Man 'critically ill' after falling into Snowdonia waterfall

A young man is 'critically ill' after falling 30ft at a beauty spot in Snowdonia.

He is understood to have fallen into the water at Swallow Falls near Betws-y-Coed in Conwy before being airlifted to hospital to be treated for injuries described as "critical."

Emergency crews and volunteers were called to the scene just after 11.00am on Saturday morning.

A spokesperson for Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team said: "The team were called out to reports of a man falling into the water at Swallow Falls and requiring CPR.

"A young man had fallen approximately 10-15 metres from the cliff above the river opposite to the visitor site.

"He landed unconscious in the water and remained there for 10 minutes until his friend, a bystander and an off-duty paramedic were able to reach him."

The spokesman added: "Working with the Wales Air Ambulance crew and two WAST (Welsh Ambulance Services Trust) paramedics, the critically ill young man was treated and placed in a vacuum mattress and stretcher before being raised to the path.

"From there, he was carried to the now closed A5 where further critical care was given before he was flown to Stoke Trauma centre."

The rescue team said it hoped "our young adventurer recovers well".

A Wales Air Ambulance Charity spokesperson said: "I can confirm that the Wales Air Ambulance Charity attended an incident near Betws y Coed yesterday (Saturday) morning.

"Our Caernarfon-based helicopter crew were mobile at 11:05 and arrived on scene at 11:18.

"Following critical care treatments from our consultant and critical care practitioner, we airlifted the patient to the Royal Stoke University Hospital, leaving scene at 12:54 and arriving at the hospital at 13:26. Our involvement concluded at 14:46."