The incident happened on the summit of Yr-Wyddfa-Snowdon. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

Rescuers were called to the summit of Wales’s highest mountain after two people were struck by lightning.

Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team were alerted by North Wales Police to the incident on Yr Wyddfa-Snowdon about 1.35pm on Wednesday.

The team said a woman was falling in and out of consciousness after the strike, and had blood down one side of her face.

“The team was called to our base at Nant Peris, and a request for the assistance of the Coastguard rescue helicopter was made.”

Some volunteers from Llanberis MRT made their way up the mountain on foot; others were transported on the train, and a number were flown by the Caernarfon Coastguard helicopter to Clogwyn Station, 280m below the summit.

On arrival at the summit, team members treated two women for the effects of a lightning strike, one with minor and the other with more serious injuries, a spokesperson said.

After initial treatment, the injured pair were taken by rescuers back down the mountain to Clogwyn, from where the Coastguard helicopter airlifted them to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor.

The team said the safest place during an electrical storm is inside a modern building, away from metal conductors. Danger areas on mountains include peaks, especially at or near summits. High-risk areas include caves, subsidiary peaks, open water and in and around large trees, as well as flatter, wide-open areas. It is safer to try to descend using gullies rather than ridges.

If possible, finding a hollow with higher ground on each side will reduce the risk of being struck. If a thunderstorm is approaching, people should endeavour to leave dangerous and high-risk areas before it reaches them.