In the news

Just before 2:00 p.m. on Wed 22nd August, Team call-handlers from Aberdyfi Search & Rescue Team were made of a collapsed female on Cader Idris

The 16 year old was part of a large outdoor education centre group walking on the Foxes Path On Cader Idris near Dolgellau. She had taken a small tumble of the loose and steep ground and was badly shaken but appeared otherwise unhurt. A number of other factors then came into play, which likely included the poor weather and physical location of the incident, and the casualty started to deteriorate and lose consciousness. A second 16 year old female from the same group also started to deteriorate and display signs of hypothermia.

Mountain rescue volunteers arrived on scene to stabilise the situation, and to co-ordinate the response of the Coastguard helicopter R936. Despite thick mist and driving rain, the aircraft was able to find a way in under the cloudbase and in seperate actions winched both girls aboard. The two casualties were flown to Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth, for further assessment and treatment.

The rest of the group were assisted off the hill, and everyone was back at their vehicles by 7.00 p.m.

The Team would like to thank the Maritime & Coastguard Agency R936 crew for their exceptional work in very challenging conditions, and also South Snowdonia Search & Rescue Team who assisted us in this rescue.

Aberdyfi Team Leader Chris Dunn was pleased with the operation. “This was a good example of the seamless inter-team and inter-agency working as the requirements of the incident escalated. This is what we plan and train for.”

At around 4:20 p.m., and while Team volunteers were dealing with the collapsed teenagers, call-handlers were informed of a pair of walkers also lost on the mountain.

The pair, both soaked to the skin, were attempting to navigate the mountain using Google Maps but were unable to find a way through steep ground and called for help.

A Team call handler was able to pinpoint their location using a Phonefind protocol to quiz their smartphone, and was able to give verbal directions using map-features to guide them back onto the correct route.

“We encourage people to enjoy the mountains safely and responsibly” said Team volunteer Graham O’Hanlon. “This involves individuals ensuring that they have the correct clothing for the prevailing weather and the right skill and equipment to find their way. As a resource for the mountains, Google Maps just doesn’t contain enough information about the terrain to be of use when things go wrong. The use of a map and compass would have made this incident far less likely, and we were fortunate not to have to divert personnel from the serious incident unfolding a short distance higher up the mountain for what was a largely avoidable situation.”

“There is great information about keeping safe while being active in the outdoors at http://www.adventuresmartwales.com” added Graham.