Rescuers said a Turkish holidaymaker was lucky to be alive after falling 25ft into a river gorge in the Neath Valley in south Wales.

The man - who suffered multiple fractures in the accident at the Clun Gwyn Falls near Pontneddfechan - is believed to be a middle-aged man who was visiting the area with two others on Sunday.

The man was winched to the helicopter

It is thought he fell after tripping on a footpath. He tumbled down the narrow gorge, just missing the rocks below, and landed just feet away from the water.

He was airlifted from the scene and taken to Morriston Hospital in a Sea King rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor in Devon.

He has since been treated for several broken bones in his legs.

Around 50 people, including members of the Brecon Mountain Rescue Team, were involved in the operation to rescue him after the accident happened below Clun Gwyn Farm.

Peter Howells, leader of the Central Brecon Mountain Rescue Team, said it had been a difficult operation because of the location of the accident.

The Neath Valley, known for its scenic views and waterfalls, has been the scene of some tragic incidents in recent weeks.

Locals are worried about the lack of warning signs

As the area - reknowned for its rivers, caves, and gorges - has grown more popular with everyone from walkers to students on outdoor pursuits courses, accidents have become more frequent.

Just a month ago a 17-year-old trainee soldier, Private Kevin Sharman, from Derbyshire, was killed in a training accident.

He drowned whilst on exercise at the nearby Porth yr Ogof caves. A week later, 16-year-old teenager Herve Bola died after jumping into a pool at another beauty spot, the Sgwd y Gwladys Falls while on an adventure sports holiday.

Herve Bola died on an adventure holiday

People living near the waterfall have said there are not enough warnings about how dangerous the water can be.

"It is a dangerous river but as long as you treat it as a beauty thing, not as something to mess and fool about on," said fisherman Len Collins.

A year ago, a college trip to waterfalls in the area ended in the death of 17-year-old Jason Dalton from Bargoed, south Wales.

He was on a field trip as part of a personal development and confidence-building course when he drowned in a swollen river.