Tweed Valley team members stetcher the injured rider to the air ambulance. Photo: Tweed Valley MRT

A rider was airlifted to hospital after crashing at a popular mountain biking venue in the Scottish Borders.

Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team was alerted about 1pm on Monday when the biker fell on the red route of the 7Stanes trail in Newcastleton Forest.

The trail lies just north of the Scottish border, east of Langholm. The team said the incident happened in one of its most southerly operational areas.

An air ambulance also flew to the scene and a specialist trauma team also went to the site.

The stricken rider, who was unable to move from the scene of the accident, was stretchered to the helicopter.

Dave Wright, the Tweed Valley deputy team leader, said: “This incident occurred in a remote part of the Scottish Borders and despite the location, the first team members were on scene within 30 minutes.

“All involved were thankful of the arrival of the Helimed air ambulance as the evacuation by air meant a long transfer by road ambulance was avoided. I’d like to thank all our volunteer team members for making themselves available, especially those who travelled a considerable distance to reach the incident.”

The Selkirk-based Tweed Valley MRT covers West Lothian, Midlothian, the city of Edinburgh and the Borders area to the West of the A68.