RAF rescues Shropshire climber hurt in 30ft fall

A climber suffered serious leg injuries after falling 30ft down a rock face in Shropshire – sparking a two-hour rescue operation involving an RAF helicopter.

The man, who is believed to be 51, had to be winched to safety after falling at Earls Hill, Pontesbury, near Shrewsbury, at about 3.30pm yesterday.

John Hawker, West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman, said paramedics had to walk some way up a steep path to reach the man after the alarm was raised by the man's wife.

He said: "The air ambulance was also in attendance and could not land very close and the crew walked to the patient up a small steep path.

"The rock climber, a man believed to be 51 years old, had fallen around 30 feet from the rock face and suffered serious leg injuries.

"The man received emergency treatment at the scene and his leg was immobilised using a splint.

"Due to the location of the man and the dense undergrowth where he had fallen, it became apparent that it was going to be extremely challenging to get him safely down the hill and back to an awaiting ambulance.

"The decision was made to call for the assistance of the RAF who sent a rescue helicopter to winch the man to safety."

The injured man was flown to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for further emergency treatment after two hours on the rock face.