An RAF search and rescue helicopter had itself to be rescued after it broke down on a mercy mission.

The Sea King, from RAF Valley on Anglesey, encountered mechanical problems while undertaking a mission to rescue an injured walker on Snowdon. The craft ended up stranded at Nant Peris, near Llanberis, after the crew was forced to land.

A second, standby helicopter from Valley completed the rescue, aiding members of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team who went to help a walker suffering reported liver damage after falling on the mountain. He was taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor, where his injuries turned out to be minor. He was discharged the following day.

The original rescue helicopter, Sea King 122, had to be airlifted from the landing site by a larger, twin-rotor Chinook chopper, after service personnel stood guard over the stricken craft for two days. A spokesman for the RAF described the recovery as ‘a fairly simple pickup’.

Flight Lt Giles Ratcliffe said: “Rescue 122 was scrambled to assist an injured walker on Snowdon.

“During the rescue the crew had to make an unscheduled landing due to a technical problem. The second standby helicopter from Valley was then scrambled and, together with Llanberis MRT, completed the rescue.

“The casualty was taken to Bangor with what turned out to be minor injuries. There was a delay completing the rescue but this was kept to a minimum with the use of the second aircraft.

“Sea King 122 was recovered today by Chinook helicopter back to RAF Valley where the engineering investigation continues.”

The MRT had to stretcher the casualty over Snowdon summit to Half Way House, where the second helicopter picked him up to airlift him to hospital.

The video shows the Sea King being lifted and taken away by the Chinook.