Two Sydney men were part of a group on an abseiling adventure in Warrumbungles National Park when a 21-year-old fell several metres and injured his head on Sunday afternoon.

The man, who was knocked unconscious for a short time, remained on a ledge about 160 metres above the ground with a friend, while three others abseiled down the cliff face to raise the alarm.

The remote and rugged terrain hampered rescue efforts on Sunday night but the Newcastle-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter managed to hover over the top of the mountain about 10.30pm as a doctor and two paramedics jumped off.

“These people set off an EPIRB on Sunday night signalling they were in trouble, after one of them had fallen about five metres and sustained a head injury,” ambulance incident controller, Inspector Ray Tait, told The Leader. “Paramedics camped overnight, with both of them assisted by police and the Volunteer Rescue Association.”

The Tamworth-based helicopter then worked as a spotter to find the paramedics on Monday morning, before a line-haul rescue operation was launched, to move the patient and his friend to the top of the mountain before they were flown to safety.

The 21-year-old man suffered a head injury and his friend was treated for mild hypothermia. 

Both were flown to Tamworth hospital in a stable condition for observation.

Inspector Tait said the location made it a difficult and long extrication, with the SES called in to help refuel both aircrafts at Coonabarabran airport. 

“Safety has to come into play – and the safety of the rescuers is paramount as well as the people they are rescuing,” he said.

“All police, Ambulance, VRA, National Parks and Wildlife and the helicopters also worked cohesively to effect the extrication and did a very good job without incident.”