A GRATEFUL adventurer has relived his horrific near-death experience after falling down a waterfall and nearly drowning, and pledged to raise money to thank his rescuers.

Ben van der Molen was scrambling amongst waterfalls on the Aran Fawddwy mountain when he fell, badly broke his leg, and nearly drowned in 2014.

Thanks to the heroic efforts of his friends and Aberdyfi Search and Rescue Team (ASART), Ben was rescued before being airlifted to Ysbyty Gwynedd for life-saving treatment.

Now, four years later, a recovered Ben and his friends are taking on the gruelling three peaks challenge – where they will tackle Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis in less than 24 hours.

All proceeds from his fundraiser, which will hopefully be around £1,500, will be given to ASART.

Ben, who was 28 at the time of his accident, is eternally grateful to the team after his terrifying ordeal.

“I was taken down the river to the waterfall,” he said.

“I went over the top and then in the pool below was pinned between a large boulder and the side of the river bank.

“I was convinced I was going to drown as I was completely submerged.”

Desperate for air, Ben was trapped. His rescue took two and a half hours.

For more information, or to donate, visit Ben’s page at https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/benmolen1

Read the full story in today’s Meirionnydd edition of the Cambrian News