Rescuers had to beat the tide as they scrambled to help a woman with a serious head injury on the Jurassic Coast.

Coastguards and paramedics were faced with a difficult rescue on the rocks at Kimmeridge Bay as the incoming spring tide hampered efforts.

They were alerted to the area late on Thursday afternoon after a woman slipped on rocks and suffered a nasty head injury. She was also complaining of back pain.

Initial attempts to take her off the beach on the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, which landed at the scene, had to be thwarted as the tide drew closer.

In the end, a coastguard rescue helicopter had to be brought in and the casualty was winched aboard.

She ended up being taken to a specialist unit for head injuries at Southampton Hospital.

Community first responders – volunteers trained by the ambulance service who attend emergency calls where they live, usually in more rural areas – were also involved in the rescue.

A spokesman for Kimmeridge Coastguard said: "Due to the seriousness of injuries the decision was made for an air ambulance to assist.

"Once the air ambulance doctor and paramedic arrived it was deemed that due to the difficult terrain and a fast incoming tide the helicopter would be unable to remain on the rocky shoreline next to the casualty and landed in Kimmeridge car park instead.

"Working closely with the critical care team and responders, coastguards provided help with stabilising the casualty, providing communications and liaising between the ambulance crew and coastguard control room.

"On three occasions the casualty securely strapped into a stretcher had to be moved carefully, sliding the stretcher over the slippery rocks to avoid the incoming tide.

"Having risk assessed the difficult stretcher carry back across rocks and up slippery steps, poor light with tide now well in, it was decided that the best means of medical evacuation would be by winch recovery from the coastguard helicopter."

They added: "All in all a good multi-agency job with everyone working well together in a very difficult situation.

"We wish the person all the best and a speedy recovery."

Brian Terrey who saw the incident unfold said: "I was on the other side of Kimmeridge Bay taking photos of the waterfall. I noticed a crowd of officials in yellow jackets; they appeared to be crowding around a person on the ground. I suspected it was a slip or fall as the rocks are so slippery especially at low tide.

"Around ten minutes later a rescue helicopter arrived on the scene. It circled a few times and did actually land on the beach behind the patient. Shortly after it took off again and I saw it again in the car park as I left."

He added: "They had to work fast as it was a spring tide and it was coming in super fast. It was great display of teamwork by dedicated professionals and I hope the person injured makes a full and quick recovery.”