The award-winning 24 Hours in A&E returns with a compilation of some of the most memorable staff and patient stories filmed at St George’s in south west London – a place where life, love and loss unfold every day.

This episode features three patients who have miraculously survived when the odds were stacked against them.

19-year-old motorcyclist Sam is airlifted to St George’s after crashing into a bus and being thrown under a car, leaving him bent double. Sam arrives in resus with multiple injuries; he’s in an induced coma and classified ‘code red’. “Code red is basically somebody critically injured,” says consultant Will. “The assumption we make is that person is bleeding to death. Time is absolutely vital.”

Sam’s step dad Carl first heard about the accident on local radio. “My first reactions were ‘I hope that the traffic hasn’t tailed back’ because I was heading that way,” he says. “All of a sudden my wife came on the phone saying ‘You’ve got to come home, Sam’s been in an accident’. And then the penny dropped.”

CT scans reveal Sam has bruising to his lungs, a ruptured kidney, a broken thigh bone and a fractured spine. The priority is to stop his internal bleeding.

Sam’s parents are rushed to the hospital by police. “One of the police officers confirmed over the radio that they had the next of kin on board and that he was switching off his radio,” says Tracy. “What don’t they want us to hear? I was thinking ‘Don’t you die before I get there’. I didn’t want him to die alone.”

When they arrive at St George’s, consultant Will updates them on Sam’s condition. “It’s a natural, human need to want to offer hope,” says Will. “But I don’t think you should ever try and hide anything to soften the blow, I don’t think that’s fair.”

Sam is transferred to intensive care where he’s kept in an induced coma while his spinal injury is monitored by neurosurgeons. If he survives, his injuries could be life-changing.

48-year-old ex-paratrooper Martin has sustained multiple life changing injuries to his neck, pelvis and legs after his paraglider was blown into the hillside during flight. He is rushed in to A&E by emergency helicopter.

“A paraglider smashing into a cliff could cause so much damage to the body. You’re automatically thinking ‘Ok, I’m going to have to raise my game here.’” says Registrar Sophie.

Martin’s CT scan shows he’s sustained breaks to his spine. “Injuries to the spine and the neck can cause some of the most devastating injuries because ultimately patients can be paralysed.” says Registrar Sophie.

Martin’s loving wife Wendy rushes to Martin’s side to hear that Martin may have sustained life changing injuries from orthopaedic consultant Amir.

Ten-month-old Erin is accompanied by doting Dad Andy with a build up of wax in her ears following a cold and fever. As the medical team work to establish the cause, Andy explains how Erin herself is a miracle baby.