A family day out, a bike ride with friends or time spent enjoying the sunshine
can quickly turn into an emergency.
This summer, North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) crews responded to more than 1,300 incidents linked to seasonal risks. Between June and August, NEAS responded to:
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929 bike-related incidents
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402 heat-related incidents
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11 water-related incidents
Together, the three campaign themes generated 1,342 incident records, slightly more than during the same period in 2025 and more than 20% higher than in 2024.
As it rounds up its first summer safety campaign, NEAS is thanking communities, partners, volunteers and local media who helped share potentially life-saving advice across the region.
Alun Ross, HART and critical care manager said: “Summer should be about enjoying time with family and friends, but every year we see people seriously injured or becoming unwell because of risks that are often preventable.
"This summer, our crews attended hundreds of incidents involving cyclists, people affected by hot weather and those getting into difficulty around water. Behind every call is a person in need of help, and in some cases a situation that may have been avoided with a few simple precautions.
"One of the clearest trends we saw was the number of bike-related incidents (cycling, using motorbikes, e-bikes and scooters), with crews responding to 340 incidents in July alone, a 25 percent increase compared with the same month last year. This highlights why simple measures such as wearing a helmet, being visible and carrying out basic bike safety checks are so important."
The campaign focused on simple actions people can take to stay safe, avoid preventable harm and reduce the need for emergency care.
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Staying hydrated during hot weather
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Avoiding the dangers of open water
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Wearing a helmet when cycling or scooting
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Checking in on vulnerable friends, relatives and neighbours during periods of hot weather
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Choosing the most appropriate NHS service for healthcare needs
During the hottest days of the summer, from 25 to 27 June, NEAS experienced record levels of demand, including the highest number of category 1 incidents, our most serious emergency calls. The spike in demand reinforced the importance of helping people stay safe during periods of extreme heat.
NEAS serves 2.7 million people across the North East and handles all NHS 111 and 999 calls for the region. Every year, its crews and clinicians respond to hundreds of thousands of emergencies, alongside partners including hospitals, police, fire and rescue services, HM Coastguard, mountain rescue teams and the Great North Air Ambulance Service.
Alun added: "Our summer safety campaign has been about giving people practical advice to help them make informed choices, reduce their risk of harm and enjoy everything the North East has to offer safely.
"We'd like to thank everyone who helped share our messages throughout the summer. By working together, we can reach more people, raise awareness of seasonal risks and help prevent avoidable emergencies."
While emergency responders will always be there when people need them most, helping people stay safe and avoid preventable harm remains one of the most effective ways to protect communities and reduce pressure on service.
For more summer safety advice, visit the NEAS summer safety advice page.
