American, 21, rescued on Snowdon

A 21-year-old walker who was lost on Snowdon in Gwynedd has been airlifted to safety in treacherous conditions.

The man, from America, was heading towards the 3,560ft (1,085m) summit on Snowdon's ranger path but got into difficulties in bad weather.

He called for help on a mobile phone and was located by members of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team.

A rescue helicopter based at RAF Valley on Anglesey flew the walker to hospital in Bangor for a check up.

The man had tried to retrace his steps in a snow storm after becoming lost but wandered on to Clogwyn Coch, an accident danger spot on the mountain's west side.

The rescue team, some taken up the mountain by helicopter, led him down towards Clogwyn station.

The helicopter was able to land and pick up the walker and members of the rescue team when the cloud lifted.

But it was 45 minutes before the helicopter was able to take off from the mountain because the weather had deteriorated.