The walker broke her ankle near Malham Cove. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

Rescuers had to don full protective gear in ‘unbearably hot’ conditions after a walker injured herself in the Yorkshire Dales.

The Cave Rescue Organisation was called out about 3.25pm on Thursday when the 42-year-old suffered a serious ankle injury near Malham Cove.

The walker slipped and broke her ankle badly on the path between Malham Rakes and the top of the cove.

An ambulance crew treated her at the scene, then CRO team members took her on a wheeled stretcher to a waiting ambulance at the roadhead, while following Covid-19 precautions.

A team spokesperson said: “Although normally a very simple type of incident, this stretcher evacuation was slowed by the need to protect team members with protective clothing which was almost unbearably hot on a beautifully sunny afternoon.

“Also, as a safety precaution, all equipment was decontaminated afterwards.”