Cwm Cneifion. Photo: Mike White

A man has died after falling 70m (230ft) while scrambling in north Wales.

The incident happened about 3pm yesterday, Saturday, on the Glyderau in the Ogwen Valley. The man, in his 60s, was flown to hospital but later died.

The fall occurred on Cwm Cneifion when the man was with a group scrambling in the area.

Chris Lloyd of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation said his team was already dealing with a fellrunner who had suffered injuries on the northern slopes of Yr Elen in the Carneddau.

Mr Lloyd said: “We received a second call for a fallen man in Cwm Cneifion above Cwm Idwal. This 61-year-old man was with a large group of his fellow mountaineering club colleagues.

“They had just started climbing up the classic scramble called Cneifion Arête. They were roped up for the first steep but short pitch. He decided that this might be too challenging and walked to a loose gully to the left of the arête and made his way up.

“For reasons unknown at present, he lost balance or footing and handhold and he fell about 70m (230ft). The Ogwen MRT team leader immediately diverted the helicopter to this incident.

“There were members of RAF Valley Mountain Rescue Team training in the vicinity and they were tasked to move to this incident. Ogwen troops gathered at their base ready for air lifting. As it was, the helicopter made a quick winch and rushed the gentleman to Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor.

“Sadly, he died shortly afterwards.”

A spokesman for North Wales Police said: “The family has been informed.

“The male was out scrambling in the area with an organised group and was an experienced climber.”

Cwm Cneifion is popular with both climbers and scramblers. Cneifion Arête, on the western side of the cwm, is one of the best known routes, classed as a moderate rock climb.

The earlier incident involved a 60-year-old fellrunner who tripped over a hidden rock on the lower slopes of Yr Elen. The Ogwen Valley team had requested a helicopter evacuation by 22 Squadron of RAF Valley rather than face a 3km stretcher carry of the man who suffered a serious gash of his knee.

However, because the Sea King was diverted to the more seriously injured scrambler 7km 4(miles) to the south, he was eventually carried out to the OVMRO Land Rover.

Mr Lloyd said: “This casualty was surprised to observe that one of the stretcher bearers – and Ogwen member – had passed him much earlier in race as one of the runners and was now rescuing him.”

Four members of the team finally moved up to the cwm at Cneifion to carry out the fatal incident investigation. Mr Lloyd said: “Using equipment and training provided by North Wales Police, team members investigate fatal accidents and prepare a report for the coroner.

“They follow this up by attending the Coroner’s Court, giving evidence and answering questions from both the coroner and relatives and friends of the deceased.”

• The Daily Post named the man killed in Cwm Cneifon as ex-headteacher Llew ap Gwent of Llanuwchllyn.