A 23-year-old woman was rescued after suffering a fall in the Dovestone area of Saddleworth on Saturday.

Volunteers from Oldham Mountain Rescue Team were scrambled following a request from Greater Manchester Police after reports the woman had suffered an accident.

The distressed woman had fallen and injured her ankle somewhere in the Dovestones area, although initially her exact whereabouts was unknown.

Battling foreboding weather and using sophisticated phone-find equipment, the rescuers were able to accurately pinpoint the casualty and direct team members to Dean Rocks on the Edges Path above Dovestone, one of Saddleworth’s favourite visitor haunts.

An OMRT spokesperson said: “We soon had a medic and kit at the casualty site and were able to assess and treat the casualty.

“But due to the potentially long and difficult carry off, North West Air Ambulance was requested to airlift the casualty.

“ Unfortunately, they could not land due to the deteriorating weather conditions and had to abort, so the larger Maritime and Coastguard Agency helicopter was brought in.

“MCA arrived just as light was failing and we were able to hot load the stretcher for the casualty’s onward transport to hospital.

“We then escorted the lady’s companion safely off the hill before heading back to base to disinfect, dry and check our kit so it is ready for the next time.”

The rescue operation involved OMRT personnel for three hours, 27 minutes.