CAVE rescue volunteers joined forces with the Yorkshire Air Ambulance to bring an injured  woman in her 30s safely down from Whernside during ‘challenging' weather conditions yesterday (Monday).

Strong winds spelt difficulty for the accompanying air ambulance, which meant plans had to be put in place for the woman to be stretchered back off the summit of Whernside - the highest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks.

The Clapham based Cave Rescue Organisation (CRO) received a call from police for help at around 1.30pm after the woman badly injured her leg close to the summit.

While a team was making its way to the rendezvous point, members were told a Yorkshire Air Ambulance was also on its way.

Jonty Rhodes of the CRO, said: “Gusty winds and intermittent cloud around the summit meant that the helicopter couldn’t locate the casualty site, or land nearby, so the air ambulance team landed at the base of the hill where the cave rescue team were assembled.

“A plan was formulated to ferry the air ambulance paramedics and CRO team members up the hill in the helicopter to locate the casualty and provide casualty care.

“Due to the challenging weather conditions, it was uncertain whether the helicopter would be able pick the casualty up from close to the summit so we wanted to make sure we had plenty of CRO team members present in case we were going to have a long stretcher carry down the hill.”

The woman casualty was given pain relief and treatment by the paramedics before being transferred to a stretcher ready to be carried back down the peak.

“Fortunately, a window in the weather provided an opportunity for the Helimed to land a short distance from the summit so the casualty was transferred into the helicopter and flown directly to hospital, “ said Mr Rhodes.

“This was a brilliant piece of teamwork between YAA and CRO, the assistance in getting cave rescue personnel and kit up the hill so quickly ensured the casualty got the best care available in the shortest time possible. We are very grateful for their support and look forward to working with them in the future.”