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Yorkshire Air Ambulance moves forward with new Northern Airbase

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Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) have today confirmed that planning permission has been granted for their new Northern Airbase, which is to be located on the outskirts of Skipton on Swale, near Thirsk. This marks a hugely significant milestone for the Charity who have long yearned for a permanent home in the northern part of Yorkshire to enable them to deliver life-saving critical care across the whole of Yorkshire in a timely manner.

Following years of searching for a suitable site, YAA has agreed to purchase some land on the outskirts of Skipton on Swale, just 3.5 miles from its current operations at RAF Topcliffe and North Yorkshire Council have now granted planning permission for the development to commence. This milestone has only been possible through close cooperation with North Yorkshire Council, external agencies and interested parties to ensure that the Charity’s plans are sympathetic, sustainable and environmentally friendly. The new base will be purpose-built to reflect the exceptional facilities already established at the YAA’s Nostell Air Support Unit near Wakefield, and will create a dedicated, long-term base for the northern region, providing stability for YAA’s lifesaving operations and ensuring it is equipped to respond to emergencies efficiently and quickly – with the latter particularly important to the more isolated rural communities especially in the North and East of the County

Mike Harrop, Chairman of Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “We are delighted with this news and look forward to starting the build process in due course. This has already been a long journey for YAA and, after searching for a number of years, to now secure the right site for our new Northen Airbase is very exciting.”

For over a decade, YAA has been a tenant at RAF Topcliffe, benefiting from the invaluable support of the Royal Air Force, the British Army’s 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, and crucially, the local community. While this relationship has been pivotal in enabling YAA to deliver its critical service, the Charity’s vision for a purpose-built base reflects its commitment to advancing its capabilities and ensuring its crews can operate at the highest level in the years ahead.

Mike continues, “The new site at Skipton on Swale is only 3.5 miles away from our current base at RAF Topcliffe, however, with the future of the military site uncertain, the need to ensure our future in this part of the region was paramount. We are delighted that the outskirts of Skipton on Swale will be our permanent home for years to come and allow us to maintain continuity and stability for our critical care service.”

Built with sustainability in mind, the new base offers energy-efficient infrastructure and flexible space to support the evolving needs of the Charity’s HEMS operations and will include: a clinical planning room, advanced training and simulation suite, crew accommodation, wellbeing zones and ample meeting spaces.

“This new airbase represents a significant investment for Yorkshire Air Ambulance and one that is entirely aimed at improving the service we deliver to the communities we serve. It will strengthen our service, enhance patient care and provide a modern facility designed specifically for the needs of our aviation and medical crew. It has only been possible through the continued generosity of our supporters and funders, whose backing is pivotal to us sustaining and improving our life-saving work.”, added Mike.

The cost of the development is expected to be covered by pre-planned savings and investments, grant funding, philanthropic support and private donations.

The project has been designed by Leeds-based architects Group Ginger, and the Charity are now in the process of appointing a lead contractor and will then commence the development. A completion date is yet to be confirmed.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Fire Crews Rescue Thirsk Woman Pinned Under Construction Boards in Garden Accident

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The latest episode of Yorkshire Air 999, airing on Really and discovery+ this Friday 20th June at 9PM, follows the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) team as they respond to a woman trapped beneath a large stack of heavy wooden boards while working on a DIY project in her back garden.

42-year-old Kim Shoyer from Thirsk was working alone on a DIY garden project affectionately known as her “hobby house”. While attempting to drill into wooden battens at the highest point of the structure, she lost her balance and fell approximately 1.5 metres onto the floor below. In the process, she dislodged a wooden pallet that had been supporting several large OSB construction boards. The boards, weighing around a third of a tonne, collapsed onto her, pinning her to the ground in a confined space, leaving her unable to move.

Despite being in pain and unable to free herself, Kim managed to call 999. She was in significant distress and reported head, facial, and leg pain, and was uncertain about possible bleeding.

Due to the risk of crush injuries and the limited access to the scene, Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Topcliffe-based Critical Care Team, comprised of Paramedics Darren James and Leanne Davis, were immediately dispatched. They arrived on scene within five minutes, landing in a nearby field and quickly making their way to Kim’s property.

