A French hiker was badly injured Wednesday morning after falling 45 metres on a mountain near Vancouver.

The man was climbing the West Lion, part of a mountain range on Vancouver's North Shore, with another person when he slipped and fell at about 10 a.m. PT Wednesday.

Rescue officials say the man was free falling for part of the descent.

The other hiker used his cell phone to call 911.

Tim Jones with North Shore Search and Rescue said his team arrived on scene, along with a doctor and paramedic, several hours later to help the man.

"The patient was sedated and given morphine for his injuries, one of which was a very severe compound fracture in his lower leg," Jones said.

"[It was] one of the worst compound fractures they say they've ever seen. So, this guy was quite badly injured from their point of view."

The injured hiker, who is in his 20s, was airlifted off the mountain on a rope dangling from a helicopter.

He was taken to Vancouver General Hospital.