Video: Dramatic moment rescuers save Kent woman and son stranded on Mount Snowdon
A Sea King rescue
helicopter takes off after saving the pair
This is the dramatic moment a stranded Kent woman and her
teenage son were rescued from Mount Snowdon.
An RAF helicopter was scrambled to rescue the
41-year-old woman and the boy of 17 suffering
from hypothermia.
Rescuers said they were not properly equipped and did
not have adequate clothing for the 3,560ft mountain -
Britain's second highest - yesterday.
They were saved after another walker found the pair stranded on
ice and snow after they lost their way.
Video: Rescuers save the
mother and her teenage son
The Sea King search and rescue helicopter flew out from Anglesey
to their aid in "truly awful" conditions amid a 70mph
windstorm.
A 12-strong volunteer team from the Llanberis Mountain Rescue
Team was scrambled at about 9.35am.
They roped the pair to safety before giving first aid and
airlifting them to Bangor.
Rescuers give the woman
and her teenage son first aid in a tent to protect them from the
elements
A rescue team spokesman said: "The mother and son left Pen y
Pass intending to go to Snowdon's summit via Pyg Track.
"They encountered snow and ice from the intersection of the Pyg
Track and the Miners' Track but continued to the summit of Snowdon
despite slipping and sliding.
"They decided to descend via the Llanberis Path but quickly
became disorientated by wind and cold and felt unable to go on.
"A passing walker who was properly equipped for the conditions
stopped to help them and called for assistance from the mountain
rescue team."
The woman and her son are
bundled into a rescue helicopter
The spokesman said both mother and son became hypothermic.
He said anyone heading for the upper reaches of Snowdon need an
ice axe and warm clothing as well as food and warm drinks.
The spokesman added people should recognise their
limitations and be prepared to turn back in good time if
necessary.
Mount Snowdon attracts thousands of walkers every year, but
unexperienced adventurers can quickly face trouble if they are
ill-equipped.
There have been several deaths on the Llanberis Path, where
walkers have slid from the hard snow.
Do you know the rescued pair? Phone the newsroom on 01634
227834.
22/03/13
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