Paramedic Darren, said, “Given the weight involved and the way she was trapped, we had to proceed with extreme caution. Situations like this can involve serious complications, so every step of the rescue had to be carefully managed. We worked closely with the fire service, who played a vital role in helping us lift the boards safely without causing further harm, it was a real team effort.”

It took four firefighters to safely remove the panels before the team could conduct a thorough assessment of Kim’s injuries. After evaluating her for internal trauma, potential fractures, and closely monitoring her vital signs including blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation, it was determined that she had escaped with bruising but no broken bones or serious injuries.

Although Kim initially declined hospital treatment, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance team stayed on scene until they were confident she was stable before handing her care over to local land ambulance paramedics. The land team continued with further assessments and the necessary documentation, allowing YAA’s critical care team to become available for other emergencies across the region.

A few days later, Kim developed painful trauma blisters and sought further treatment. She was referred to the trauma outpatients team at James Cook Hospital, where she continues to attend fortnightly appointments. Doctors are monitoring a large hematoma on the back of her leg, caused by the crush injury, due to the potential risk of complications such as blood clots. Despite the ongoing pain and regular treatment, Kim remains positive and determined.

Speaking about the incident, Kim said, “That morning, my husband warned me not to go near the wall because I can be unsteady on my feet, but I was determined to finish the project. I remember falling hard and feeling scared. I know I was very lucky, my injuries could have been a lot worse. I’m so grateful the Yorkshire Air Ambulance team arrived so quickly and were able to check me over right away. It gave me great peace of mind knowing I was in such safe hands.”

Despite the ordeal, Kim is continuing with her passion for DIY and has since finished the garden workshop. “No accident was going to stop me – I don’t give up. That’s just not me!”

Reflecting on the mission, Darren added, “Working on the air ambulance, we respond to a huge variety of incidents – and this was definitely one of the more unusual. Kim was very lucky. She was trapped but not injured in the way we often expect in these situations. It could have been a lot worse.”

Alongside Kim’s story, this episode also features a 26-year-old cyclist who suffered blood clots in his brain after falling during a ride with his local cycling club, a patient experiencing a severe asthma attack, and a motorcyclist who was seriously injured after crashing and landing in a ditch.

Mountain biker airlifted from Dalby Forest after serious head injury

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Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) is set to return to TV screens this spring as Yorkshire Air 999 launches its much-anticipated second season on Friday 30th May on the Really channel and Discovery+.

49-year-old Ben Collins from Nottinghamshire was on holiday in the North York Moors with his wife Helen when he set off for a solo ride in Dalby Forest, one of the UK’s most popular biking destinations, with more than 40 miles of challenging climbs and descents.

Ben was partway through his ride on the forest’s red route when fellow cyclists spotted him lying injured on the track. He appeared to have gone over his handlebars and hit his head, suffering facial injuries and struggling to open one of his eyes. He was confused, dizzy and bleeding, with limited awareness of what had happened. Realising the severity of the situation, the concerned riders immediately called 999.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Topcliffe crew reached the scene within seven minutes. The dense woodland made it difficult to spot Ben from the air, but members of the group who found him helped flag the aircraft down. While on route to the scene, Paramedics Sam Berridge and Andy Watson reviewed the limited information available and began considering possible treatment plans ahead of arrival.

Sam explained, “The details we had were quite limited at the time, but when you hear someone has a head injury with noisy breathing, you start to worry that this could be a devastating head injury. Dalby Forest is a huge area, with thick trees. Even though we fly there quite regularly, there are some parts of those bike trails we’ve never been to before, so finding the exact location can be a challenge, even for us.”

After landing in a nearby field, it was a short walk to reach Ben, who was conscious but extremely confused. He reported no pain but had little memory of what had happened.

Andy conducted a primary assessment for any internal injuries and monitored Ben’s vital signs, but no treatment was required at the scene. Sam added, “He had a really nasty head injury. The swelling to his face and eye told us he’d taken a big hit. We needed to get him to hospital quickly before his condition potentially deteriorated.”

