A PENSIONER had to be winched off a well-known beauty spot with a helicopter after she complained of feeling unwell.

The 65-year-old was said to be in a state of near collapse after reaching the summit of Roseberry Topping, in east Cleveland.

The Yorkshire Ambulance Service and members of the Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team went to the scene and were assisted by an RAF Sea King helicopter which fortunately had been on a practice mission in the area.

The woman, from Guisborough, was winched into the aircraft and flown to James Cook Hospital, in Middlesbrough.

Barry Warrington, a spokesman for the mountain rescue team, said “In such cases it is a tremendous asset to be able to call on the help of the Sea King Helicopter.

“It was particularly fortunate that it was in the area and as always the crew did a brilliant job in winching the lady off the hill and getting her to hospital as quickly as possible”

The incident was the second to occur over the weekend with the mountain rescue team also being called upon to help a seven year-old boy who had become stuck on a steep shale slope which was slippery.

The boy had been out walking with his father, who called 999 for help. Members of the rescue team secured the child and then roped him to safety. He was uninjured and able to make his way back to his car.

Mr Warrington said: “ We were glad to be of assistance in circumstances which must have been an anxious period for both father and son. Clearly the boys’ father made the right call in getting help as quickly as possible. ”