FELL rescue was called out yesterday (Sunday) after an 80-year old woman fell on the path between Starbotton and Buckden in Upper Wharfedale.

It was getting dark, at just after 5pm, when police contacted Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue to assist the woman who was on her own and was believed to have sustained a sprained ankle.

Initially, the woman could not be found, and a helicopter and search dogs were about to be called in, but fortunately, she was located and additional help was not needed.

A spokesperson for Grassington based UWFRA said: "The team controller sent a phone find and called the casualty, their phone lasted long enough for them to say they had a sprained ankle before their battery died.

"The grid reference provided did not match the description so we deployed to Starbotton and sent a small party to check the most likely route.

"The casualty was not on the initial route and, after discussion, it was decided to escalate the call out requesting search dogs, Swaledale MRT and HM Coastguard Helicopter. Fortunately the casualty was located as the additional resources were deploying and were stood down.

"The casualty was stretchered 1km down to Starbotton for onwards transport to Airedale hospital by Yorkshire Ambulance Service. We wish the casualty a fast recovery."