Divis Mountain, west of Belfast. Photo: Rossographer CC-BY-SA-2.0

A woman used Facebook messages to summon help after coming across an injured person on a Northern Ireland hill.

Aisling Costello used the social media site to put a plea out to her friends to contact emergency services to rescue the woman on Divis Mountain, overlooking Belfast.

She posted a message about 10.40am on Saturday to say: “Stuck on top of mountain with a girl I found who has fallen and can’t move. Need a number to call can someone call for help or can someone call.

“I have no signal only internet. Divis and Black Mountain. We are at top.”

Dawn Petrie of the Coastguard picked up the thread and the police and ambulance service were alerted.

Ms Costello also posted three photographs on Facebook to try to guide emergency crews to the pair’s location.

The police service helicopter was scrambled but not used in the rescue. An ambulance crew found the two women who had also been joined by other passers-by.

The injured woman was taken to hospital for further treatment, suffering from a suspected broken leg.

The (478m) 1,568ft Divis Mountain, and neighbouring Black Mountain are owned by the National Trust and, in good weather, give panoramic views of Belfast and beyond