A PORTHMADOG mountain rescue leader was left distraught after he found his 18-year-old son dead during a search operation.

Dion Llwyd and his fellow members of Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team were contacted by North Wales Police shortly after 11.45pm on Monday, 29 February to assist in the search for a young man missing in the Llanfair/Harlech area.

This search was for one of their own, Josh Llwyd-Hopcroft, the 18-year-old son of Dion Llwyd who is a serving team leader and former chairman of the Aberglaslyn team.

The search continued until past 5am the next morning.

Dion himself went out on foot to search at first light, when tragically at 8.30am he located Josh deceased in fields close to the family home.

Shortly afterwards and lead by Dion himself, ten of Dion’s fellow team members and Josh’s brother Sion carried him back to the family home.

A spokesperson for Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue team said: “Dion, his wife Sue and the family, and the Aberglaslyn team are eternally grateful to the South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team and SARDA Wales for their assistance, and also the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation for providing cover for the team’s area in the few days after the search.”

Josh was originally from Penrhyndeudraeth, and a former student of Coleg Meirion Dwyfor in Dolgellau and Ysgol y Gader.

A celebration of Josh’s life will be held on Friday, 11 March at St Tanwg’s Church in Harlech.

Dion, his wife Sue and the family would like those attending the celebration into Josh’s life to wear a daffodil, and casual dress with bright colours as a reflection of Josh’s outgoing and bright personality.

See full story in this week’s Cambrian News