The RACQ CQ Rescue chopper has had a busy Friday.
The chopper was on its way to Proserpine to transport a patient to Mackay Base Hospital when they were diverted to Whitehaven Beach to retrieve an injured tourist.
It is understood the 31-year-old Victorian woman had climbed over a safety barrier at a look out in order to take a photo of Whitehaven Beach when she lost her balance and fell to the rocks below.
The chopper winched a paramedic and rescue crew down to the woman where she was treated for a severe head gash and other cuts and abrasions before being winched back into the helicopter.
The helicopter then took the woman for treatment to Proserpine Hospital and were then able to collect the original patient and take him to Mackay Base Hospital.
The chopper arrived at Whitsunday Island at 12.30pm and completed their run with the second patient and returned to base in about 90 minutes.