As the team prepared Ben for transfer, they found his phone at the scene and attempted to contact his wife, Helen, but were unable to reach her. Concerned she may also have been injured elsewhere on the trail, the crew began piecing together the puzzle while keeping Ben stable.

The group of riders who had found Ben reported the incident to staff at the Dalby Forest Cycle Hub, who then coordinated a search of the trails to locate Helen and inform her of what had happened.

With no immediate medical interventions needed, the team carefully escorted Ben, who was able to walk, to the helicopter and flew him to Scarborough Hospital for further assessment and urgent scans.

Fortunately, Helen was later located safe and well. She had been out running in another part of the forest and had lost signal. She said, “It was a beautiful day, and I was out running in a different part of the forest when I noticed the air ambulance flying overhead. You never think it’s going to be for someone you love. I remember joking to a forestry worker that I should check in with Ben, just in case, and when I told her my name, she said, ‘Oh no, it is for your husband. He’s in the helicopter.’ I was so relieved to hear his injuries weren’t life-threatening.”

Ben was treated for a serious concussion, a trapped nerve down his left side and back pain. After weeks of rest and rehabilitation, he’s now recovering well and has been given the green light to start training again.

Reflecting on the incident, he said, “I can’t remember the crash, or much about that day at all, but I’ll always be grateful to the people who found me and to Yorkshire Air Ambulance for getting me to hospital so quickly. I’ve always loved biking – it’s what stops me from being a grumpy old man! I’m lucky to be getting back out on the saddle and easing into some gentle rides again. Hopefully I’ll be back trail racing before the end of the year.”

Alongside Ben’s story, this episode features a motocross accident, a serious road traffic collision on a motorway near Bradford, and a man who fell ten feet while climbing one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks.

Experienced Motocross Rider Airlifted After 30-Foot Jump Crash at Doncaster Track

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Richard Mosley, a 34-year-old motocross rider from Doncaster, is set to appear in the next episode of Yorkshire Air 999, airing on Really at 9 PM on Friday, June 13th.  The episode follows the swift response of Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s (YAA) critical care team after Richard was seriously injured in a high-speed crash at a local dirt track.

Richard, who has more than 17 years of motocross experience, was enjoying a day of riding at Uncle Eddie’s Motocross Park when he misjudged one of the larger jumps and fell an estimated 30 feet onto his back. On the way down, his chest struck the handlebars of his specially designed off-road racing bike, leaving him in severe pain and struggling to move or breathe.

He was quickly moved by staff from the track to the park’s café, where he lay on a sofa awaiting the emergency services.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s (YAA) Nostell-based Critical Care Team, made up of Dr Steve Rowe and paramedic Tom Chatwyn, were dispatched immediately in one of the Charity’s Rapid Response Vehicles (RRVs).

Reflecting on the incident, paramedic Tom explained, “When we attend motorbike incidents, we prepare for a range of injuries, from minor grazes to life-threatening trauma. When we arrived, Richard was conscious and talking, which was reassuring, but he was clearly in a lot of pain and very anxious about how serious his injuries might be. With falls from height like this, there’s always the potential for spinal injuries, internal bleeding or broken bones.”

After carrying out a primary assessment of Richard’s injuries, the team administered ketamine, the strongest pain relief drug carried by YAA and commonly used in emergency medicine, to ease his discomfort and allow them to move him safely.

A local land ambulance crew arrived shortly after and assisted with carefully transferring Richard from the sofa onto a stretcher. He was also placed into a thermal sleeping bag, commonly used by critical care teams to help maintain body temperature and prevent shock in trauma patients.

Incredibly, despite the force of the impact, Richard had not broken any bones. He suffered a torn knee ligament, wrist swelling, and an abrasion to his collarbone, but was discharged the same evening.

Looking back, Richard said, “Everywhere hurt from my chest to my neck, back and legs, I just couldn’t move. That’s when it sunk in how bad it was. I honestly thought I’d paralysed myself. I was lucky. I thank my lucky stars – I think my nan was looking out for me.”

