Newgate Bank, scene of the search. Photo: Steve Daniels CC-BY-SA-2.0

A mountain rescuer was airlifted to hospital after slipping and injuring his back during a search.

The incident happened yesterday during the continuing hunt for a retired schoolteacher in the North York Moors national park.

Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team is co-ordinating the search for Barbara Colling, who has not been seen since 28 January when she was seen walking between Helmsley and Stokesley.

Other rescue teams were called in and joined local residents in the search for 68-year-old Ms Colling, who has dementia.

During the resumed search yesterday in the Newgate Bank area of Bilsdale, a rescuer slipped and landed on his back.

Barbara Colling

Pete Mounsey of Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team said the volunteer was from a sister team.

He was airlifted to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough as a precaution.

Mr Mounsey said: “He wasn’t seriously injured and was released later in the evening.”

North Yorkshire Police expressed concern for the welfare of the mother of two. A spokesperson said: “Barbara has serious health issues and her behaviour is out of character.

“Officers, search and rescue teams and local residents in Helmsley have conducted extensive searches in the local area.

“Although it is strongly believed that Barbara is in Helmsley it is possible that she has travelled to another area of the country.

“Officers are asking people to report any sightings of a woman matching her description to the police.”

She is described as white, 5ft 6in [168cm] tall with a medium build and medium-length blond hair.

“When she was last seen she wearing a navy-blue jacket, blue trousers, a black woollen hat with ear flaps and black boots and is thought to have been carrying a black rucksack,” the spokesperson said.