A WOMAN has been airlifted to hospital following a cliff rescue near Old Harry Rocks.

It is believed the female slipped near the cliff edge and fell about 90ft.

Emergency services were called to the area this morning (January 11) following reports from the public that a female had been seen at the bottom of the cliffs calling for help.

Officers attended along with Swanage coastguard, Swanage lifeboat and the coastguard helicopter.

The lady was recovered by lifeboat crews at the base of the cliff and taken to hospital by helicopter.

Her injuries are still currently unknown.

A report on the Swanage Lifeboats website read: "Both Swanage’s lifeboats were tasked this morning along with the volunteers from Swanage and St Albans Coastguard and the rescue helicopter from Lee-on-Solent to investigate reports of someone shouting for help at the base of the cliff at Old Harry Rocks. 

"The inshore lifeboat was first on scene and soon located a person. A crew member was put ashore to assess and stabilise the casualty who was partially in the water in a small gully at the base of the cliff.

"The all weather lifeboat was now on scene, the inshore lifeboat came out to sea to collect another crew member to assist in extraction.

"The inshore went back to the cliff base and was able to get the casualty aboard. The casualty was then quickly transferred to the all weather lifeboat.

"By this time the Coastguard Helicopter had arrived on scene so the lifeboat moved out to sea and to allow their paramedic and his kit was lowered down.

"The casualty was assessed, kept warm then lifted in to the helicopter to be taken to Southampton Hospital for treatment. All units were then released to return to station."

Matt Pinner, a Dorset photographer was the person who dialled 999.

He said: "I set out for Sunrise at Old Harry Rocks, on arriving at 7:40am I could hear someone screaming for help, I shouted back but got no answer apart from a distance cry for help.

"I could see a cave at the bottom of Old Harry Rocks an thought the voice was coming from there, witch was about 50 meters away from me and a 100ft drop.

"I called 999 an asked for the Coastguard and when they got to the scene they also called for the coastguard helicopter and the police.

"She was taken by the costguard boat an airlifted to the helicopter."

A spokesman for Dorset Police added: "We were called at 7.40am to reports of a concern for welfare. It was reported that a woman had fallen to the bottom of the cliffs near Old Harry Rocks.

"She was located by coastguard and airlifted to Southampton Hospital."