The couple were coming down Tryfan's North Ridge when the man slipped. Photo: Terry Hughes CC-BY-SA-2.0

Rescuers praised a young woman who made her way down a slippery gully to raise the alarm after her boyfriend was seriously injured in a fall on a Snowdonia mountain.

The pair were descending Tryfan’s North Ridge today when the 27-year-old man slipped and fell about 30ft.

Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation used the Sarloc smartphone software to locate the couple after the 23-year-old woman made the tricky descent of the gully to retrieve their only mobile phone from his rucksack.

The team was called out about 5pm today after being alerted by the ambulance service.

Chris Lloyd of the team said the pair, from the local area, tackled the grade-one scramble up Tryfan’s North Ridge.

He said: “As the weather was deteriorating and she had not been up Tryfan before, they made the wise decision to turn back.

“They descended the North Ridge, but towards the lower parts they strayed onto the small crags above the Milestone Buttress.

“As he descended a short wet gully, he slipped and fell about 10m (30ft), sustaining multiple injuries. His girlfriend realising that he was seriously injured needed to get medical assistance urgently.

“Unfortunately, their only mobile phone was in his rucksack. Admirably, she managed to descend this wet gully to get to her boyfriend and to dial 999. She asked for ambulance.

“They in turn requested 22 Squadron [from RAF Valley] and notified the police to call Ogwen Valley mountain rescue team.

“The Sea King was inbound as team members were arriving at base. Initially the report was somewhere on Tryfan, and she had added that she could see the Llyn Ogwen.

“Using Sarloc, the mobile phone was located to be about 60m (200ft) up the North Ridge from the A5.”

The helicopter picked up two team members to help search for the fallen walker and assist on difficult terrain.

Another team member made his way on foot, while team members gathered at their base in case the helicopter was unable to rescue the casualty.

Mr Lloyd said: “Fortunately the casualty was winched aboard after treatment for several possible broken bones and flown down to Ysbyty Gwynedd at Bangor.

“Here the trauma team was standing by, having been alerted of this incident.

“The young girlfriend walked down to Oggie Base with team members. Her actions must be commended.”