'Amorous' couple rescued after fall

A couple who fell over a dry stone wall while getting "amorous" sparked a major rescue by the emergency services, the fire service have said.

A fire crew, paramedics and an air ambulance were called to the scene near the entrance to the Upper Wensleydale Business Park on Brunt Acres Road, Hawes, North Yorkshire, shortly after midday on Saturday.

While the couple in their 30s were leaning against a stone wall, the woman fell backwards over it. As the man tried to grab her, he went tumbling too and they both slipped down a steep bank on the other side.

The man suffered possible abdominal and leg injuries and was flown to hospital by air ambulance. The woman was taken by road to hospital with pelvic injuries.

A North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: "It would appear that a couple in their 30s were getting a little bit amorous against a stone wall at the side of the road when unfortunately the lady has slipped backwards and fallen over the wall and down a steep embankment on the other side.

"Unfortunately as she has fallen the male has attempted to get hold of her but the momentum has pulled him over as well.

"They have both fallen down the steep embankment."

The fire crew used a ladder to help paramedics get to the couple and rescue them.

"It was a very strange incident," the spokeswoman said.