Western Beacons MRT Mike Rudall memorial 01 1200
Mountain rescuers made the ascent of south Wales’s highest peak to commemorate a former leader who died on a callout 40 years ago.
On Monday, members of Western Beacons Mountain Rescue Team staged the memorial walk up Pen y Fan, the site where Mike Rudall lost his life while rescuing an injured Scout.
The team also laid a wreath at a memorial stone at the Bannau Brycheiniog national park visitor centre at Libanus near Brecon to mark the anniversary.
In May 1983, the then Bridgend team, the forerunner of the Western Beacons MRT, was called out to the 886m (2,907ft) mountain when a group of Scouts got into difficulties.
A team spokesperson said: “In weather conditions described as ‘atrocious, with strong winds and snow falling’, a group of Venture Scouts had lost their way descending Pen y Fan and wandered onto the dangerously steep north-east face.
“One of them became separated from the rest and fell, breaking his leg. Mike Rudall had ventured out to treat the lad, when a fall of rock crashed down the face. Instinctively shielding the injured scout with his own body, Mike took the force of the fall and lost his life.”
One of Scouts who was rescued joined the team for the walk and Mr Rudall’s brother read some words from Mike Rudall’s daughter who now lives in Australia.
The spokesperson said: “Mike’s sister also attended in the afternoon to be there to see a wreath be laid and meet members of the team and previous team members along with people who attended the callout with Mike that day.
“Western Beacons Mountain Rescue Team believes it is important to remember our team history and we ensure that every new team member that joins us for their induction and initial training, knows about Mike and this tragic event.
Rescuers and supporters on the summit of Pen y Fan. Photo: Western Beacons MRT
“We are still in contact with Mike’s family 40 years after that day in 1983, and we would like to thank them for being so supportive to us as a team and that we continue to remember him.”
The team said his family have kindly agreed that any donations in memory of the late rescuer be made to the Western Beacons team. “This is something that we are extremely grateful of, and it allows us to continue to deliver a professional service to the people of south and west Wales when they need us,” the spokesperson said.
“We save lives, whatever the weather and we have one of the largest areas of any team in England and Wales. See below area.”
