999 (initially known as 999: Dramatic Stories of Real Life Rescues in some listings) is a British docudrama television series presented by Michael Buerk, that premiered on 25 June 1992 on BBC One and ran until 17 September 2003. The series got its name from the emergency telephone number used in the United Kingdom and is the British adaptation of the American series Rescue 911, which premiered in April 1989 and ended in August 1996. A number of specials and spin-off shows were also aired, including five series of 999 Lifesavers (1994–1998) hosted by Buerk and Juliet Morris (later replaced by Donna Bernard), and 999 International in 1997.

History

In the first series, each episode included two reconstructions of real emergencies, using actors and occasionally Buerk himself, as well as some of the real people involved in the emergency. By the second series, episodes of 999 included more reconstructions. While recreating an accident for an episode in 1993, veteran stuntman Tip Tipping was killed in a parachuting accident. In September 2002, it was announced that the series had been cancelled.

Transmissions

Original series

999 Lifesavers

999 International

Specials

Merchandise

Tie-in publication

Video releases