A large search took place around the Ystradfellte waterfalls. Photo: Jeremy Bolwell CC-BY-SA-2.0

More than 40 mountain rescuers joined a search for a missing teenager in the Brecon Beacons.

Five teams took part in the hunt for the 17-year-old in Waterfalls Country near Ystradfellte.

Three search dogs from Sarda South Wales also joined the operation last week, which involved Central Beacons, Brecon, Western Beacons and Longtown MRTs, and the youth was found shortly before midnight. He was cold and tired and was taken by rescuers to a waiting ambulance.

The callout was one of four in the space of eight days for the Abergavenny-based Longtown Mountain Rescue Team.

The previous Saturday team members went to the aid of two visitors from the Netherlands.

A Longtown MRT spokesperson said: “They were walking a section of the Beacons Way and found the path from 550m high at Crug Mawr blocked by snowdrifts.

“They tried to find an alternative route down the mountain but became lost and as night fell called 999.

“Longtown MRT found the couple near Llanbedr and walked them to safety. They were cold and exhausted but otherwise unharmed and team members drove them to their car which was parked 7km [4 miles] away.”

On Valentine’s Day, the team was called by Gwent Police to help an injured walker near Tintern. The team was assembled at the Abbey Mill, Tintern, and the injured man was airlifted by rescue helicopter to hospital.

The final callout came on Sunday when the team was alerted by police to help an Australian tourist who was lost and exhausted at 646m [2,119ft] Pen Twyn Glas, above Cwmdu.

The man, in his 50s, had been walking from Table Mountain, near Crickhowell, when he became cold, lost and disorientated in low cloud and mist.

He was found by passing walkers who helped him and loaned him extra clothing.

Longtown MRT sent two team runners to reach him and they tended to him until further members of the team reached him.The man was re-warmed and medically assessed on the mountain and then walked down to the team’s incident control vehicle. There the team doctor gave him a final check over to ensure he was fit and well. He was then driven to his car parked 5km [3 miles] away.

Luke Lewis, team leader of Longtown MRT said: “It’s been a busy few days for us, but we’re just pleased that all the rescues have ended successfully.

“All our members are volunteers and are on call 24 hours a day seven days a week. I’d like to pay tribute to their dedication.

“[Sunday’s] rescue took almost four hours but the team members still made it home in time to see the rugby.”