A 17-year-old student was placed in an induced coma after falling 75 metres down a cliff while on a school excursion at The Tops Conference Centre, Stanwell Tops, yesterday afternoon.

The youth, from Southern Cross Catholic Vocational College in Burwood, was conscious and responsive when police rescue officers  arrived on the scene.

Paramedics received a triple-0 call notifying them of the incident about 2.50pm.

Abseiling instructors attached to The Tops Conference Centre were the first to reach the  student, before special operations team paramedics arrived. 

Dense bushland hampered the rescue, and a NSW Ambulance spokeswoman said the youth could not be seen until centre instructors abseiled down the cliff.

Wollongong police acting inspector Dan Richardson said the student had suffered head injuries, a fractured arm and had possible breathing difficulties when emergency services first arrived on the scene.

Initial reports suggested the cliff was around 75 metres high.

The ambulance helicopter was used to winch the youth to safety and fly him to St George Hospital about 5.50pm.

The Tops Conference Centre’s website describes the venue as a ‘‘God honouring Christian venue’’ offering conferencing facilities, camping, ministry experiences and instructor-led activities like abseiling and high ropes courses.

A security guard was posted outside the centre while the emergency response was carried out.

It is not clear what led to the youth falling.