The River Aire at Airton. Photo: Immanuel Giel

A Coastguard cliff rescue team from south-west England was called into action to help an injured walker in the Yorkshire Dales.

The Prawle Point Coastguard Rescue Team was accompanying colleagues from the Clapham-based Cave Rescue Organisation when two simultaneous calls for help were received.

The Devon rescuers had travelled up to Yorkshire with a team member who was a former CRO volunteer, to act as ‘casualties’ and to observe techniques during a training weekend.

The Coastguard team members helped carry an injured woman to an ambulance after she slipped and broke her ankle. The 69-year-old woman was walking in fields near the River Aire at Airton on Saturday when the incident happened.

A CRO spokesperson said: “After carrying out first aid and splinting the injury, the casualty was stretchered to an ambulance at Town End Farm shop, Airton, for transport to Airedale Hospital.

“Because a second call to another casualty was received as the team arrived at the scene, four members of Prawle Coastguard cliff rescue team, who had attended just to observe, were utilised to assist with the stretcher carry.”

As the second call came in to aid a 19-year-old woman who had injured her leg while walking at Attermire Scar near Settle, one of the team’s vehicles was diverted to deal with the incident.

The CRO spokesperson said: “Further personnel were mobilised from the team’s base at Clapham.

“The team was directed to the casualty by other members of her party. The team administered first aid, and then stretchered the casualty to a team vehicle for transport to a road ambulance at Stockdale Lane.

“After assessment by the ambulance crew, the casualty was transported to rejoin her party at their vehicle, to self-present at their local hospital on return to Bradford.”