An RAF Sea King helicopter

A rescue helicopter carrying an injured walker had to make an emergency landing when it developed mechanical problems.

The RAF Sea King aircraft from RMB Chivenor in Devon had just picked up a man who had fallen while gorge walking between Ystradfellte and Pontneddfechan.

Members of the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team, Brecon Mountain Rescue Team and the Search and Rescue Dogs Association South Wales responded at 3.45pm to an ambulance service request for help after the man slipped down a steep embankment, injuring his head and chest.

Mountain rescuers were at the scene shortly before the arrival of the Sea King, and treated the man at the site, strapping him to a stretcher as it was feared he could have suffered spinal injuries.

He was winched aboard the helicopter but the aircraft had to land near the roadside when it developed a mechanical fault.

The casualty was then carried to an ambulance and taken to hospital.

A spokesperson for the Central Beacons team described the rescue as ‘eventful’ on difficult terrain.

The Sea King from RMB Chivenor that was forced to make an emergency landing during the rescue near Pontneddfechan

Incident controller Mark Moran of the team said: “As soon as the casualty was safely within the helicopter, they had an emergency alarm and needed to land.

“The crew expertly piloted the aircraft safely to the roadside and the male was transferred to the ambulance for road transport.

“The crew joined us for a cuppa while they waited for a maintenance crew to arrive in another helicopter.”