minutes of continuous resuscitation, Lee finally began showing signs of life, with a faint but detectable pulse.

With time still of the essence, and a re-arrest highly likely, Andy made the call to transfer Lee to Pinderfields Hospital by land ambulance, calling ahead to ensure a crash team was ready upon arrival while accompanying the road crew to monitor his condition. During the journey to hospital, Lee suffered a seizure, likely a result of oxygen deprivation during his cardiac arrest, further intensifying the urgency of his condition.

Lee spent three weeks in the hospital and was later fitted with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) to prevent further cardiac episodes. Just eight weeks later, his ICD activated again when he suffered another cardiac arrest at home. Lee recalled, “I was just sat watching TV when my vision blurred, and I felt myself slipping away. Then suddenly, the device delivered a huge shock to my heart and brought me back!”.

Now on the road to recovery, Lee continues to coach rugby and is determined to return to the pitch alongside his teammates. Lee continued, “All the lads that worked on me that day, giving me CPR and using the defibrillator, I could never thank them enough. Without them, and the help of Yorkshire Air Ambulances team, I wouldn’t be here today. It’s still nerve-wracking every time I step onto the field where it happened, but bit by bit it’s getting easier.”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance attends hundreds of cardiac emergencies like Lee’s every year. With a survival rate of less than 8% for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, early CPR and defibrillation are crucial. Andy said, “Lee is a similar age to me, and it really makes you think—this can happen to anyone. When we handed him over at the hospital, all we could do was hope he pulled through. Seeing him doing well now is incredible”.

The episode will also follow the YAA team as they respond to other emergencies such as a serious road traffic collision, leaving a patient with serious hip and wrist injuries, an equestrian who broke her back after falling from a racehorse, and a cyclist who fell from his adapted bike in the rural dales.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance Launches Campaign to Add Supporters’ Names to Its fleet of Helicopters

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To mark its 25th anniversary, Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) is inviting supporters to become part of its lifesaving mission with the launch of its latest fundraising campaign, A Year Over Yorkshire.

For the first time in its history, YAA is offering supporters the unique opportunity to have their names proudly displayed on the tail bumpers of its iconic yellow helicopters for an entire year.  This initiative allows participants to form a personal connection with the charity, symbolically joining its frontline crews as they respond to emergencies across the region.

Each of YAA’s three state-of-the-art H145 D3 helicopters – G-YORX, G-YAAA, and the charity’s newest addition, G-YAIR – can feature up to 800 names. Supporters can secure their place with a minimum donation of £100, with the option to contribute more to further aid the charity’s vital work.

The campaign’s tagline, ‘Your Name, Their Lifesaver’, reflects the vital role supporters play in sustaining Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s lifesaving work. As an independent charity that relies entirely on the generosity of the public to ensure that life-saving medical care is available to those in urgent need across Yorkshire.

In 2024 alone, the charity’s critical care team treated 1,297 patients, including 326 patients suffering from cardiac arrests, delivering over 417 lifesaving interventions, highlighting the vital role supporters play in keeping the service operational.

Commenting on the launch of the campaign, Garry Brasher, YAA’s longest-serving pilot, said, “This is an incredibly exciting campaign. Every mission we fly is made possible by the generosity of our supporters and I have seen firsthand how deeply our work resonates with the communities we serve. ‘A Year Over Yorkshire’ is a chance for our supporters to be more than donors—they’ll be part of every mission we fly for a year. It’s a fitting tribute to the people of Yorkshire and a fantastic way to celebrate 25 years of saving lives”.

Each supporter will receive a personalised digital certificate to confirm their place on the helicopter and will also be able to track the location of their name using an online name finder, enabling them to see their contribution to YAA’s lifesaving work.

Tessa Klemz, Regional Fundraising Manager for North & East Yorkshire, understands how meaningful this campaign will be to those who have been directly impacted by YAA’s work. She said, “Having your name on our helicopter is something that has been requested time and time again by our supporters, especially those who’ve been directly impacted by our work. We are incredibly proud to finally offer this opportunity to the people of Yorkshire. Whether it’s your name, a loved one’s, or a tribute in memory of someone special.  ‘A Year Over Yorkshire’ is our way of showing that every name, every donation, and every supporter is part of our lifesaving journey. We’re excited to take these names to the skies as we continue saving lives across the region.”

As part of the campaign’s initial launch, 20 names from the first panel to be filled will be selected at random. These lucky supporters will receive an exclusive invitation to visit YAA’s Nostell Air Support Unit, where they can see their name displayed on the helicopter in person and meet some of the crew who carry out lifesaving missions every day.

‘A Year Over Yorkshire’ is open for submissions now and supporters are encouraged to secure their place early to avoid disappointment.   All terms and conditions can be found on the YAA website.

