The train on which Marian was travelling crashes, trapping her in the wreckage. Although she cannot escape, she's free to move around the carriage to help those injured, assisted by fellow passenger Dr Nick Burnett - who turns out to be the Royal's new locum. Back at the hospital, a shortage of staff puts the casualty department under pressure when the crash victims begin to arrive.

Carnegie disapproves when Nick admits several homeless people from Elsinby to the hospital. Gordon is reluctant to let Jill take on heavy duties. However his plans fall apart when she is called to attend to road along the coast when a female victim of a car accident goes into labor. Meanwhile, Matron is stunned when she sees who is the new student nurse, and patient who enjoys gossip discloses where Ken is.

An accident at the harbor leaves a fisherman concerned for the future of his family when Burnett is forced to amputate his hand. Weatherill treats a woman admitted with pneumonia who is deeply concerned about her father's presence around her daughter. Ken bids a final farewell to The Royal, but Lizzie's resolve flounders at the last minute.

Eric Fogle is appointed as new head porter, putting Alun's nose out of joint. The hospital receives a letter of resignation from Dr Banner in Australia and has to appoint a partner to the practice - Weatherill believes she knows just the person, but Dr Ormerod favors Dr Burnett. Elsewhere, when Lucy Bayliss is involved in a horse-riding accident an X-ray reveals a more long-term problem.

Maria Dannini suffers injury when her ice-cream parlour is vandalised, but further revelations lead to a more serious medical situation. Sister Brigid faces a dilemma when her pregnant sister Moira arrives wanting advice on an abortion. Elsewhere, a cunning Susie has a plan to get rid of Eric, and Burnett decides to stay at The Royal.

As the hospital staff come to terms with the loss of Stella and Frankie, everyone’s surprised when an attractive surfer, who crashes into Dr Burnett’s car, turns out to be the new ambulance driver, Bobby.

Alun is getting ready for a gig in town with his new band and deafens everyone while he practices in the porter’s office. Marian reasons that they should all go and watch the gig as Stella loved a good night out and wouldn’t want to see her friends sitting in every night. However, when Dr Burnett explains he can’t go as he’s on call, Marian is soon charmed by Bobby, who agrees to be her date to the gig. Will Marian turn to Bobby for a good time?

Dr Burnett is called out to a run down farm house where 15-year-old Simon, who has speech and learning difficulties, is running a high fever. The farm is in a bad state and the family seem to be struggling to cope. They’re horrified when Burnett reveals he needs to get Simon to hospital ASAP in order to rule out meningitis. Will they get to the bottom of Simon’s illness?

Mr. Middleditch's 70th Birthday celebrations are interrupted by a bus crash.

With Susie and Carnegie's relationship becoming the focus of talk in the hospital, Matron reaches the end of her patience and decides to suspend Susie when she's late for work. Mr Rose faces a personal test when a golfing friend of his has to into the operating theatre, Nick copes struggles with a dilemna and Gordon and Bobby are called to a farming accident where a man is trapped by a combine harvester.

Nick races against time to save two schoolgirls who have been poisoned by carbon monoxide, Susie has to use quick thinking when Matron falls ill during their picnic on the cliff front and has to go into hospital, giving Susie an opportunity to prove herself. In the meantime, a man is training to become a priest, which causes a family problem which Jill needs to sort out.

Sister Brigid helps to make a bright future for her sister Moira and her baby. However when things take a shocking twist Gordon and Jill have to make a heartrending decision. Susie does her best to be the perfect nurse and ends her relationship with Carnegie. However he proposes to her. Meanwhile Bobby has to deal with the violent stepfather of a local thug, taking matters into his own hands.