The mountains in the Brecon Beacons have attracted numerous visitors during the half-term holiday. Photo: Brecom MRT

Mountain rescuers were involved in three separate incidents in one afternoon where walkers got caught out by icy conditions on south Wales’s highest mountain.

Brecon Mountain Rescue Team warned Pen y Fan and its neighbouring peak Corn Du have compacted ice on their paths.

The mountains in the Brecon Beacons national park are attracting many visitors and, while the car parks from which walkers set off are free of snow and ice, freezing conditions mean the tops are in winter condition.

The team was called out on Tuesday to aid a woman who fell while coming down from Pen y Fan at lunchtime. Colleagues from the Central Beacons and Longtown teams joined the Brecon team in the rescue.

A Brecon MRT spokesperson said: “The lady had fallen in snowy, icy conditions and sustained a lower leg injury.

“Rescuers administered first aid then stretchered her off from just below Bwlch Duwynt down to Pont ar Daf and a waiting county ambulance.”

While rescuers were treating the woman, another casualty presented himself to them with a suspected broken arm, also sustained from a fall. “The gentleman’s arm was splinted then he was walked of the hill by a mountain rescuer,” the spokesperson said.

“As the team were assisting the first casualty on to the stretcher another call was passed to them from Gwent Police.

“A lady descending from Pen y Fan was reported to be unwell and in need of assistance. A party was dispatched and the lady, suffering from hypothermia, quickly located.

“She was assessed by rescuers with, much appreciated, help of a passing doctor from Bristol’s Southmead Hospital, and was then helped off the hill.”

The setting-off points for walkers are free of snow. Photo: Brecon MRT

The Brecon team warned hillgoers in the national park to be prepared for conditions on the mountains, which rise to a height of 886m (2,907ft).

The spokesperson said: “As it is half-term the paths up to the twin summits of Pen y Fan and Corn Du are very busy and the sheer number of people compacting the remaining snow on the paths has caused them to become treacherously icy and dangerous.

“The temperature on the hill is frequently falling into minus figures and falling further when windchill is taken into account.

“Mountain rescue personnel where able to confidently cross the treacherous paths wearing crampons. If you do venture out on the hill please stay safe by ensuring you have appropriate footwear, equipment for the conditions and plenty of warm clothing.”