Afan Argoed Mountain Centre. Photo: Hywel Williams CC-BY-SA-2.0

Rescuers battled appalling weather conditions to help an injured mountain biker.

The night-time rescue involved three mountain rescue teams in south Wales who went to the aid of the man who had a suspected broken arm.

Ambulance staff alerted rescuers at about 8.20pm yesterday and members of the Western Beacons Mountain Search and Rescue Team were joined by colleagues from the Brecon and Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Teams and Search and Rescue Dogs Association in the operation on a hillside in the Afan Valley near Port Talbot.

Nick Collins of Western Beacons Mountain Search and Rescue Team said: “The man had been mountain biking around the well known trails near the Afan Argoed Mountain Centre when he lost control of his bike and crashed, injuring his arm.

“Hill parties were quickly assembled and tasked to locate, give immediate first aid, and evacuate the casualty.

“All the south Wales teams worked together seamlessly to produce an efficient extraction of the injured man and his cycling friends.”

The mountain biker was given pain relief and then stretchered from the hill to a waiting ambulance, which took him to the Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend.

Mr Collins added: “The incident took place in darkness and appalling weather conditions, and yet all the mountain rescue volunteers remained in good spirits before heading home at around 11pm.”