The Edale team at the scene of the rescue of the boulderer at Stanage. Photo: Edale MRT

A climber bouldering at a popular Peak District site had to be airlifted to hospital after breaking his leg in a fall over just three feet.

The 46-year-old from Bamford in Derbyshire was on boulders at The Plantation on Stanage Edge near Hathersage when he fell on to his bouldering mat.

An Edale Mountain Rescue Team spokespersons said: “Despite the short distance, he proved the old saying that ‘it’s not the fall, it’s the landing’ to be true. He sustained a serious fracture to his femur or thigh bone.”

The rescuers were called and volunteers, including a paramedic, requested help from an air ambulance.

The spokesperson said: “The Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire helicopter responded and dropped another paramedic nearby.

“The man was in considerable pain from his injury so rather than carry him off the hill it was decided to use a Royal Air Force Sea King to recover him.

“After treatment by the team and the crew of Helimed 29, the injured man was winched from the scene by the RAF and flown to the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield.

“He has since had an operation to repair his broken leg with a metal plate and should go on to make a good recovery.”

The incident was the team’s 102nd of the year.

The spokesperson added: “Like many charities, Edale MRT is feeling the effects of the economic climate and is working hard to raise the funds necessary to keep the service running.

“Team members will be out fundraising in Barkers Pool in Sheffield on Saturday 14 December.”