The Wales Air Ambulance at the scene of the Blue Lake incident. Photo: Aberdyfi SRT

A rescue team member has spoken of the difficulties faced by volunteers after their involvement in two fatal incidents.

Graham O’Hanlon of Aberdyfi Search and Rescue Team said dealing with the recoveries of the fatalities was challenging, physically and mentally.

The team was involved in a search for a missing person in an around Aberystwyth, spending long days searching scrubland and wooded areas on Sunday and Thursday. The team was joined by Brecon Mountain Rescue Team and officers from Dyfed-Powys Police in the operation.

A body was found late on Thursday afternoon.

On Wednesday, team members joined North Wales Police and Welsh Ambulance Service paramedics in the recovery of a young woman killed in a fall at the Blue Lake near Fairbourne, in the South-West of the Snowdonia national park.

Mr O’Hanlon, who was present at both incidents, said: “It has been a challenging few days for the team, both physically and mentally.

“As an organisation consisting entirely of volunteers, these difficult deployments are a timely reminder that we owe our gratitude to the often unsung individuals who enable us to operate as we do.

“It would be impossible for us to maintain the service we are proud to offer to our local community without those who keep our families and businesses ticking over, who allow us leave of absence, and who are able to find the right balance of listening and letting-be as we each process our experiences.

“The mountain rescue family extends far beyond the red jackets.”