The climbers got stuck on the East Face of Tryfan. Photo: Alex Beamer

A mountain rescue team member had to be airlifted to hospital after he slipped and injured his ankle after helping rescue two climbers who were stuck.

The man, a member of the RAF Valley Mountain Rescue Team, was part of a rescue party that went to the aid of the climbers on Tryfan’s East Face on Saturday.

The RAF Valley team responded along with 15 members of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation after the pair called for help about 6.10pm.

A spokesperson for the Ogwen team said: “Two fully equipped friends decided to climb First Pinnacle Rib on the East Face of Tryfan.

“They made steady progress up the route until the Yellow Slab area where they opted for the bypass option.

“Unfortunately they strayed too far to the right on to difficult ground and then one of them began to feel dehydrated and dizzy.

“They decided to call for help while on a safe ledge. Troops from OVMRO and RAF Valley MRT deployed up to the Heather Terrace area with ropes and technical kit, but 22 Squadron [from RAF Valley] was diverted from another job and was able to snatch the pair from the crag.”

But one of the RAF Valley slipped while coming down from the rescue and suffered a painful ankle injury. The spokesperson said: “As the helicopter was still on the ground at Oggie Base it was able to fly straight to the scene, treat the casualty and then fly him straight to hospital for treatment.”