The man's body was airlifted from Snowdon. Photo: Chris March CC-BY-SA-2.0

A man has died after a fall on Wales’s highest mountain.

Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team was alerted by members of the public who reported seeing what they believed was a rockfall on Snowdon.

They reported that a person might have been caught in the incident below Bwlch y Saethau, east of the mountain’s 1,085m (3,560ft) summit.

A Llanberis MRT spokesperson said: “On the morning of Christmas Eve the team were alerted by members of the public, who were on the Pyg track, to a possible rockfall below Bwlch y Saethau.

“After looking through a high-powered camera lens the informant was concerned that a person might have been caught up in the fall.

“The team co-ordinator immediately requested support from Maritime and Coastguard Agency Rescue 936 who were immediately tasked to the scene and deployed their winchman paramedic.

“The winchman located the casualty and relayed the message that tragically, the casualty hasn’t survived the fall.”

The helicopter crew then airlifted rescue team members on to the mountain to help recover the body.

The spokesperson said: “The terrain proved quite technical with team members requiring ropes to secure everyone on scene and to move the casualty. Once in a suitable position, 936 returned to lift the casualty.

“With over 300m of rope, stretchers, medical equipment, and gases and rigging kit to walk off the hill, the team were very grateful when 936 returned to lift us off the hill before darkness set in.

“Our condolences go to the family and friends of the casualty, at any time a tragic incident, more so given the time of year.

“And our special thanks go to both crews of rescue 936 for their speed and commitment to what, at times, was a highly technical and dangerous rescue.”