An injured rock climber was rescued after a fall on the Blouberg Mountain near Polokwane in Limpopo, the Mountain Club of South Africa (MCSA) said on Monday.

Rob Thomas, organiser of the MCSA mountain search and rescue team, said the incident occurred on Sunday.

"The climber fell about 25m before his climbing partner held his fall, preventing him from falling all the way to the ground.

"Unfortunately for the climber he hit the rocks on the way down which totally destroyed his helmet and left him hanging upside-down and unconscious, 30m above the ground."

Other climbers summoned help and lowered the fallen climber some 30m down to a 10m-wide ledge where first aid was administered.

He was taken to Unitas hospital with broken ribs and a fractured pelvis.

Thomas described his condition as being critical but stable.

Sapa