Rescuers at the scene on Snowdon. Photo: Aberglaslyn MRT

Three rescue teams went to the aid of a walker who broke his ankle on Wales’s highest mountain.

Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team was alerted late on Saturday afternoon when the man fell and injured himself on Snowdon.

The team had only six volunteer team members available, so called on neighbouring Aberglaslyn team for assistance. The Aberglaslyn team could only send four of its rescuers, so a second request for help was made to Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation.

A Llanberis team spokesperson said the walker suffered a nasty ankle fracture on the Pyg Track near its junction with the Miners’ Track. “Given the seriousness of the injury we requested the assistance of Rescue 936, the Coastguard helicopter.

“Unfortunately they had been tasked to another incident in the Irish Sea and were not able to help.”

Due to the likelihood of a long stretcher carry, the Llanberis team requested help of their neighbouring colleagues. The Ogwen Valley team contributed eight volunteers to the rescue operation.

An Aberglaslyn MRT spokesperson said: “In a combined rescue effort, the casualty was stabilised, provided with pain relief and evacuated by stretcher in an operation lasting over six hours.”

Team members arrived back at their Porthmadog base about 1am.

The injured walker was taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor by ambulance.