Rescuers at the scene near Colwith. Photo: Coniston MRT

A walker was airlifted from Lake District woodland after tumbling more than 30ft when she slipped on steep ground.

Coniston Mountain Rescue Team was alerted at 1.15pm to the incident on the Cumbria Way near Colwith, west of Skelwith Bridge.

A couple were walking on a fine spring day when the woman slipped, falling about 10m.

A Coniston MRT spokesperson said: “The serious nature of her injuries and the difficult access called for a multi-agency response, with land ambulance, two air ambulances, fire service and mountain rescue all playing a part.

“We set up a rope system to safeguard the stretcher as it traversed the steep muddy slope.

“With a full medical team in attendance, she was carefully put onto our stretcher and carried off the hill so that she could be treated more safely. A vacuum mattress was used to stabilise her neck and spine, and a pelvic binder to stabilise her pelvis. At this point, she was intubated.

“We then carried her on our stretcher to the Great North Air Ambulance, which flew her to Preston hospital as the best choice for her injuries.”

The 2½-hour incident involved nine Coniston team members, along with two from Langdale Ambleside MRT and other emergency service members.