A SCHOOLGIRL has been airlifted to a specialist hospital after breaking her leg in a 'freak' rock climbing accident.

The incident happened at about 11.40am today on the east side of Symonds Yat, on the Herefordshire / Gloucestershire border, where the girl was on an ‘outward bound’ course.

The girl, aged 12, was at the bottom of a cliff and about to start climbing when she got her foot caught in a rope and tumbled down a slope below.

An ambulance, the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham and the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Technical Rescue Unit along with a unit from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service were all sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The 12-year-old from Oxfordshire was about to undertake a rock climbing activity and was at the bottom of the cliff when she got her foot caught in a rope and tripped over a log, subsequently tumbling down a slope below the cliff.

“The ambulance crew splinted her leg before firefighters brought her up to the car park where they rendezvoused with the air ambulance.

“The critical care paramedics then used a traction splint to help treat the injury to her leg. She was also complaining of pain in her left wrist and cuts and bruises, though her helmet had protected her head.

“Given the injury, the aircrew decided to fly her to the specialist facilities at Bristol Children’s Hospital.”