Alton Towers Smiler crash: Hero medics win Pride of Britain award

Army doctor Major David Cooper, aircrew paramedic Tom Waters and Dr Ben Clark climbed the rollercoaster despite health and safety rules to help those trapped, including 18-year-old Leah Washington, who had to have her left leg amputated.

Mr Waters, 27, who was on duty with Major Cooper for Midlands Air Ambulance, said that the need outweighed the risk, adding "there were people that needed our care up there."

Major Cooper, 34, said: "We just did what we needed to do.

"We were standing on the headrests of the seats and on the safety harnesses of the carriage in front.

"We even had to take our helmets off to squeeze through the seats and get dressings on and tourniquets."

The trio spent four hours tending to the seriously injured at over 10 meters (35 feet), and performed a partial amputation and blood fusion on Miss Washington.

Dr Clark, 40, said: "There were a lot of times when I was just shaking my head because I didn't know if it was going to work and if they were going to stay alive.

"When you see people dying in front of your eyes and you know you can't do anything any quicker – it was very difficult."

Pride of Britain will be broadcast on ITV at 8pm on Oct 1.