Challenging rescue under way for injured hiker at summit of Bluff Knoll in Stirling Range National Park

A challenging rescue for an injured hiker is under way at the summit of Bluff Knoll in Stirling Range National Park this afternoon.

Emergency services received a call about 2pm when it was reported a woman in her 30s had fallen while hiking, sustaining a possible fractured ankle.

The RAC rescue helicopter has been deployed and is due to arrive at 4.20pm.

It is understood the helicopter will be used to winch the hiker off the mountain.

SES volunteers and firefighters from Albany, Mt Barker and Gnowangerup have been sent to the area to help with the rescue.

A St John Ambulance spokeswoman said the hiker was in a “very tricky spot”.

After the initial call, St John Ambulance officers determined they needed assistance to get to the injured person who was an estimated two hours from the Bluff Knoll carpark.

A DFES spokeswoman said it was set to be “long extraction”.

The peak of Bluff Knoll rises 1099m above sea level.

The mountain’s popularity has reached new heights since the rebuilt trail was reopened in May last year.

Sections of the previous trail were damaged by a fire which tore through 40,000 hectare of the national park in late 2019 and early 2020.