Young climber on road to recovery

Ben Halley survived after falling onto a rock outcrop on Tryfan

The family of a teenager who fell 80ft (24m) in Snowdonia say he is recovering well after being saved during a six hour rescue operation.

Ben Halley, 16, had been climbing with a party on Tryfan on Saturday when he slipped on a crag.

The schoolboy suffered numerous injuries including broken ribs, a punctured lung and head injuries.

His family have said his condition is quickly improving after receiving treatment in hospital where he remains.

"He lost his footing, it was just one of those things when accidents happen," said Ben's step-father, Gary Green.

"Unfortunately he went of the edge, luckily for him there was a ledge and he landed on it."

The teenager, who is from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, had been with a well equipped and experienced group of family and friends who raised the alarm.

Members of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue team were airlifted to the accident site, but poor weather meant the youngster had to be taken 1,000ft (305m) down the mountain on a stretcher.

Rescuers said he had been incredibly lucky to survive the fall.

But his step-father said he is not surprised at the swift recovery being made: "He's very strong, he has done sports before and a lot of walking and that's what is bringing him through."

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