Rescuers at the scene in the Maentwrog gorge. Photo: Ogwen Valley MRO

An injured man was brought to safety from a Snowdonia gorge in an operation involving four rescue teams and a Coastguard helicopter.

The man, in his 30s, suffered a suspected broken ankle while canyoning on Saturday with an organised group in the Maentwrog gorge.

Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team was called in to help South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team at the incident, and members of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation and Aberdyfi Search and Rescue Team also joined the operation, along with the Caernarfon Coastguard helicopter.

An Aberglaslyn MRT spokesperson said: “The group leader called for assistance after the casualty sustained an ankle injury in a narrow gorge above a waterfall known locally as Rheadr Du.

“The call was sent to South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team at 11.27am and five personnel from South Snowdonia SART were sent to the area as well as the search and rescue helicopter.

“Aberglaslyn MRT was alerted at 12.36pm and were asked to attend after it became apparent that the helicopter was unable to winch the casualty from the gorge.

“The casualty, who was located in a difficult location above the waterfall, had already been placed in a stretcher and was provided with first aid by a paramedic from the search and rescue helicopter.

“Five personnel from Aberglaslyn MRT made their way down to the casualty, on fixed lines, to assist with evacuation. To evacuate the casualty from the gorge a technical rope system was set up to raise the stretcher back up the steep side of the gorge.”

The injured man was then carried to the waiting helicopter and flown to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor. The rescue ended at 4pm.