A Mexican woman was left dangling on a border wall and had to be rescued by US officials after being abandoned by smugglers.

The 37-year-old was pictured hanging helplessly in a harness on the 15ft wall after being hoisted over from Mexico, over into Nogales, Arizona, by smugglers on Saturday night.

When border patrol agents approached, the men trying to lower her on to the other side ran away in fear, leaving her stuck there.

A 37-year-old Mexican woman was left hanging by people smugglers on the border wall at Nogales, Arizona, on Saturday

She tried to climb back over herself but couldn't without their help and was left with no other choice but to let the US officials cut her down and take her for questioning.

She was uninjured and is now being processed for questioning, a US Customs and Protection spokesman said.

The smugglers trying to help her sneak in to the country were not arrested or identified.

Nogales in Arizona sits directly opposite a town by the same name in Mexico. They are often referred to as 'Ambos Nogales' or 'Both Nogales'.

There is a border crossing point where tourists can walk through turnstiles to the other country.

The wall is made of rusted steel and its bars have large gaps between them.

It has been scaled by scores of others in the past including teenagers who have simply jumped over it and managed to evade border officials.

Nogales fire fighters rescued the woman and she was taken for processing