AN elderly man was trapped on a ledge for nearly two hours after plunging 100ft down a near-vertical rockface.

The 83-year-old, who is from California, USA, was out walking in the North Yorkshire Dales with a group of relatives on Tuesday afternoon.

He fell down an embankment at Mill Gill near Askrigg, Swaledale, at about 3.15pm, and his fall was broken by a tree that was growing on the ledge.

Teams from North Yorkshire Police, the Great North Air Ambulance, the North Yorkshire Ambulance Service and Swaledale Mountain Rescue were all called to the scene, but the man was left stranded for almost two hours before he could be reached by the rescue teams and hauled to safety.

He seemed to have suffered only minor injuries, but was airlifted to the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough as a precaution. He was later discharged.

Askrigg resident Kate Empsall, who walks regularly at Mill Gill, said: "It's a very popular stretch, and used a lot by locals and visitors alike.

"The track is about five foot wide, but there is a deep ravine down one side.

"It's quite wooded, and the ravine would have been a lot more visible in the bleak mid winter, but it could still be seen at this time of year.

"I'm just so glad the gentleman seems to have avoided major injury - he was very lucky."

A spokeswoman for the Great North Air Ambulance said: "It's not yet known whether he had a funny turn and stumbled over the edge, or if he simply lost his footing. "He is described as a very fit man, who plays tennis three times a week.

"He suffered a concussion, but seemed to have only minor injuries.

"Because of his age and the way he fell, he was taken to hospital purely as a precautionary measure."

Paul Denning, of Swaledale Mountain Rescue, added: "We urge everyone who goes walking in the Dales to take the necessary precautions.

"It's a good idea to let someone know where you are going, always use the appropriate equipment.

"It looks like this gentleman has been very lucky."