The women turned back while tackling the mountain's North Ridge. Photo: David Crocker CC-BY-SA-2.0

A walker was airlifted from a Snowdonia mountain after injuring her ankle.

Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation was called out yesterday to the incident on Tryfan and was joined in the operation by a Sea King helicopter from RAF Valley on Anglesey.

Two women attempted the ascent of the mountain by the North Ridge but turned back when the route got too difficult.

A rescue team spokesperson said: “They strayed off the path on the way down and one of them chose to slide down a short rocky slab.

“Unluckily her foot caught in a crack and she kept going which resulted in a very painful ankle injury and an inability to move.”

A hasty party of rescue team members made their way to the scene after being called out at 1.55pm. Together with the helicopter crew they managed to extricate the walker form her awkward position and splint her leg.

She was then flown to hospital for further treatment while her companion was accompanied to the valley by rescuers.

The three-hour rescue involved 13 volunteer team members and was the Ogwen Valley MRO’s 83rd callout this year.