An operation is under way today to rescue a female British researcher taking part in an expedition to a remote area of eastern Russia.

Rescue teams were alerted last night when a satellite beacon was activated by Dr Markus Eichhorn, an ecology lecturer from Nottingham University who is heading the nine-strong research team into forestry biology at Kamchatka Nature Park. The party includes Russian scientists and four British nationals.

The emergency signal from the sophisticated 406 beacon was picked up by a satellite and beamed to the UK Mission Control Centre at RAF Kinloss in Morayshire, 3,700 miles away.

RAF Corporal Keri Richmond, the duty mission controller, immediately contacted her Russian counterpart to raise the alarm. Rescuers have been told that one of the British members of the party, believed to be 20-year-old zoology student Kimberley Warren, has a fractured leg after falling from her horse in a remote forest.

The Russian rescue operation is being hampered by severe weather conditions. It is not yet known if a rescue helicopter will be able to reach the party or if the rescue will be carried out on the ground.

Other British members of the team are listed on the internet as Timothy Kell, 19, a biology student, and Joe Wright, 19, who is studying genetics.

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