Episode 19

In Wolverhampton, a machine operator has had a workplace accident, and his hand is crushed in an industrial press. The machine can't be released and, after 90 minutes, the man is still stuck. If he can't be freed, he could quickly develop life-threatening complications. While engineers and the fire service make last-ditch efforts to release the press, the critical care team prepare to amputate the man's limb in order to save him. One of the newest members of the critical care team, paramedic Ben Rean, is on shift with one of the most experienced — critical care practitioner Faye Pollock. They're called to a cemetery in Oldbury, where a man is reported to have collapsed while visiting a grave. They find 76-year-old Trevor in cardiac arrest and must perform life-saving treatment. With a combination of CPR and electric shocks with a defibrillator, they manage to restart Trevor's heart just as the ambulance arrives at hospital. In Birmingham, a terrified caller alerts 999 to a man being violently attacked in the street outside their house. Police firearms officers are dispatched to the scene as well as critical care paramedic Jack Lewis and Dr Andy Owen. The man is found to be suffering from horrific wounds, which are believed to have been inflicted with a machete: one arm is nearly detached and bleeding heavily. The man needs urgent surgery. Andy and Jack must get him to hospital safely before it's too late. The critical care team are called to a house fire in Aston. One man is reported to have escaped the fire, but has since disappeared — and fire crews fear more people could still be trapped inside. A search soon reveals the man seen leaving the premises is former nurse David. It transpires that he doesn't live in the property, but bravely entered to try to put the fire out. Dr Hadassah Ihlenfeldt assesses David to see whether he has any serious injuries.