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Wales Online
6 days ago
- General
- Wales Online
Paraglider injured after crashing on Welsh mountain
Paraglider injured after crashing on Welsh mountain The paraglider was in mountainous terrain when they crashed and suffered serious injuries after a 'hard' landing Summit cairn on Moel Wnion (Image: Chris Andrews/Wiki) A paraglider sustained severe injuries following a crash in mountainous terrain within Eryri National Park (Snowdonia). The pilot was transported to hospital by air ambulance after experiencing a "hard" landing close to Moel Wnion in the lower Carneddau mountain range. The Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation (OVMRO) reported the paraglider encountered difficulties following a significant malfunction with their equipment. Despite sustaining serious injuries the casualty managed to raise the alarm. Moel Wnion, standing at 1,903ft between Llanlechid and Abergwyngregyn, Gwynedd, is considered to offer "excellent soaring" conditions for hang gliders and paragliders. Its relatively flat summit makes it a popular training location for beginner pilots. Gliding organisation Snowdonia Sky Sports said: "Moel Wnion is a very forgiving site by local standards and offers great ridge soaring with good opportunities to hone those top-landing skills." Information about the incident, which occurred on Monday, July 21, has recently come to light. Seventeen OVMRO volunteers responded to the emergency, staying at the location for more than three hours, reports NorthWalesLive. Given the isolated position and the extent of the injuries Coastguard rescue helicopter 936 was deployed from Caernarfon airport. Helimed 61, a Wales Air Ambulance helicopter also based at Caernarfon, was placed on alert should additional assistance be required. An OVMRO spokesman said: "A paraglider flying close to Moel Wnion experienced a significant problem with their wing and impacted the ground hard, sustaining serious injuries but able to call for help." They added: "Local team members were quickly on scene with Rescue 936. (They) assessed and treated the casualty before packaging them for a stretcher move to the aircraft that had landed a short distance away. Article continues below "The casualty was transferred to Ysbyty Gwynedd for treatment."
Wales Online
6 days ago
- General
- Wales Online
Paraglider airlifted to hospital with 'serious injuries' after crashing near Eryri peak
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A paraglider suffered serious injuries when crashing in mountainous terrain in Eryri National Park (Snowdonia). The pilot was airlifted to hospital after making a 'hard' landing near Moel Wnion in the lower Carneddau mountain range. According to the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation (OVMRO), the paraglider got into difficulty after experiencing a major problem with their aircraft. Despite the severity of the injuries, the casualty was able to call for help. Moel Wnion, a 1,903ft peak between Llanlechid and Abergwyngregyn, Gwynedd, is regarded as providing 'excellent soaring' for hang gliders and paragliders. With a flattish top, it is a training ground for novice pilots. Gliding club Snowdonia Sky Sports said: 'Moel Wnion is a very forgiving site by local standards and offers great ridge soaring with good opportunities to hone those top-landing skills.' Details have recently emerged of last month's crash, which occurred on Monday, July 21. Seventeen OVMRO team members were called to the incident, remaining on scene for more than three hours. Due to the remote location and the nature of the injuries, Coastguard rescue helicopter 936 was also summoned from Caernarfon airport. Helimed 61, a Wales Air Ambulance helicopter also operating from Caernarfon, was put on standby in case further support was needed. An OVMRO spokesperson said: 'A paraglider flying close to Moel Wnion experienced a significant problem with their wing and impacted the ground hard, sustaining serious injuries but able to call for help." Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community OVMRO added: 'Local team members were quickly on scene with Rescue 936. (They) assessed and treated the casualty before packaging them for a stretcher move to the aircraft that had landed a short distance away. 