A 70-year-old female with known anaplastic thyroid cancer developed critical airway narrowing because her tumour extended below the level of a pre-existing tracheostomy. A single use fibreoptic bronchoscope (Ambu® aScope) was passed distal to the inferior border of the tumour, and the control handle of the bronchoscope was cut and removed from the shaft. This allowed removal of the old tracheostomy tube and a longer tracheostomy tube could be railroaded over it, such that the distal end was then below the level of the tumour, allowing her airway to be rescued. This case highlights a novel adaptation of a disposable bronchoscope in a critical airway situation.It allowed both assessment of the airway and acted as a conduit to secure a definitive airway.