Watch video of Mountain Rescue team help to airlift woman to hospital
AN INJURED walker was airlifted from the summit of Pen y Fan in difficult weather conditions.
Brecon Mountain Rescue Team and a Coastguard helicopter responded to the woman who had fallen and injured her ankle in the Jacob’s Ladder area of Pen y Fan.
Jacob’s Ladder is a steep section of rocky path leading up to the summit.
“I had to make that crucial decision to bring in Mountain Rescue to a woman who had fallen and broken her ankle,” said Jason Birch, Director of the Fan Dance Event, a grueling SAS selection style event which was happening on Saturday.
“I’m proud of our very own internal Mountain Safety Team and DS (directing staff) alike for coordinating their efforts to not only stabilising the woman’s injuries but by making her as comfortable as possible until the Mountain Rescue teams arrived on the scene,” said Mr Birch in a Facebook post.
“Impressive skills by the Coastguard pilot under such harsh weather conditions with high wind speeds experienced.”
Brecon Mountain Rescue Team said in a statement: “Due to the conditions on the top being incredibly windy, Maritime and Coastguard Agency Rescue 187 was requested for assistance.
“Just as team members were arriving on scene, Rescue 187 had also just arrived and thankfully managed to extract the casualty.
“We wish the casualty a quick recovery.”
The Coastguard helicopter winched down a medic and kit bag to the casualty before landing on the nearby Craig Gwaun Taf summit on Saturday.
It later returned to airlift the casualty to hospital.
Coastguard Rescue helicopter 187 is based at MoD St Athan, Vale of Glamorgan.
Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team also arrived at the scene to offer help if needed.
Brecon Mountain Rescue advises visitors to take a number of precautions before starting a walk at Pen y Fan including checking the weather and letting somebody know where you are going.
“The mountains, hills and rivers are still dangerous places and knowing how to contact help and keep yourself comfortable, should something go wrong, is very important,” they said.
