Flying a helicopter close to the cliff edge demands great courage and skill, which has ensured this woman got the medical help she needed

Milford Haven Coastguard, Keith John

The woman and two friends, all from London, were walking along the Pembrokeshire Coast on Sunday when she fell down a section of cliff called Crystal Slab, near St Govans.

Her male friend raised the alarm while the female friend, a nurse, scaled down the cliff to administer first aid to the woman.

A rescue helicopter was scrambled by Milford Haven Coastguards from RAF Chivenor in Devon at around 2030 BST.

The woman was airlifted to Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest and was later transferred to Morriston Hospital in Swansea.

Popular walk

Milford Haven Coastguard Watch Manager, Keith John, said: "The rescue team reported to me from the scene just how expertly the helicopter crew had managed to get in close to the areas where the woman needed to be winched from.

"Flying a helicopter close to the cliff edge demands great courage and skill, which has ensured this woman got the medical help she needed as soon as possible."

The coastal path, which covers 186 miles (299km) of Pembrokeshire, is a popular tourist destination which attracts thousands of walkers and climbers every year.