The RAF Sea King in action during the rescue in Cwm Tryfan. Photo: OVMRO

A girl was rescued from a Snowdonia mountain after surviving a 230ft fall from a ridge.

The 17-year-old was with a group making her way down to the Ogwen Valley on Monday when she took a sliding fall into Cwm Tryfan from Braich y Ddeugwm, to the east of Tryfan.

Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation was already on the hills dealing with a 20-year-old woman lost in Cwm Idwal.

The woman, who was conducting studies for an academic dissertation, became disoriented in showers and swirling mist. Chris Lloyd of the rescue team said she was found by a small party of rescuers and led to safety.

The team was then alerted to the girl who was taking part with a group from the West Country in a three-day expedition.

Mr Lloyd said: “They had set off in fine weather earlier in the day but the cloud descended and the rain fell. They were descending the East ridge of Cwm Tryfan, making their way to ‘Big Willy’s’ campsite at Gwern Gof Isaf farm.

“The girl had ventured too close to the steep edge and took a long sliding and tumbling fall.

“As mobile phone signal was only available from the ridge, the other two girls remained there while the two boys made their way down the steep hillside just south of the crag Drws Nodded.

“Here they found their friend in remarkable condition considering her fall. She was conscious and without apparent broken bones.

“Members of the team were deployed into the cwm with the expectation of a long stretcher carry out, as Anglesey and the RAF helicopter were covered in dense cloud.

“After treatment for cuts and bruises, she was carefully loaded onto the Titan stretcher. Fortunately, 22 Squadron had managed to escape from RAF Valley and were able to winch the girl aboard and fly her to hospital at Bangor.

“While team members escorted the two boys down to the sanctuary of Oggie base, other members climbed into the cloud to locate the two girls. They too were brought down to meet their supervisors at Oggie Base.

“This was an unfortunate incident to occur to a well organised group. The casualty’s four team mates acted extremely well. And the casualty is very fortunate not to have suffered more injuries.”

The girl’s rescue lasted three hours.