Woman airlifted after mine shaft fall

A woman has been airlifted to hospital in a serious but stable condition after falling down an active mine shaft at Sapphire.

The RACQ CapRescue helicopter was called out to the rural location, west of Emerald, on Friday afternoon.

It is believed the woman in her mid-thirties fell up to nine metres while climbing the shaft ladder.

She suffered spinal, chest and head injuries.

She was initially treated by paramedics who descended into the shaft to reach her.

RACQ crews then worked to remove her from the shaft, using a rescue stretcher, with help from the Queensland Fire Service.

She was airlifted to Rockhampton’s Royal Flying Doctors facility, where she was immediately flown to Brisbane for further treatment.