A teenager used his AirPods to help rescuers locate him after falling from a mountain in Australia.

Jake McCollum, 18, was on his first solo climb up Mount Walsh in Queensland when he slipped and fell down 262 ft (80 m) on November 30.

He suffered a fracture spine, broken ribs, and head injuries while his phone was smashed from the impact.

Despite his injuries, Jake was able to activate a personal locator beacon that his parents had given him in case of an emergency, immediately alerting authorities.

During a visit to thank his rescuers on January 16, Jake said: 'The wind was knocked out of me, and I remember thinking it was probably all over for me. I did not really think it was survivable.'

Police contacted his mother, who attempted to call his damaged phone, which the lad was able to answer using his Bluetooth earphones.

Jake's parents stayed on the line as a Bundaberg LifeFlight helicopter searched the area where the distress signal was coming from.

However, the signal was bouncing off the rock face, making it difficult to pinpoint his exact location.

LifeFlight aircrew officer Shayne said: 'He was wearing all black, was face down in the mountain's shadow and well-hidden under a thick canopy of foliage.'

Because of this, Jake had to guide them by telling them when the helicopter was flying exactly over him.

Jake said: 'When the helicopter arrived, I thought this is great, but then it went straight past me. I kept saying on the phone that it had gone past me.

'It went back and forth for quite a while before they finally spotted me.'

Footage shows Jake being secured by rescue team members and lifted on a rope to the helicopter on November 30. He was then placed on a stretcher and winched out of the area before being flown to the hospital.

Rescuer Shayne added that the AirPods played a crucial role in saving the teenager.

He said: 'He is a very lucky young man with a good outcome. If his AirPods and phone had not been working, we may not have found him.'