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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
Wales Online
12-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
'Lost and friendless' man found wandering on Eryri mountain
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 walker was plunged into a nightmare when a day-out in the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia) spun out of control. He had set off with two friends to climb Y Garn, a 3,107ft peak that offers epic panoramas of the national park. They'd planned to climb the mountain via Twll Du ('Black Hole'), known as Devil's Kitchen in English. But on the ascent, one man decided the walk was too much and he told his friends he would rest and return to the car. After having a rest, and feeling better, he changed his mind, walking briskly in an attempt to gain ground on his friends. He managed to catch up with who he believed were his friends, only to be in for a nasty surprise. Soon his day would go from bad to worse as night descended. Ultimately, he had to call in the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation (OVMRO). The team said: '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.' Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community An OVMRO rescue party was already on the mountain, having been called out to help two climbers stuck Glyder Fawr. They were heading back to base only to be diverted to the 'friendless walker', who by now was stranded in a precarious position. (Image: OVMRO) A OVMRO spokesperson said: '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.' The two incidents, on Saturday, May 3, marked the start of a hectic five-day period in which the team received six call-outs, with two of them handed to other agencies. That day saw the team deploy at 10.50am and finish at 2am the following morning. Other incidents last week included a call-out to Abergwyngregyn on Tuesday evening, May 6. A walker had followed his dog down steep ground into the river, hurting his leg on rocks. After calling for help, his iPhone satellite SOS was used to locate his position and a multi-agency search was launched. An OVMRO team was able to raise him back to safe ground where he was attended to by paramedics. The following day, the rescue team was back at Twll Du to help an walker who'd taken a nasty tumble. While descending with a large rucksack, they'd tripped and fallen 10 metres (33ft), sustaining a head injury. OVMRO said: '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 walker was lifted onto a Coastguard rescue helicopter before being taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday Find out what's happening near you
North Wales Live
12-05-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
'Lost and friendless' man found wandering on Eryri mountain
A walker was plunged into a nightmare when a day-out in the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia) spun out of control. He had set off with two friends to climb Y Garn, a 3,107ft peak that offers epic panoramas of the national park. They'd planned to climb the mountain via Twll Du ('Black Hole'), known as Devil's Kitchen in English. But on the ascent, one man decided the walk was too much and he told his friends he would rest and return to the car. After having a rest, and feeling better, he changed his mind, walking briskly in an attempt to gain ground on his friends. He managed to catch up with who he believed were his friends, only to be in for a nasty surprise. Soon his day would go from bad to worse as night descended. Ultimately, he had to call in the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation (OVMRO). The team said: '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.' An OVMRO rescue party was already on the mountain, having been called out to help two climbers stuck Glyder Fawr. They were heading back to base only to be diverted to the 'friendless walker', who by now was stranded in a precarious position. A OVMRO spokesperson said: '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.' The two incidents, on Saturday, May 3, marked the start of a hectic five-day period in which the team received six call-outs, with two of them handed to other agencies. That day saw the team deploy at 10.50am and finish at 2am the following morning. Other incidents last week included a call-out to Abergwyngregyn on Tuesday evening, May 6. A walker had followed his dog down steep ground into the river, hurting his leg on rocks. After calling for help, his iPhone satellite SOS was used to locate his position and a multi-agency search was launched. An OVMRO team was able to raise him back to safe ground where he was attended to by paramedics. The following day, the rescue team was back at Twll Du to help an walker who'd taken a nasty tumble. While descending with a large rucksack, they'd tripped and fallen 10 metres (33ft), sustaining a head injury. OVMRO said: '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.'
North Wales Live
04-05-2025
- Health
- North Wales Live
Walker airlifted to hospital after fall amid string of Eryri incidents
A walker fell and suffered suspected spinal injuries on one of North Wales' most treacherous peaks. The casualty had to be airlifted from 917-metre (3,010ft) Tryfan to hospital. It was one of several incidents Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation (OVMRO) have had to deal with in recent days. They took to Facebook yesterday to post about the Tryfan faller and other call-outs which took place on the challenging mountain last weekend. A spokesman said on Facebook: "Saturday and Sunday both saw a return to Tryfan for the team where we've now had 40% of this years callouts." Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday In the shout on Saturday, April 26, they wrote: "While ascending Tryfan, a member of a group fell a short distance and lost consciousness for several minutes. @hm_coastgaurduk Rescue helicopter from Caernarfon was requested and was able to drop the winchman on scene. "(Two) team members were flown up to assist moving the casualty as spinal injuries were suspected. The casualty was winched aboard and taken to @ygedbangor and their friends helped down by the team." The following day on Saturday, April 27, OVMRO were called out to the same mountain again. The rescuers posted: "After summiting Tryfan, a walker tripped and fell, landing between 2 boulders and suffered a suspected fractured forearm. "(Two) off duty team members climbing on the east face made their way to the summit and met the casualty, placed him in a harness, and started to assist him down to meet the ascending cas (casualty) care party. Once on scene, the casualty was given strong analgesia, and his arm imobilised in a vaccuum splint, given warm clothing, and a @blizzardsurvivalproducts jacket. "The group was then helped down along with the assistance of the stretcher party from @rafmountainrescueservice team from @royalairforcevalley Once back at Ogwen Cottage, the casualty made their own way to hospital, thanks as always to our colleagues from the RAF MRS for all their help." Last week North Wales Live reported on other incidents on Tryfan. A ten-year-old boy was airlifted to hospital after plunging ten metres (33ft) there. The youngster and his father were climbing Tryfan in the Glyderau range in Eryri (Snowdonia) above the Ogwen Valley. The incident was one of four rescues on the peak over the Easter weekend. At that point in time, it meant that Tryfan had accounted for 38% of the 49 call-outs made in 2025 by (OVMRO). There have now been 51.
