A caver was airlifted to hospital after an underground zip wire snapped at a former slate mine in Snowdonia. The incident occurred at the Croesor-Rhosydd complex near Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, on Sunday afternoon.
The climber fell onto rocks in the so-called 'snakes and ladders' cave, part of a route known for obstacles including the 'chamber of horrors' and a 'bridge of death' suspended across water. The zip wire snapped as the caver set off to cross a lake.
Colleagues raised the alarm after they climbed out of the mine. A Coastguard rescue helicopter was dispatched to the scene, and the casualty was flown to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor. The North Wales Cave Rescue Organisation (NWCRO) and the South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team also attended.
An NWCRO spokesperson said: 'We had a call from NWP that the casualty had managed to make their own way out. They were now at the Rhosydd entrance to the mine but needed assistance to progress any further. The helicopter was duly dispatched to collect the casualty.'
Rescuers described the site as the 'most rescued underground location in North Wales' and urged climbers to have experience and their own equipment. One climber from Llandudno warned: 'This through-route in my opinion is a disaster waiting to happen. It's only going to be a matter of time before the call-out is to a body recovery.'
