A HILL-walking accident after which a man was airlifted to hospital and motorists stranded on icy rural roads led to call-outs for a mountain rescue team.

Volunteer members of Pendle and Rossendale Mountain Rescue team had a busy afternoon on Thursday dealing with both of the emergencies.

The first incident involved a stricken man who had been out walking on Boulsworth Hill near Trawden.

During his walk he had fallen and broken his leg.

The team attended and assisted paramedics in making the man comfortable.

Later an air ambulance also attended and flew the patient to hospital.

The second incident was on Halifax Road, close to Briercliffe, Burnley. Police had been trying to reach several vehicles halfway up the hill onto the moors.

They were hampered by treacherous road conditions caused caused by sub-zero temperatures.

A spokesman for Pendle and Rossendale Mountain Rescue team said: “Our team dealt with two separate incidents in the Briercliffe and Trawden areas.

“There was a report that an elderly couple had crashed into a ditch at the side of the road.

“Halifax Road was treacherous due to thick ice.

“As a result, our team were requested by the police to drive up the road to make sure that the elderly couple were safe and well.

“We stayed for a little while longer, to help grit the road and rescue the other drivers.”