A WOMAN in her eighties was airlifted to hospital from a fort in the Solent after falling and broke her arm.

A lifeboat crew also rushed to No Man's Land Fort last night after the 81-year-old fell while on the island's luxury 23 bed hotel.

Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) were called to the fort shortly after 11pm.

Three volunteer crew members, including a Hampshire ambulance paramedic, were placed on board the fort to assist the casualty.

UK Coastguard also sent its search and rescue helicopter, Rescue 175, based at Lee-on-the-Solent, to transfer the woman to hospital in Portsmouth.

GAFIRS Lifeboat senior helm Brian Pack said:“We were quickly on scene at the fort and we placed our crew members on board to assist.

“Our paramedic crew member and the team were able to administer the necessary treatment, including pain-killing drugs, until Rescue 175 was able to take her to hospital.

“Incidents such as this show the importance of the work an independent lifeboat, like GAFIRS, does in the Solent.

"The helicopter pilots did an amazing job and their skill is to be applauded.

“We’re very proud to be able to help and wish the injured woman a speedy recovery.”