The injured climber is winched into the helicopter. Photo: Derby MRT

A climber was airlifted from a Peak District crag after suffering multiple injuries in a fall.

The 26-year-old from Newbold near Chesterfield, fell 9m (30ft) at Cratcliffe near Birchover on Saturday afternoon.

The man, who was climbing with friends, hit his head on rock during the fall, and also suffered injuries to his arms and one of his hands.

Derby Mountain Rescue Team was called out and 12 of the team’s volunteers, including three doctors, went to the scene. He was treated at the crag and given pain relief. An ambulance crew also joined the rescue team at the foot of the cliff.

A Derby MRT spokesperson said, due to the nature of the casualty’s injuries and the difficult-to-reach location, a Coastguard helicopter with winching capabilities was called so the injured man could be lifted from where he was being treated, rather than being carried to the waiting ambulance, which would have been a difficult and time-consuming operation.

Rescuers and paramedics at the scene at Cratcliffe. Photo: Derby MRT

“The helicopter, which was located in Wales at the time of the call, was able to fly to the incident location within 40 minutes,” the spokesperson said. “The injured man was then winched into the helicopter as it hovered over the cliff and flown to the Northern General hospital in Sheffield for further treatment. He was conscious and in a stable condition.”

The spokesperson added: “This was a good collaboration between different agencies which ensured the best result for the casualty. We wish him a speedy recovery.”