Now fully recovered, Richard is back on his bike and has returned to the same track where the crash happened, even completing the jump that caused the accident. He said, “I’ve been riding for 17 years, I feel like I have never not been on a bike — it’s a huge part of who I am. Coming back to the track afterwards was a huge mental step but I’ve since returned and completed the same jump. It felt like I’d truly put it behind me.”

Richard now plays the Yorkshire Air Ambulance lottery as a way of giving back. “I couldn’t believe they were a charity and how much they need to raise just to stay in the air,” he added. “I’m so grateful for everything they did – playing the lottery feels like the least I can do.”

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 Richard’s story, this episode features a mountain biker who came off his bike in Dalby Forest, a serious road traffic collision on a motorway near Bradford, and a man who fell ten feet while climbing one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks.

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.

Yorkshire Air 999 Returns for a Gripping Second Series Documenting Real-Life Emergencies Across the Region

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Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) is set to return to TV screens this spring as Yorkshire Air 999 launches its much-anticipated second season on Friday 30th May on the Really channel and Discovery+.

Following the success of season one, which aired 10 episodes between November 2024 and March 2025 on Warner Bros. Discovery’s Really channel, the new series continues to follow YAA’s skilled paramedics, doctors, technical crew members and pilots as they respond to life-threatening incidents across the region. The new season will air in two parts, with the first eight episodes running weekly from 30th May at 9PM, and the remaining eight returning later this year.

Filmed over several months by Yorkshire-based production company Air TV, Yorkshire Air 999 gives unprecedented access to one of the UK’s busiest air ambulance charities. Using a combination of body-worn cameras, fixed helicopter minicams, and a multi-camera set-up in YAA’s operations room at their Nostell air support unit in Wakefield, the series captures the pressure, complexity and emotion of each mission, from the moment a 999 call comes in, to patient handover at hospital.

Narrated by acclaimed actor David Morrissey, Season 2 features eight brand new episodes, covering a wide range of emergencies, including the night-time rescue of a teenage motorcyclist who suffers critical injuries in a high-speed collision near Leeming, the dramatic response to a farmer crushed by a half-tonne hay bale in a remote rural area, and the urgent treatment of a horse rider near Wakefield who sustains two broken legs after being thrown from her horse.

Each episode also includes follow-up interviews with the patients, sharing their recovery journeys and the long-lasting impact of YAA’s work.

Matt Richards, Executive Producer and Managing Director at Air TV, said, “We’re really proud to be continuing our long-term relationship with Yorkshire Air Ambulance with this new series of Yorkshire Air 999. The skill and compassion shown by YAA’s crews is always inspiring and it’s great to be able to capture their work and share that with viewers. This new series features a huge range of incidents and real human emotion, all captured amongst the stunning scenery of Yorkshire.”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance paramedic, Stewart Ashburner-Mcmanus, added, “Being part of the series is a great opportunity to show the public what goes into each mission. Every call-out is different, and we hope the new season helps people understand just how important this service is to those who need us.”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance is proudly marking 25 years of saving lives across the region in 2025. Covering 3 million acres and serving a population of around 5 million, the charity provided rapid-response emergency care to over 1,300 patients in 2024 alone – with every mission made possible by public donations.

Gordons Transport Backs Yorkshire Air Ambulance as Charity of the Year for 2025

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Goole-based Gordons Transport Ltd has named Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) as its Charity of the Year for 2025, pledging to raise vital funds and awareness to help keep the Charity’s lifesaving helicopters flying across Yorkshire.

Inspired by a black-tie fundraising event attended by Finance Director, Fiona Atkinson, the team at Gordons Transport were moved to discover that Yorkshire Air Ambulance relies entirely on public donations to continue saving lives.

The partnership marks the company’s first formal charitable commitment in its 40-year history of delivering expert road transport logistics across Yorkshire and beyond. Throughout 2025, Gordons Transport will be raising vital funds and promoting the Charity’s lifesaving work.

Noel Harrison, Operations Manager at Gordons Transport, said, “We are extremely proud to be supporting such a vital local service. The response from our staff, customers, suppliers, and friends has been amazing, and many have volunteered their time to support our fundraising events. We are excited to see how much we can raise to help keep the helicopters flying and saving lives across Yorkshire”.

