An 86-year-old man has been airlifted to a Newcastle hospital after spending 20 hours in Comboyne State Forest.
He was found upside down in a ravine off Koppin Yarrat Road about 11am today.
It is believed the man had fallen about 10 metres and suffered a suspected fractured skull. He was rescued from the ravine and driven to the local showground before being airlifted to John Hunter Hospital for treatment.
The incident began many hours earlier when a passerby spotted a silver Mitsubishi Lancer bogged off Slaters Road near Upper Lansdowne in the Comboyne State Forest.
Although the man said he did not need help, the woman, concerned for his welfare, contacted police anyway.
When police arrived at the scene to check on the man they found his car locked and unattended. They searched the area but could not find the man.
The search resumed this morning involving local police, Polair, the State Emergency Service and the Volunteer Rescue Association.
About 11am, a police officer from Comboyne patrolling Koppin Yarrat Road noticed an unattended bag. Further down the ravine, he found the elderly man upside down.