'The casualty was transferred to Ysbty Gwynedd for treatment.' Tryfan hikers 'ignored advice' By July 21, the team had already carried out 105 deployments this year. Two days after the paraglider rescue, the team was twice called out again to deal with groups of hikers whose members were experiencing vertigo and anxiety episodes. One of the two parties ignored advice when they became stranded on steep ground on Tryfan, having begun to descend via the mountain's north ridge. The five-strong group phoned for help when one of them suffered an anxiety attack. As the group had no navigation equipment, head torches or warm equipment, they were advised to remain where they were and wait for a rescue party to join them. They took no notice. An OVMRO spokesperson said: 'The group phoned back stating they couldn't wait for a hill party and, despite firm advice to remain stationary due to proximity of dangerous terrain, the group initially ignored advice and moved. 'The team leader attempted to provide navigational advice which was not followed by the group. After further strong words of advice, they remained stationary.' Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox After climbing down from the north ridge, a rescue party located the group's members, who were warmed up and walked off the mountain. Nine OVMRO team members were involved in the four-hour rescue. Find out what's happening near you
North Wales Live
6 days ago
- General
- North Wales Live
Paraglider airlifted to hospital with 'serious injuries' after crashing near Eryri peak
A paraglider suffered serious injuries when crashing in mountainous terrain in Eryri National Park (Snowdonia). The pilot was airlifted to hospital after making a 'hard' landing near Moel Wnion in the lower Carneddau mountain range. According to the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation (OVMRO), the paraglider got into difficulty after experiencing a major problem with their aircraft. Despite the severity of the injuries, the casualty was able to call for help. Moel Wnion, a 1,903ft peak between Llanlechid and Abergwyngregyn, Gwynedd, is regarded as providing 'excellent soaring' for hang gliders and paragliders. With a flattish top, it is a training ground for novice pilots. Gliding club Snowdonia Sky Sports said: 'Moel Wnion is a very forgiving site by local standards and offers great ridge soaring with good opportunities to hone those top-landing skills.' Details have recently emerged of last month's crash, which occurred on Monday, July 21. Seventeen OVMRO team members were called to the incident, remaining on scene for more than three hours. Due to the remote location and the nature of the injuries, Coastguard rescue helicopter 936 was also summoned from Caernarfon airport. Helimed 61, a Wales Air Ambulance helicopter also operating from Caernarfon, was put on standby in case further support was needed. An OVMRO spokesperson said: 'A paraglider flying close to Moel Wnion experienced a significant problem with their wing and impacted the ground hard, sustaining serious injuries but able to call for help." Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community OVMRO added: 'Local team members were quickly on scene with Rescue 936. (They) assessed and treated the casualty before packaging them for a stretcher move to the aircraft that had landed a short distance away. 'The casualty was transferred to Ysbty Gwynedd for treatment.' Tryfan hikers 'ignored advice' By July 21, the team had already carried out 105 deployments this year. Two days after the paraglider rescue, the team was twice called out again to deal with groups of hikers whose members were experiencing vertigo and anxiety episodes. One of the two parties ignored advice when they became stranded on steep ground on Tryfan, having begun to descend via the mountain's north ridge. The five-strong group phoned for help when one of them suffered an anxiety attack. As the group had no navigation equipment, head torches or warm equipment, they were advised to remain where they were and wait for a rescue party to join them. They took no notice. An OVMRO spokesperson said: 'The group phoned back stating they couldn't wait for a hill party and, despite firm advice to remain stationary due to proximity of dangerous terrain, the group initially ignored advice and moved. 'The team leader attempted to provide navigational advice which was not followed by the group. After further strong words of advice, they remained stationary.' Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox After climbing down from the north ridge, a rescue party located the group's members, who were warmed up and walked off the mountain. Nine OVMRO team members were involved in the four-hour rescue.