This campaign not only celebrates YAA’s proud history but also highlights the generosity and community spirit that keeps the service operational. To find out more about A Year Over Yorkshire or to secure your place in YAA history, click here!

Yorkshire Air Ambulance Called to Harrogate Rider’s Close Call After Being Crushed by Horse

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The latest episode of Yorkshire Air 999, airing on Quest this Friday, November 29th at 9 PM, follows the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) team as they rush to Windmill Farm in Beckwithshaw, near Harrogate, to assist an experienced equestrian who suffered serious injuries after being crushed beneath a horse he was training when it reared and fell on top of him.

Joe Billingham, 34, was exercising a horse named, Lolli, in an outdoor riding arena when she unexpectedly reared. Attempting to calm her, Joe used a gentle vocal cue to guide her back into schooling. However, Lolly reared again, losing her balance and falling backwards, crushing Joe in the process. The impact left him in excruciating pain, unable to move or feel his legs, and struggling to breathe. Concerned witnesses quickly called 999, fearing the severity of his injuries.

Local paramedics, first to arrive at the scene, requested backup from the Yorkshire Air Ambulance to access the advanced pain relief options and expertise provided by the YAA team. Already airborne and returning to their RAF Topcliffe base after completing a nearby mission, the YAA crew swiftly diverted to the incident, landing safely in a field adjacent to the paddock, ensuring all horses were secured to prevent any further incidents.

Terri-Ann explained, “Horse-related incidents can cause a range of injuries, from broken bones to serious crush injuries. Helicopters can unsettle unpredictable animals like horses, so It’s vital we approach these situations carefully, making sure they’re safely put away before we land”.

Upon arrival, YAA paramedics Leanne and Terri-Ann joined the land paramedics. Initial assessments revealed that Joe couldn’t move from the waist down and was experiencing numbness and tingling in his legs, prompting serious concerns among the medical team. Leanne explained, “He couldn’t move his legs and was describing symptoms that immediately raised red flags for a spinal injury”.

The team administered a high dose of morphine to alleviate Joe’s severe pain and decided to move him from the cold ground to the privacy and warmth of the land ambulance for further assessment. Using a Kendrick Extrication Device (KED), they carefully immobilised Joe, ensuring his back remained straight and his neck stable during the transfer. Leanne explained, “The KED allowed us to safely move him without causing further damage or increasing his discomfort”.

Once inside the ambulance, Joe’s condition improved slightly, and he was able to move his toes, offering a hopeful sign amidst the worrying situation. Following on-scene care, the YAA crew worked with local paramedics to arrange his transfer by land ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary for further scans and treatment.

At the hospital, X-rays revealed that Joe had not suffered a spinal fracture, but he had broken eight ribs in the fall. He spent three days in the hospital recovering from his injuries and is continuing his rehabilitation at home.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Joe said, “As a horse rider, you never think these things will happen to you. I’ve ridden horses for three decades, but it all happened so quickly. I can’t thank the Yorkshire Air Ambulance team enough for the incredible care they gave me that day—they made a frightening experience so much more manageable”.

Speaking about equestrian-related incidents, Terri-Ann highlighted the risks involved. “There’s a lot of protective gear that horse riders wear, but if they aren’t wearing it, the injuries can be much worse when they fall. Thankfully, Joe was wearing his safety gear, which likely prevented even more serious injuries. We’re so pleased to learn he’s making a good recovery”.

The episode also follows the YAA team as they respond to a range of emergencies, including an elderly woman that had fallen from steep ladders in her garden, a cyclist that came off his bike on a country road breaking 14 bones including his neck and a 12-year-old boy that fell from a motorcross bike requiring emergency surgery for his leg.

Teen’s Leg Saved by Yorkshire Air Ambulance Medics After Serious Bike Accident in Grimethorpe

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Reegan Dickinson, a 12-year-old from Grimethorpe, will feature in the upcoming episode of Yorkshire Air 999, airing on Quest on Friday, November 29th, at 9 PM. The episode showcases the rapid response of Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s (YAA) critical care team after Reegan was involved in a serious cross-bike accident.

Reegan had been riding with friends on a wet and muddy field near his home when he lost control of his bike as the front wheel skidded into a small ditch. Thrown from the bike, he sustained a serious open fracture to his lower right leg. His father, who was nearby at the time, rushed to his side to comfort him while they waited for help to arrive.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Nostell-based critical care team, including paramedic Tom Chatwyn and technical crew member Alex Clark, were quickly dispatched to the scene. Explaining the seriousness of Reegan’s injury, Tom said “An open fracture is not just a break to the bone; it’s also a break to the skin, which risks infection, nerve damage, and significant blood loss. This can quickly become life-threatening if not treated urgently”.

