BBC’s rescue docuseries SOS: Extreme Rescues is back for a third series this July, once again following the life-saving work of emergency responders across the treacherous terrain of Eryri, Wales’ largest National Park.
The 12-part series, produced by Caernarfon-based Darlun, tracks real-time missions across 800 square miles of unpredictable wilderness. From ice-covered peaks to fast-moving tides, the cameras are embedded with the teams called when lives are on the line. This year, the show expands its reach with new teams including Llanberis Mountain Rescue, the busiest unit of its kind in the UK, and the high-risk specialists of Cave Rescue.
Filmed over 18 months, the new run captures dramatic airlifts, blizzard conditions, and rescues from cliff faces and waterfalls. It continues to spotlight the coordination between more than 17 agencies across land, air and sea, showing how professional crews and volunteers come together in one of the UK’s most demanding environments.
Each episode focuses on multiple rescues, often unfolding across multiple locations in a single day. Whether it’s tourists stranded on ridge lines or climbers injured deep underground, the series documents the pressure and precision required from responders operating in real-time.
The production team faced its own challenges tracking fast-moving incidents in harsh conditions, but the access delivers rare behind-the-scenes insight into how these operations are managed minute by minute.
Returning to BBC One Wales, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, the series builds on strong ratings and critical acclaim from its earlier runs. The new episodes premiere on Wednesday, July 16, at 7pm. All twelve episodes will be made available the same day on iPlayer.
SOS: Extreme Rescues is once again placing a spotlight on the people who walk into danger so others can walk out of it.
