The gyrocopter crashed on Great Knoutberry Hill. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

A pilot was airlifted from a Yorkshire Dales fell after a gyrocopter crashed near its summit.

The aircraft hit the ground near the summit of Great Knoutberry Hill, overlooking Dentdale, on Saturday.

The incident happened about 3.20pm while The Fellsman event was underway. Great Knoutberry Hill is one of the fells runners and walkers visit during the 60-mile (97km) challenge.

Cumbria Constabulary said it was alerted by a member of the public that the light aircraft, which has a propeller to provide thrust and a non-powered rotor for lift, had hit the 672m (2,205ft) hill, east of Dent railway station.

The Cave Rescue Organisation was called out about 3.35pm and sent two of its vehicles with team members towards the site. The team had just finished providing safety cover for the Three Peaks Race. Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team was also alerted as the fell marks the boundary of the two teams’ areas.

The Great North Air Ambulance also flew to the scene and landed near the site.

Cumbria police said: “The passenger had no injuries, however the pilot was airlifted to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary with what are believed to be minor injuries.”

The incident has been referred to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

Soon afterwards, the Cave Rescue Organisation received a second call for help for what was described as a 37-year-old woman who had fallen from a wall, 200m from Settle Golf Club.

A number of team members made their way from the finish of the Three Peaks Race in Horton in Ribblesdale to the second incident, to help ambulance staff.

A team spokesperson said: “On arrival, the team members discovered that the incident involved a climber who had suffered a 3m [10ft] fall from Giggleswick Scar, sustaining a displaced fracture of her right ankle.

“Team members provided casualty care, including splintage and pain relief. Due to extremely difficult access, further team members were requested to attend to assist with a belayed stretcher lower over difficult terrain from the scar to the road some 60m below.

“The casualty was eventually lowered to the road and carried to a road ambulance for transfer to hospital.”