The Coastguard helicopter was stood down due to conditions at the site. Photo: Western Beacons MSRT

A rescue helicopter had to abandon its attempts to winch an injured walker aboard because of weather conditions in the southern Brecon Beacons.

Mountain rescue teams stretchered the walker form the site on a riverbank on Wednesday.

The woman suffered serious spine and pelvis injuries when she fell down a riverbank near Pontneddfechan.

Western Beacons Mountain Search and Rescue Team was alerted about 1.35pm after ambulance staff requested help.

Members of the Central Beacons and Brecon Mountain Rescue Teams joined the operation to bring the injured woman to safety.

A Western Beacons team spokesperson said: “The female had suffered a variety of serious injuries to her spine and pelvis.

“She was immobilised by the team ready for extraction. Support was requested for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency helicopter to attend to assist with the evacuation.

“However due to there being no safe place to winch the casualty and the weather conditions the helicopter was eventually stood down and the casualty was extracted by stretcher by mountain rescue volunteers to the roadside and the waiting ambulance to be taken to hospital for further medical attention.

“The rescue went on into the early evening and we would like to thank the amazing volunteers we have who responded to the call.

“We wish the female a very speedy recovery.”