As part of their support, Gordons Transport has unveiled a specially wrapped fleet vehicle featuring Yorkshire Air Ambulance branding. Designed by WRPD Group Ltd in Leeds and inspired by driver Tony Broad’s passion for the industry, the vehicle will be seen across the UK as part of the company’s daily operations, travelling an estimated 120,000 kilometres in 2025.

The special truck will also be showcased at a series of events, including Lincoln Truck Fest on 4–5 May and Wolsingham Truck Fest on 31 May–1 June, with further appearances planned later in the year.

To launch their partnership, members of the Gordons Transport team brought the specially wrapped vehicle to Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Nostell airbase in Wakefield. There, they met with YAA crew members and gained a behind-the-scenes insight into the Charity’s daily operations, learning more about its lifesaving missions.

Alongside promoting YAA on the road, Gordons Transport is organising a series of internal fundraising activities, including bake sales, a charity football match, a cycling event, a textiles drive, a golf day, and an ongoing office sweet sale. Plans are also underway to produce a limited-edition die-cast model of the YAA-wrapped vehicle, with proceeds supporting the Charity.

Tessa Klemz, Regional Fundraising Manager for North & East Yorkshire, said, “We are incredibly grateful to the team at Gordons Transport for selecting Yorkshire Air Ambulance as their Business Charity of the Year. As an independent charity, we rely heavily on the generosity of businesses and individuals to help us continue saving lives across Yorkshire. Their support comes at a particularly special time as we celebrate our 25th anniversary, and we are excited to see the impact this partnership will have throughout 2025”.

For more information about Yorkshire Air Ambulance and how your business can get involved, please visit: www.yaa.org.uk.

Wetherby Whaler Serves Up £50,000 For Yorkshire Air Ambulance

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Family-owned fish and chip chain Wetherby Whaler has raised an incredible £50,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA), supporting the charity’s lifesaving work across the region.

Wetherby Whaler has been a dedicated supporter of the charity for nearly 15 years, beginning with a single collection tin at their Wetherby branch. The partnership has since grown, with collection tins now placed across all five branches in Wetherby, Pudsey, York, Wakefield Calder Island, Wakefield Empire and Guiseley. Thanks to the generosity of customers and the dedication of staff, the business has consistently raised funds to support YAA’s lifesaving service.

To mark the achievement, Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s fundraising team visited Wetherby Whaler’s Guiseley branch for a cheque presentation, where the latest donation of £5,500 pushed their total fundraising efforts past the £50,000 mark.

Assistant Manager Tracy and her mother, Joyce, have played a key role in the franchise’s fundraising, helping to organise additional activities and events over the years and raising further funds in-store through the sale of sweets, handmade knitted items, and official YAA merchandise. In recognition of their dedication, the YAA team presented them with flowers during the presentation.

Owner Phillip Murphy, who began the fundraising efforts with his late wife Janine, reflected on the achievement. He said, “We chose to support Yorkshire Air Ambulance because we believed in backing a good local charity. We never set out to raise such a huge amount, but it’s amazing to think that our customers’ small change has made such a big difference. YAA is a service that any one of us, including our staff, might need at any time. We’re incredibly proud to support YAA, and we’ll keep going for as long as we can.”

With around 250 staff across its branches, Wetherby Whaler remains a valued supporter of Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Their efforts help ensure the charity’s critical care teams can continue reaching those in urgent need across the region.

Kerry Dwyer, Director of Public Fundraising at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, expressed gratitude for the Whaler’s continued support, saying: “We are incredibly grateful to Wetherby Whaler and their customers for raising such a phenomenal amount. It’s this kind of longstanding community support that keeps our helicopters flying. As we celebrate YAA’s 25th anniversary in 2025, it’s amazing to reflect on the impact that businesses like Wetherby Whaler have made. In 2024 alone, our crews treated over 1,300 patients and delivered more than 400 lifesaving interventions—none of which would be possible without donations from the public.”

To learn more about Yorkshire Air Ambulance and how you can support their lifesaving work, please click here.

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.