Man falls four metres from rock at swimming spot

A man is in hospital with suspected spinal injuries, after falling four metres from a rock at a popular swimming spot in Far North Queensland.

Emergency crews were called to Crystal Cascades west of Cairns yesterday afternoon, to reports a man had fallen from the rocks.

The 19-year-old's friend Paulo Marsters said he was unable to move after hitting the water.

"When he jumped off the rock he landed into the water but I think he hit his back on the rock."

A rescue chopper was sent to the scene but crews were unable to pull him out due to dangerous conditions.

Queensland Fire and Rescue Services station officer David Lawson said it was a delicate operation.

"Swift water crews and paramedics made access via a boat over to him, they assessed him, the chopper came in and winched two crew members, one of them being a doctor, down," he said.

"It was determined the best course of action was to bring him back over to the roadside in our swift water boat on a spine board ."

The man was taken to Cairns hospital via ambulance in a stable condition.

It's the fourth swift water rescue in the region this year.

Emergency crews have urged visitors and locals to stay safe around waterfalls and streams.