Rescuers with the injured man. Photo: Ogwen Valley MRO

A man was airlifted from a Snowdonia mountain after tumbling 200ft while scrambling.

Rescuers said he was a very lucky man whose injuries could have been much worse if he hadn’t been wearing a helmet.

Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation was alerted shortly after 2pm on Saturday when police received a 999 call.

The team said an experienced mountaineer with a medical background reported his son, in his early 20s, had fallen down the Upper Cliff of Glyder Fawr, tumbling down the steep grass and scree below the crag.

Chris Lloyd of the Ogwen Valley team said: “Amazingly, the young man had survived the fall, was conscious but had received facial injuries and was in great pain all over.

“The two had been following a scrambling route on the Upper Cliff. They encountered wet and greasy rock so looked for an alternative route. As they were about to rope up, the young man slipped and fell.”

The team leader immediately requested the assistance of the Caernarfon Coastguard helicopter while two members headed up on foot.

Mr Lloyd said: “The helicopter was soon on scene and was able to lower the winchman. The helicopter flew across the valley to Oggi Base to collect four mountain rescue team members with technical rope rescue kit as it was thought that the casualty might have to be lowered to a better winching site.

“After treatment on the hillside the casualty was flown to hospital in Bangor. The father made his way off the hill with team members and drove to hospital.

“This unfortunate accident could have had very different outcome had the casualty not been wearing his helmet and if he had not received immediate good casualty care from his father.”