AN elderly man was injured when he fell whilst hill walking near Church Stretton.

The elderly man who took a tumble down a bank whilst out walking in Church Stretton this afternoon was rescued thanks to quite a few helping hands.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Carding Mill Valley in Church Stretton at around 1.45pm (Tuesday). An ambulance and a paramedic area support officer attended. The fire service were also on scene.

“The patient was located about 500 yards from where the ambulance had parked at the top of Carding Mill Valley; the nearest location it could reach,” said a spokeswoman from the West Midlands Ambulance Service.

“Ambulance staff were met by National Trust rangers and volunteers who used their specialised 4×4 vehicle to take them part-way to where the patient was.

“The team then walked the remainder of the way up a bank where, upon arrival, they found a 71-year-old man who had suffered a hip injury and was unable to walk. He had reportedly lost his footing on a pathway and ended up tumbling about 10 – 15 feet down a bank.

“The man was given pain relief and once comfortable, ambulance staff immobilised the man onto a scoop stretcher. The man was then carried back down to the 4×4 vehicle with help from the volunteers, rangers and the fire service.

“Once strapped on board, the man was carefully driven back to the awaiting ambulance before being taken to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

“It was a difficult case due to the fairly remote location and terrain but help from the rangers, volunteers and the fire service ensured the patient got the care he needed.”