An air ambulance rescue of a Masham cricketer who snapped his ankle while playing is set to feature on a television series tonight.

Brendan Jackson, 15, was playing for Masham Cricket Club’s second team in April this year when he was injured.

During a match at Walton Park Cricket Club near Wetherby, Brendan caught his studs in the crease while bowling his third over. He dislocated his ankle and fractured both bones in his lower leg.

A helicopter from Yorkshire Air Ambulance was dispatched from Topcliffe Air Base in Thirsk to complete the 20-mile journey to the club.

Upon arrival, paramedics administered gas and air to alleviate Brendan’s pain.

Brendan described the crew who arrived on scene as “superheroes”. He said:

“I remember my first reaction vividly; it was a mix of shock and fear. I just looked down, and all I could think was, ‘Oh my word, what has happened, and will I ever be able to play cricket again?’ It was a terrifying moment for me.

“When the Yorkshire Air Ambulance team showed up, it was a massive relief. They were like superheroes, and I’m so grateful for how they were able to take away some of my pain. I can’t thank them enough for being there.”

A still from Helicopter ER, which features Brendan’s rescue.

Brendan was also given Ketamine medication to help relieve the pain, but also give a dissociative effect and help him cope with the traumatic experience.

After his leg was put in a splint, he was transferred to Harrogate District Hospital for surgery.

Diane Sharp, Brendan’s mother, said she remembered the incident as a “traumatic day”. She said:

“I didn’t see his leg initially; I just thought he had tripped. But once I heard him shouting in agony, I knew I had to rush over and keep him as calm as possible until more help arrived.”

The rescue by Yorkshire Air Ambulance is set to feature on an episode of television series Helicopter ER tonight.

The new series will be broadcast on Quest at 9pm.

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Masham Cricket Club has said it is “extremely disappointed” by Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s response to allegations that it is institutionally racist.

The allegations were made in August 2020 by Azeem Rafiq, who was an off-spin bowler for Yorkshire and became the club’s youngest ever Twenty20 format captain in 2012.

Yorkshire, which has many members and supporters in the Harrogate district, has faced fierce criticism after it insisted no disciplinary action would be taken against former players, employees or executives following an investigation.

Mark Ellis, chairman of Masham Cricket Club, said the response from Yorkshire “felt like double standards”.

He said grassroot clubs encouraged inclusivity and fostered communities, but felt like the county’s actions “sent mixed messages”.

Mr Ellis said:

“What I see here is that Yorkshire County Cricket are the most senior club in the county and there just seems to be double standards.

“What message does that send to grassroots cricket?

“I accept there has been some kind of apology, but it feels as though they are being forced to do that.”

In a tweet this morning, Masham Cricket Club said the response from the club to the allegations had left it “angry”.

It said:

“As a Yorkshire grassroots cricket club, [we are] extremely disappointed and angry that our county club is not taking the right actions over this matter and therefore the only conclusion that can be drawn is that they are institutional racist.”

As a Yorkshire grassroots Cricket Club, extremely disappointed and angry that our county club is not taking the right actions over this matter and therefore the only conclusion that can be drawn is that they are institutional racist. https://t.co/hrLUhpsH9a

— Masham Cricket Club (@MashamCricket) November 2, 2021

On September 10, Yorkshire released a summary statement of the panel’s investigation into the allegations and apologised to Rafiq.

But the club faced criticism, including by Jo Stevens, Shadow Secretary for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, for releasing the statement in the midst of the cancellation of England’s final test match against India.

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The club later cited legal reasons for not releasing the full report.

However, yesterday, ESPNCricinfo reported that the investigation panel found at least one player used the P-word when talking to Rafiq.

‘Banter’ between players

The investigation cleared the player of any wrongdoing after the report said it was perceived as friendly, good-natured “banter” between the two players.

Following the publication of the summary report, Rafiq has continued to campaign against racism and taken to social media to criticise Yorkshire’s response.

The Stray Ferret has approached Yorkshire County Cricket Club for comment.

In response to the allegations, Roger Hutton, chairman of Yorkshire, said in a statement in September:

“There is no question that Azeem Rafiq, during his first spell as a player at YCCC, was the victim of racial harassment. He was also subsequently the victim of bullying.

“On behalf of all at YCCC, I wish to extend my sincere, profound and unreserved apologies to Azeem and to his family.”