EMERGENCY services joined forces to help a woman who injured herself after falling down banking and steps into the River Rye.

The Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team was called to the incident just outside Helmsley by the ambulance service just before 4pm on Wednesday afternoon.

The woman had been walking with her husband when she slipped and fell into the river.

Although her husband managed to get her out of the river she needed medical attention after having been in the cold water.

She had also sustained lower leg injuries.

The Yorkshire Ambulance Service, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and police were also sent to the incident.

After being treated at the scene, the woman was lifted onto one of the Mountain Rescue Team's specialist stretchers and carried across the river, up the banking and some steps to the waiting ambulance.

She was then was taken to hospital by ambulance for further assessment and treatment.

The operation involved 21 mountain team rescue volunteers, along with one member co-ordinating things remotely.

A spokesman for the team said the rescue was a good example of joint working involving team members, paramedics, police officers and the fire and rescue service.

He said that it was fitting that such a joined-up operation took place on Wednesday which was national Emergency Services Day.