Peak fall boy's surprise recovery

The rescue was hampered by worsening weather

A mountain rescuer has said he was surprised to find a 17-year-old climber who fell 80ft (24m) in Snowdonia alive.

The boy, from Worcestershire, was taken to hospital after a six-hour rescue operation involving an RAF helicopter on Tryfan on Saturday.

Clive Lloyd, from Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue, said the boy's injuries looked very severe when he was found.

But he said the youth had regained consciousness by the time he was being lifted from the mountain.

Mr Lloyd said the boy had been climbing with an experienced, well-equipped and well-organised group of family and friends when the accident happened.

Air lifted

He said: "The boy slipped on one of the steep craggy bits, bounced off one ledge, bounced off another ledge and came to rest on a third ledge 80 ft below."

The party dialled 999 on a mobile phone and a helicopter was called, while mountain rescuers made their way up to the boy.

But worsening weather meant the helicopter had to withdraw and the boy was stretchered 1,000ft (305m) down the mountain instead.

He was then picked up by the helicopter when the weather had improved and flown to Glan Clwyd Hospital at Bodelwyddan.

The boy suffered head and back injuries and was described as being in a "stable but poorly" condition on Sunday.

His current condition is not known.

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