Ambulance officers from Cessnock went to a property off Tuckers Lane after midday where they treated a 55-year-old woman for torn skin and muscle injuries to her lower leg.

“Bleeding from the wound had virtually stopped, so we bound the patient’s injuries and gave her pain relief,’’ an ambulance spokesman said.

“But it was clear she needed urgent attention for her muscular injuries, so the rescue helicopter was alerted.’’

Ambulance officers carried the woman to a nearby clearing where the helicopter landed shortly afterwards.

“The patient was injured after she fell through the floorboards of a verandah at a house near the landing site,’’ a Westpac Rescue Helicopter spokesman said.

“She was loaded aboard the helicopter minutes after it had touched down.’’

A doctor attended the woman during the flight to John Hunter Hospital, where it landed about seven minutes later.