Rescuers at the scene of the girl's fall. Photo: Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton

A teenager was airlifted to hospital after falling from a crag at a popular Devon climbing venue.

Dartmoor Search and Rescue was alerted at 2.50pm on Sunday when the 13-year-old girl suffered multiple injuries in the incident at Chudleigh Rocks.

The team’s volunteers joined doctors, ambulance staff and police at the scene. The Devon Air Ambulance also flew to the site.

A team spokesperson said: “The casualty was incredibly lucky to have survived the fall from the rock. The rock is in close proximity to a large number of small trees and we think it was the trees that broke the fall and prevented more serious injury.

“The ground surrounding the rocks is loose and slippery in places, and considerable care was needed to make sure the patient was transported safely by stretcher to the helicopter. All the agencies involved worked seamlessly together to make sure the patient was given the best chance of a good recovery.

“The casualty sustained multiple injuries in the fall. The initial clinical assessment was that although serious, the injuries weren’t thought to be life-threatening and the casualty was conscious when transported by stretcher to the helicopter.

“This will obviously be updated once a more detailed examination in hospital is undertaken.”

Team leader Keith Lambeth said: “Just two weeks ago the team undertook a joint training exercise with the [British Association for Immediate Care] Devon volunteer doctors at Haytor in preparation for incidents such as this.

“The seamless team working shown by all the agencies on site today showed that joint training is of utmost importance in making sure casualties are given the best chance.

“We wish the teenager all good wishes for a full and speedy recovery.”