Pen Yr Ole Wen. Photo: Eric Jones CC-BY-SA-2.0

A man was airlifted from a Snowdonia mountain after breaking his arm.

An RAF Sea King helicopter crew braved strong winds and low cloud to drop a winchman on to Pen Yr Ole Wen to help mountain rescuers who were treating the Cheshire man.

He and another man, also from Cheshire were scrambling up the south face of the mountain today when he slipped and injured himself.

Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation was alerted at 1pm and three members of the team made their way to the site. The team also requested help from 22 Squadron’s search and rescue helicopter at RAF Valley.

Chris Lloyd of the rescue team said: “After heavy showers in the morning, the rocks were greasy. At about two-thirds the way up, the casualty slipped on a greasy rock and put his arm out to save his fall.

“Sadly, he broke his humerus – a repeat injury.

“The team members administered pain relief and first aid, while a stretcher party was dispatched from Oggi Base to join them.

“Meanwhile, despite a strong wind, the Sea King helicopter managed to creep in below the cloud covered tops to winch the winchman to the casualty.

“The helicopter returned to Oggi Base whilst the casualty was prepared for a lift.

“The helicopter was then able to winch the casualty to fly him to Bangor. Meanwhile, his colleague walked down with team members.”

Mr Lloyd said the injury was the just the result of an unfortunate slip. 17 volunteer team members were involved in the rescue

The team was also called out yesterday after a walker reported about 2.45pm he had gashed his knee near Marchlyn Mawr and asked for help.

Mr Lloyd said: “A couple of team members drove up but the casualty managed to get to his car without assistance from the mountain rescue team by 3.40pm.”