A MAN has been airlifted to hospital after falling off a rockface and breaking his leg.

The man feel around 25 metres from the top of a rockface at Symonds Yat in Herefordshire. If he bracken had not broken his fall it could have been a lot worse said emergency crews.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called shortly after 2.45pm yesterday.

A paramedic area support officer in a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance crew and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham attended.

Emergency services from Gloucestershire also attended.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The man, who is in his twenties was out rockclimbing with friends. It was fortunate that his fall had been broken by some bracken. He was found half-way up the rock face. Then followed a rescue lasting approximately three hours.

“All emergency and rescue services worked together to get him to the bottom of the rockface. He was then carried to the waiting land ambulance which transported him to the air ambulance to be flown to Hereford County Hospital.

“He had a broken leg and lower back pain. The hospital was put on alert for his arrival.”