FOUR of North Wales’ mountain rescue teams were called to the rescue a man who was “canyoning” in a Maentwrog gorge.

Aberdyfi, Aberglasyn and Ogwen mountain rescue teams were called in to assist the South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team after a man in his late 30s had to be airlifted to safety after sustaining a suspected broken ankle.

The casualty injured his ankle in a narrow gorge above a waterfall known locally as Rheadr Du whilst ‘canyoning’ - an outdoor pursuit which sees participants traversing through waterways using a variety of means.

The original call was received at 11.30 on Saturday morning (30 April) but the extraction could not take place until almost four hours later due to the difficulty of the area’s terrain.

Staff from the Snowdonia Rescue Teama and the Coastguard’s Bristows Rescue 936 managed to reach the victim and offer First Aid but were unable to lift the stretcher out of the tricky location above the waterfall.

Several volunteers from the other rescue teams abseiled down to the injured canyoner on fixed lines to assist with evacuation.

To remove the casualty from the gorge a technical rope system was set up to raise the stretcher back up the steep side of the gorge.

After a treacherous ascent, the casualty was eventually carried to an awaiting helicopter where he was taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd to receive urgent medical attention.

The teams were stood down at approximately 4pm.