A WOMAN was raced to hospital after her car went off the top of Ditchling Beacon and rolled about 150m.

Emergency services were called to the top of Ditchling Road where it joins on to the steep descent known as Ditchling Bostall just after 2.30am today.

Because it was dark, they spent about 20 minutes trying to find the car, which ended up between the top an 80-degree grassed incline and the village of Westmeston.

It is understood the woman, aged 28, was somehow thrown clear or "ejected" from her black Audi A3 as it plunged down the slope. She was left with multiple injuries.

A paramedic vehicle was parked up nearby and, in a two-and-a-half-hour job, rescuers moved the injured driver to the nearest landing site over rural terrain.

An ambulance spokesman said: "We responded with three cars and an ambulance as it was difficult to locate.

"Because of the difficulties on scene our HART (Hazardous Area Response Team) also responded as specialist equipment was required to reach the patient down the steep incline.

"A 28-year-old woman was found to have been ejected from the vehicle with multiple injuries."

He said a specialist 4x4 vehicle arrived mid-way through the rescue at about 4am to get the woman to an ambulance, which then took her to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

Fire crews from Brighton, Barcombe and Burgess Hill were also in attendance.

The road was re-opened at about 9am.

A Sussex Police spokesman added: "A car was reported to have crashed and rolled 150 metres down a steep bank.

"A 28-year-old woman was released from the vehicle and taken to hospital with cuts and bruises."

Anyone who saw what happened or who may have other information is asked to email collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101, quoting Operation Nautical.