A 41-year-old man is in hospital with serious head injuries after falling six metres while rock-climbing near Yi O.

The man, surnamed Chan, was rescued by a helicopter and sent to hospital on Saturday afternoon, according to a Ming Pao report.

Chan, an experienced rock and canyon climber, went alone to the foot of the Shui Lo Chu Stream, near the so-called infinity pool. The Hong Kong Mountaineering Association rates it a grade 4 in degree of difficulty.

Chan fell, suffering serious head wounds, and was rescued by a passing Water Supplies Department patrol. They called a Government Flying Service helicopter which airlifted him to hospital.

The Shui Lo Cho pool is a popular but illicit tourist attraction. The watercourse supplies Tai O’s drinking water. Tourists who swim in the pool risk a penalty of a $50,000 fine and up to two years’ jail.