Despite his kidney condition deteriorating even further Max Cristie, played by Nigel Harman, found himself at the centre of the heroics during a dramatic rescue on Casualty.

Casualty fans all said the same thing as they watched Dr Max Cristie (played by Nigel Harman) come close to death in the latest episode. He has been struggling in recent weeks as his kidney failure has escalated and the opening of the episode saw him undergoing dialysis with his daughter Jodie Whyte (Anna Chell) by his side.

However, despite his weakened state, he still found himself playing the hero during a dangerous rescue. Two eco warrior brothers had dug out an underground cave to live in, in order to protest about plans to fell woodland.

Unfortunately, one of them injured himself and Max was forced to go down a dangerous tunnel in order to get to him for treatment. As he reached the pair, the ceiling started to cave in, but it held up as he worked on the wound.

They then had to crawl back out through the dangerous dug outs dragging the injured brother. However, as they reached the surface Max collapsed.

As Jan Jennings (Diane Botcher) tried to check him over, a woozy Max realised that one of the brothers hadn’t left the tunnel. Although he tried to reason wth him, the youngster crawled back into the tunnel which later collapsed.

Max Cristie risked his life to rescue two brothers from a woodland tunnel in Casualty (Image: BBC)

Viewers were on the edge of their seats fearing that their favourite doctor might to make it to the end of the episode and took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their fears.

@RyanTheSoapking tweeted: “Max has pushed himself too far this time. Why does he never listen? #Casualty.”

@fitness_makeup pleaded: “Max you really shouldn’t be under there ffs what are you playing at? #Casualty.” (sic)

While @cedgson91 agreed: “Please be careful Max #Casualty.”

“#casualty should Max be working to say he is undergoing kidney failure treatment,” @adammasters5 asked.

@janemas1989 went on: “Max working when he really shouldn’t be #Casualty.” (sic)

They later admitted: “This scene with Max and Jodie is making me cry.”

Max Cristie made it out of the tunnels alive after a heroic rescue in Casualty (Image: BBC)

Later in the show, there was good news as Jodie announced that she was a match with Max and would donate her kidney to him. However, he shot her down and while Max may have made it to the end of the episode, fans will have to say goodbye to him soon as Strictly Come Dancing star Nigel is getting set to leave the show.

Elsewhere, Iain Dean (Michael Stevenson) and Jacob Masters (Charles Venn) found themselves dealing with a pregnant woman who refused to allow any noise around her, including speaking, as she wanted a silent birth.

Rida Amaan (Sarah Seggari) was struggling as she tried to juggle her work in the ED with looking after Rash Masum’s (Neet Mohan) father whose dementia caused him to act violently towards her leaving her with an infected bite.

Meanwhile, Stevie Nash (Elinor Lawless) refused to treat a man after his wife became obstreperous but her decision had fatal consequences.