Snowdon. Photo: Martin Morris

The man who died on Snowdon on Saturday was today named as Gwyn Norrell, of Snailbeach, Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

The 27-year-old was found by rescuers at the site of an accident involving two walkers on Clogwyn Coch. Mr Norrell’s mother Diane said he was a talented photographer and had gone on to the mountain to take pictures. He is believed to have been alone at the time of the accident.

Mr Norrell’s body was discovered by climbers who had been on the nearby Clogwyn Du’r Arddu and had heard shouts for help from two men who had fallen over the Clogwyn Coch.

At the same time, a member of the Llanberis Mountain Rescue team who was above the crags was told by two other walkers that two of their colleagues had fallen at the site, above the Clogwyn station of the Snowdon Mountain Railway.

The pilot of the RAF search-and-rescue helicopter that picked the stricken walkers from the mountain, Flight Lieutenant David Moran, told the BBC: “They were some of the most challenging conditions I’ve faced in two and a half years with the rescue force.”

Blizzard conditions and snow whipped up by turbulence meant the winch operator could not even see the winchman below as he was lowered to the casualties.

One man was flown to Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, suffering from chest injuries. The helicopter then returned to winch a second walker from a ledge on the crags. He was uninjured.

Ian Henderson of the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team said none of the party of four was wearing crampons or had an ice axe.

He stressed that anyone venturing on to the Snowdonia mountains in their current condition must carry full winter gear. Although snow is soft away from the paths, on the main routes, the snow has become compacted and extremely slippery and crampons are essential.