A climber who was airlifted from the foot of Tryfan after a fall is recovering in hospital.

Ben Halley, 16, of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, tumbled 25m (80ft) after losing his footing while climbing on the Snowdonia mountain. He has a punctured lung, broken ribs and head injuries.

Tryfan 

Rescuers from the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team carried him from the 914m (1,000ft) peak to a waiting helicopter from RAF Valley, which had been unable to reach the accident site because of strong winds and low cloud.

Mr Halley’s stepfather Gary Green said the young man was very strong and was improving quickly. “He has done sports before and a lot of walking and that’s what is bringing him through,” Mr Green said.

The climber was on the mountain’s north ridge, with an experienced party of four when he slipped and fell. Members of his party called the emergency services and volunteers from the Ogwen Valley team, assisted by an RAF MRT from Valley, spent six hours bringing the young man 300m (1,000 ft) down to the waiting aircraft.

The young mountaineer landed on a ledge, which prevented him falling much further. His uncle went to his aid and stayed with him until help arrived. He was airlifted to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor before being transferred to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Rhyl.