An 18-year-old has been seriously injured after falling several metres near El Médano in southern Tenerife.

Emergency services were called to Punta del Bocinegro, close to Montaña Roja in Granadilla de Abona, at around 1.30am yesterday (Monday). The teenager suffered multiple injuries and was unable to leave the area without assistance.

Rescuers faced difficult conditions as the tide was rising and approaching the spot where he had landed.

A Maritime Rescue helicopter crew winched the teenager to safety and flew him to Tenerife South Airport. A nurse accompanied him during the flight because of the severity of his injuries.

He was then transferred by a medical helicopter to the University Hospital of the Canary Islands for further treatment.

Firefighters from Las Chafiras, paramedics, Guardia Civil officers and a doctor from the San Isidro health centre also attended the incident.

The Guardia Civil is investigating the circumstances of the fall, with attempted suicide among the possibilities being considered.