.jpg)
This week, what with the Bank Holiday weekend and such like, has been fully blown, so to speak. Customers, traffic, car park rage and sunshine, pretty normal for holiday weekends in the height of summer on the Yorkshire coast. What made this weekend a bit more thought provoking, was the BBC's showing of the first in the series of Helicopter Heroes, a documentary following the live emergency rescues in the Yorkshire region.
In many parts of rural England, the rescue helicopter services offer a serious option for emergency treatment following trauma, whether road, agriculture or equine accident for example. We all watch these programs with interest l am sure, knowing the service is there but never once dreaming that we will be a part of a rescue. So it was that we all sat down in front of the box at 9 am on Bank Holiday Monday to watch the program.
The first episode followed a two year old, hit in a freak accident by a gate resulting in 3 fractures to her skull and a broken arm. This little girl is my niece.
The accident happened last autumn on the family farm when a young horse, after being spooked, skidded into a galvanized gate which was thrown across the yard, hitting AT. I should mention that country children are brought up from an early age to be aware that animals and machinery are dangerous, little AT was stood well away from any source of danger, or so Hazza's cousin thought.........
Alone, LT rang for help, the progress of that help was shown dramatically in the program. The rescue mission was touch and go, there was a genuine fault with the gear box which worse case scenario would have resulted in the chopper being grounded.
AT, was air lifted to Midlesborough safely and you will be pleased to note that she has made a full recovery, going on to win the fancy dress competition at this year's Malton Show!
As a result of the accident the familyhas been raising money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance charity fund, donating Christmas and birthday present money and even ice cream at Driffield Show.
On a slightly more frivolous note, AT spent last Monday in London after appearing on BBC's breakfast news alongside the swimming phenomenon that is Michael Phelps. AT thought that London Zoo was marvelous and so did Little Teddy!
Perhaps l just ought to mention that the program was filmed in 'real time' and was not a reconstruction.
11 comments:
I'm sorry I couldn't tune into the programme but agree that air ambulances are a godsend especially in rural area's.
I watched this clip for the second time,again with tears in my eyes. Those really are Amelia's heroes - that's clear to see. I can't imagine what little Amelia's family has gone through, but it surpasses by miles all the minor aches, pains and complaints that one hears of on a daily basis. Thank goodness for emergency personnel that do the work of these heroes, and for the funding that makes it all possible.
That little girl is made of strong stuff!
So glad to read that the outcome was good for AT - what a relief for all of you. It's a long way from here to most hospitals too.
I missed the programme, but how scary! Off to try to track it down on-line (nosy?)
What amazes me is that these life saving machines are funded by donation only. They are such a valuable commodity not just to those of us in the rural areas but to those who travel the busy road systems, very often the air ambulance can land on a road to take crash victims out quickly.
If there is one organisation that needs supporting its this one.
Thank goodness little Amelia has made a wonderful recovery after such a freak accident.
Yes of course I watched it- remember it hapening and so relieved when Amelia recovered. Even knowing the outcome I cried on Sunday! The base is near us and seeing how many times the 'copters fly over, it just brings home how very necessary they are.......we shoul be lobbying for govt funding!
We've been watching the series but I didn't catch it on Monday. I'll have a try on iplayer. YAA is a fantastic thing, several of the farming organisations we are connected with raise funds for it. I've been out to the airport to deliver a big cheque to them and had my photo taken next to one of the old helicopters
watch out for the repeats in the autumn, l think they are to be broadcast during peak viewing periods.
The Air Ambulance is a fantastic service and something for which we will always put our hands in our pockets.
Glad AT recovered well - I'm off to see if I can 'watch again'.
This is really strange as I saw that episode on television and I hardly ever watch television during the day as I work full-time. That particular morning I was on holiday, had watched the early morning news and hadn't switched off. I was really caught up in the drama of your little niece's story and am really so glad to hear she's made a complete recovery. Air ambulances are such a godsend in rural areas. One of my little nieces was whisked off to hospital after falling into a neighbour's pond. It was a 10 minute journey - would have taken 45 minutes by land ambulance. She was 18 months old at the time and is now a strapping and beautiful 13-year-old.
My Nan asked for any 90th birthday money to go to our county air ambulance. When she died she also asked for donations to go there rather than flowers. I am going to meet one of their representatives next week to present a cheque for nearly £400.
I am so glad at the outcome for Amelia...my nan would have been too.
xx
Post a Comment