The Coastguard helicopter at the scene on Hay Bluff. Photo: Longtown MRT

Mountain rescuers were called out to a hillside in the Black Mountains after a paraglider was seriously injured in a crash.

Longtown Mountain Rescue Team was alerted by Dyfed-Powys Police to the incident on Hay Bluff on Saturday morning.

A team spokesperson said: “Initial reports were of a knee injury but after further investigation and contact with the casualty’s friends it became clear that the injuries were severe.

“Very quickly we had a team member on the hill at the scene, with the rest of the team en route and not far behind. Due to the severity and concern for the casualty we requested support from the Coastguard who sent Rescue 187 from St Athans.”

The team said the combination of the paraglider’s injuries and location made a helicopter winch difficult, so the Coastguard crew airlifted rescue team members and equipment in shuffle flights from Hay Common to the mountain’s summit to enable them to bring the man, in his 20s, up the slope to a position where he could be loaded onto the aircraft.

“Once on the summit, the team set up a rope system, got the casualty onto a stretcher and was able to raise him up slowly before transferring him to the waiting helicopter for onward travel to hospital,” the spokesperson said. “We wish him a full and speedy recovery.

“We would like to say a big thank you to Rescue187 for their help as always, to the casualty’s friends who stayed with him throughout and also the passing paramedic who was able to give immediate medical aid.”

Hay Bluff, 677m (2,221ft), lies on the eastern extremity of the Brecon Beacons national park, on the border between Wales and England.