A MOUNTAIN rescue team was called to help a seriously injured biker after he crashed in a field.

Ambulance staff called for backup after the rider fell off a motocross bike in a field near the Ram Inn, in Burnley Road, Cliviger.

The man, in his 30s, suffered injuries to his back and was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital.

A spokeswoman for the North West Ambulance Service said a rapid response vehicle had been called to the scene at around 6.40pm on Thursday.

Volunteers from Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team were then called to the field as the paramedics had difficulty getting the injured man back to their vehicle from the crash scene on the bank of the River Calder.

A spokesman praised the team after they had to carry the man to safety during a torrential downpour.

He said: “We were called out shortly after 7pm by the North West Ambulance Service to an area in Cliviger used by motocross riders.

“One rider had fallen from his bike and sustained suspected spinal injuries.

“Upon arrival at the scene, the ambulance rapid response vehicle paramedic was administering pain relief and treating the casualty.

“He was quickly joined by our doctor and paramedic while the rest of the team prepared the route for evacuation.

“The route was down a steep sided gully with a slippery stream bed in the bottom.

“We passed the stretcher hand to hand down the steep parts until we could walk with it to the waiting ambulance.”