A 47-year-old Maltese woman suffered spinal injuries and major head trauma after losing control of her sled and falling into a crater on Mount Etna on Sunday.

Despite foggy conditions and heavy snowfall, rescue teams from the Sicilian Alpine and Speleological Rescue (CNSAS) managed to reach the woman, stretcher her out of the Silvestri crater, and transfer her to safety.

She was then taken to Cannizzaro Hospital in Catania for further treatment.

The accident was one of three rescue operations on the same day. A 49-year-old woman from Milazzo fell ill near the upper Silvestri craters, while a woman from Augusta suffered a suspected hand fracture after another sledding accident.

Rescuers, who are stationed on Etna every weekend for prevention and emergency response, worked under dangerous conditions to carry out the operations.

Lovin Malta wishes the woman a speedy recovery

Photos via Sicilian Alpine and Speleological Rescue (CNSAS)