Woman seriously injured after fall from waterfall

File photo / NZ Herald

A woman has suffered serious injuries after falling from the top of a waterfall at Whakatane.

Police were called at around midday when a member of the public saw the 41-year-old woman in a precarious position on a cliff at the Wairaka Falls, Whakatane.

Police and rescue volunteers tried to reach the woman however she fell about 15 metres into a pool halfway down the falls.

Police said she was acting in an irrational manner before she fell.

Rescuers had to abseil down the cliff to reach the woman, and police said her behaviour made it difficult for them to retrieve her safely.

She was lowered to the foot of the falls in a rescue basket where paramedics could treat her.

The ordeal lasted around three hours.

The woman is known to police and was taken to hospital by ambulance.

Police said she suffered from mental health issues.