An Indian Air Force special rescue team on Thursday rescued Canadian diplomat, Andrew Norfolk, his injured wife and their three children trapped in snow in Dhauladhar ranges, north of Dharamshala [Images] in Himachal Pradesh [Images], since Wednesday.

A Cheetah helicopter, piloted by Air Commodore Raj Assey, had to winch up the diplomat's wife, Ruth, who sustained head and spinal injuries in a fall while trekking in the snowy ranges.

According to IAF spokesman Wing Commander Sanjeev Sharma, Ruth, after preliminary treatment at Pathankot air base, was flown to Command hospital near Chandigarh. She is now stated to be out of danger.

Norfolk, Ruth and their children -- Alexander, Daniel and Sebastian -- were trapped near the 4,350 metre high Indrahar pass.

The rescue mission was launched on Wednesday evening after an SOS was received from the Canadian high commission in Dharamshala.