Wales Online
29-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Moment injured climber rescued by helicopter after fall on Welsh mountain
Moment injured climber rescued by helicopter after fall on Welsh mountain An Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation statement said members were called after the climber fell in the early hours of Saturday, leading to a dramatic rescue operation Man winched on board helicopter after serious head injury A climber was airlifted from a Snowdonia mountain after suffering a "serious head injury" following a fall on Saturday morning. The injured individual was flown by a Coastguard helicopter to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor for treatment. The Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation said in a statement: "Two climbers set off at 9am on Friday morning to climb Y Gulley and V-Cleft, 20 pitches, and 12 hours later, they topped out and started to descend but only had 1 torch so struggled to make progress. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Man winched on board helicopter after serious head injury "At 4.20am, they were only 15 minutes from the road when one fell approximately three metres and, despite still wearing their helmet, suffered a serious head injury. "Team members accessed the casualties and administered first aid, placed the injured climber in a vacuum mattress and stretcher, and lowered them to a helicopter winching point. [The coastguard helicopter] then lifted the casualty to [Ysbyty Gwynedd]. The remaining climber was brought to base to be warmed up." Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation at the scene after a climber was injured following a fall on Tryfan (Image: OVMRO ) This was just one of several calls the rescue organisation received over the Bank Holiday weekend. On the same day, a walker called for assistance when they became lost trying to descend Pen Yr Ole Wen, reports North Wales Live. Sarloc Rescue/Phonefind was used to confirm their location and a hill party located them and helped them down to the roadside. On Sunday two walkers, soaked and shivering, requested assistance while attempting to descend from Carnedd Llewelyn's summit in harsh conditions, as they struggled to find their way. Later that day, the rescue team was alerted to another walker in distress. According to an OVMRO statement: "Two friends set off to climb Tryfan, but one felt they were out of their depth and wanted to turn round. "The other friend decided to continue and left their mate to descend alone. "After struggling into steeper terrain, the abandoned friend eventually called for help when they became stuck. Article continues below "Three team members walked up to the casualty and used a confidence rope to guide them back to safe ground before leading them down to be reunited with their friend." The statement concluded: "Better planning could have helped all our casualties this weekend, checking guide books, weather forecasts, taking torches, and making sure you are up to the intended route should be considered."
Wales Online
12-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Man abandoned by walking friends in mountains - then it gets even worse
Man abandoned by walking friends in mountains - then it gets even worse The man was climbing with two friends when he decided to turn back - but when he changed his mind and caught up with who he thought were his pals, he was in for a surprise A walker trekking the Y Garn ended up getting stranded on a small ledge after he was separated from his friends (Image: OVMRO ) A hiker's day out in the Eryri (Snowdonia) mountains took a terrifying turn when his adventure spiralled into chaos. He and his two friends had embarked on a climb up Y Garn, a 3,107ft peak renowned for its sweeping views of the national park. Their route was via Twll Du, also known as "Devil's Kitchen" in English. However, during the ascent, one of the men found the trek too strenuous and decided to rest before heading back to their vehicle. After recuperating, he felt rejuvenated and chose to resume the climb, hoping to catch up with his friends. He eventually reached a group he assumed were his companions, only to be met with an unpleasant surprise. After the crew found the man, they guided him back to his friends (Image: OVMRO ) As night fell, his situation worsened drastically, leading him to seek help from the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation (OVMRO). North Wales Live reports the team recounted: "He caught up with his 'friends', only it wasn't them.... nor the second group he caught up with either! Now lost and friendless, he decided to descend but strayed onto steep ground and became stuck." Article continues below An OVMRO rescue team was already present on the mountain, having been summoned to assist two climbers stuck on Glyder Fawr. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here They were enroute back to base when they were redirected to aid the lone walker, who was now trapped in a precarious position. An OVMRO spokesperson recounted the incident, noting: "The descending hill party changed direction and found him on a small ledge. "They made him safe, gave him a torch and raised him to safe ground before guiding him down to his friends." This rescue was part of two distressing events on Saturday, May 3, which heralded a busy five days for the OVMRO. During this period, the team had to respond to six call-outs, two of which were delegated to other services. That particularly busy day saw the OVMRO team in action from 10.50am until the early hours of 2am the next morning. Last week also included a response to an emergency near Abergwyngregyn on Tuesday evening, May 6. In this incident, a hiker was injured chasing after his dog down a steep slope into a riverbed, suffering leg injuries against the rocky terrain. After calling for help, the satellite SOS feature on his iPhone was used, which contributed to a quick coordinate lock and the initiation of a multi-agency rescue effort. The walker was hoisted to safer ground by the OVMRO team and subsequently cared for by paramedics. On the following day, another incident demanded the team's expertise at Twll Du after a walker experienced a severe fall. The person involved tripped while carrying a large rucksack, plummeting downwards approximately 10 metres (33ft), resulting in a head wound. OVMRO elaborated: "The casualty was found and treated by team casualty carers and placed in a stretcher before being moved to a suitable location for winching up." The injured individual was then air-lifted onto a Coastguard helicopter and transported to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor for further medical attention. Article continues below