Upon arrival, the team was relieved to find that Reegan had been wearing a helmet, minimising the risk of head injury. With his dad by his side for support, Reegan was assessed, and initial pain relief was administered via gas and air. However, the fracture required urgent treatment at the scene to reduce the risk of further complications.

To manage the intense pain of straightening his leg, the team administered ketamine, a powerful analgesic. Reegan’s dad played a crucial role in keeping him calm, sharing happy memories to distract him as the medication took effect. Once relaxed, Tom expertly straightened the leg, applied bandages to control the bleeding, before applying a vacuum splint to reduce further pain and movement.

Reegan was carefully loaded into the helicopter and flown to Leeds General Infirmary (LGI), a major trauma centre, where a team of specialists were ready to perform surgery and repair his leg with a metal implant.

Throughout the ordeal, Reegan showed remarkable spirit, even jokingly nicknaming the YAA crew “Mr Orange” and “Mr Blue” after their distinctive uniforms. Tom said, “Despite the seriousness of the situation, Reegan’s humour and bravery brought positivity to a challenging job.”

Reegan began his recovery journey, which included intensive physiotherapy. Looking back on the accident, Reegan said, “The ground was so wet, and my bike just flipped when the wheel got stuck in a ditch. I’ve spent weeks playing video games while recovering, but I can’t wait to get back to riding—on a new bike! I even got to visit the Nostell air base with my family and see Tom again. My leg was still in its cage, but it was great to catch up and talk about everything that happened that day!”

The episode also follows the YAA team as they respond to a range of emergencies, including an elderly woman that had fallen from steep ladders in her garden, a cyclist that came off his bike on a country road breaking 14 bones including his neck and a serious equestrian accident.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance Rushes to Schoolboy After Serious Cricket Injury in Settle

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The latest episode of Yorkshire Air 999, airing on Quest this Friday, November 22nd at 9 PM, follows the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) team as they respond to a 14-year-old schoolboy, in July, whose PE lesson took a painful turn after a freak accident during a cricket match in Settle, North Yorkshire. 

Archie Goddard, a Year 9 student from Skipton, was fielding during a PE lesson when he lunged to catch a fast-moving ball. Instead, the ball struck his knee, causing a severe lateral dislocation that left him in excruciating pain and unable to move. Concerned about possible vascular compromise – a serious condition where blood flow is restricted to the injured area – YAA’s critical care team, located at RAF Topcliffe in Thirsk were dispatched to the incident.

YAA’s helicopter landed directly on the school field just 14 minutes later, where the team found Archie lying on the ground covered in coats for warmth, with his worried mum by his side. Paramedic Sam Berridge assessed Archie’s injuries, noting the severity of the dislocation. He said, “His knee was severely dislocated, almost appearing like it was pushing against the skin and causing Archie a lot of pain, it was critical we acted quickly to minimise any lasting damage”.

Sam administered gas and air to help ease Archie’s discomfort before skilfully guiding the dislocated kneecap back into place. Sam explained, “Relocating a kneecap requires a balance of realigning the joint while supporting the kneecap to avoid causing further damage. It’s not difficult, but it can be extremely painful, so it was important to keep him calm and comfortable.”

Despite the procedure being painful, the relief was almost instant. Archie, who had been in visible distress, was soon smiling and chatting, and wanting to stand up, showing a remarkable turnaround.

Despite Archie’s improvement, Sam took precautions to prevent any movement that could cause further damage to his kneecap, nerves, or tendons, which could become trapped following the relocation procedure. To ensure stability, Archie’s leg was immobilised in a vacuum splint before arrangements were made for a local land ambulance, to transport him to Airedale General Hospital for further scans.

X-rays at the hospital confirmed that the procedure at the scene was a success and that there was no additional damage, with doctors advising Archie to rest for a few weeks. Now fully recovered, Archie is back to his normal activities, including playing cricket and going to the gym.

Reflecting on the job, Sam said, “It’s rare in our line of work to see such an immediate turnaround in a patient’s condition. The second the knee popped back into place, Archie was like a different person—pain-free and ready to get back to his life”.

Grateful for YAA’s assistance, Archie said, “I’m so thankful for the team arriving when they did. I’d been lying there for ages, and Sam helped me right away. It all happened so fast – I just remember looking down and my knee was completely out of place. Once the gas and air it kicked in everything just went white and once my knee popped back into place, the pain was completely gone! I just wanted to get back up on my feet. The recovery passed by so quickly, now I don’t even remember which knee it was!”.

The episode also follows the YAA team as they respond to a range of emergencies, including a serious motorbike accident, a 2-year-old who had fallen 12 feet from a window, and an elderly diabetic gentleman who became lost on a walk near the Yorkshire Coast, sparking a major rescue mission.