Rescue helicopter winches woman with injured ankle who fell while walking in the Stirling Range to safety

The RAC Rescue helicopter has winched an injured hiker to safety in the Stirling Range National Park in the Great Southern on Thursday. St John WA were called about 1pm and sent two crews to help a woman in her 30s who had been injured near She-Oak Col on the Stirling Range Ridge Walk. A St John WA spokesperson said the woman had injured an ankle when hiking with friends. The RAC Rescue helicopter was dispatched and helped rescue the woman, before transporting her to Albany Regional Airport. She was then transported from the airstrip by St John WA under normal road conditions to Albany Health Campus at about 4.20pm. A Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson said two State Emergency Services crews had been dispatched, from Gnowangerup and Albany, about 1.40pm to assist but were later stood down. The Stirling Range Ridge Walk is a popular walking and hiking area but is one of the toughest trails in WA. The injured woman was said to be well equipped with food, water and camping gear.