A PENSIONER had to be airlifted from Pendle Hill after falling while on a rambling trip.

The 74-year-old, from Chatburn, was rescued by helicopter from the top of Pendle by the crew of the Northwest Air Ambulance.

The woman was a member of a rambling group who had slipped on a wet stone while crossing a stream at the top of the hill.

She had suffered a knee injury which left her unable to stand. Members of the group telephoned for assistance and an ambulance, along with Bolton mountain rescue team and the Air Ambulance were all despatched.

The air ambulance, which can travel at 140 mph, took just 14 minutes from leaving base at Blackpool to landing near the patient.

The aircrew made an assessment of the patient before taking her off the hill. A land ambulance took her to Queens Park Hospital, Blackburn.