Central Beacons MRT

Mountain Rescue Team was called out after a walker injured his ankle on Neuadd Ridge in the Brecon Beacons. Passers-by assisted the individual down the slope before medics arrived to assess and treat the injury with splinting and pain relief. The casualty was subsequently carried from the ridge to a car park for onward transport to hospital.

Outcome: Transported to hospital

A joint operation by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team successfully cleared a large amount of illegally dumped waste from the steep slopes of Bwlch Mountain. The rescue team utilised highly technical rope systems to safely remove tonnes of debris that had been fly-tipped over private farmland.

Outcome: Waste successfully cleared from the site.

Outcome: The walker was safely rescued after sliding down a slope and being held by his foot jamming between two trees. He received treatment for a suspected lower leg injury before being transported to hospital.

Mountain rescue teams were called out after two walkers became stranded in the waterfalls area of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. One walker was found dangling upside down above a 20-foot drop, requiring a complex rope rescue operation to bring them to safety.

Outcome: The casualty was safely rescued and treated for a suspected lower leg injury.

The team responded to several incidents early in 2026, including assisting with a leg injury at Pen y Fan and locating individuals near Claerwen Reservoir. They also assisted in reuniting a missing person party at Pont ar Daf and managing an ankle injury evacuation from Pen y Fan.

Outcome: Casualties were assessed, treated, and evacuated to appropriate medical care.

The rescue team reported that 2025 was their busiest year in their history, with them being contacted 182 times across their operational area. Notable incidents included an airlift of a walker from Pen-y-Fan on January 2nd and assistance provided when a woman collapsed while walking near Talybont-on-Usk.

Outcome: Multiple incidents handled successfully

Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team attended their 160th callout of the year after a walker dislocated her shoulder in the waterfalls area of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. Remote Rescue Medical Technicians located her using a What3Words reference and provided pain relief and first aid. The walker was guided out of the steep gorge with assistance from Welsh Ambulance Service and passers-by.

Outcome: casualty evacuated with assistance from emergency services

Two males attempting to climb Pen-y-Fan at night in bad weather were rescued by Brecon Mountain Rescue Team. One casualty was suffering chest pain at the scene. Both were evacuated by Gator vehicle and checked by the team doctor, with no serious medical issues found.

Outcome: both evacuated by Gator vehicle, assessed by team doctor, no serious issues found

Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team responded to eleven callouts over the August Bank Holiday Weekend (23–25 August). Incidents included lost walkers, multiple ankle injuries, an unwell person, a lost child, an injured cyclist, and a forestry-based multiple casualty incident. All incidents were concluded successfully with casualties evacuated and treated.

Outcome: all casualties assisted, evacuated and treated; all five incidents on 24 August concluded successfully; all eleven callouts concluded by 8:30pm Monday

A man fell near the Lower Clun Gwyn waterfall in the Brecon Beacons on 19 August, sustaining chest and shoulder injuries. A woman helping at the scene subsequently slipped and fell to a ledge below, suffering a head injury. Both casualties were treated by rescue teams and paramedics, with the man evacuated by stretcher to hospital and the woman carefully escorted from the gorge after assessment.

Outcome: man evacuated by stretcher to hospital; woman treated for head injury and escorted out of gorge

Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team responded to multiple incidents over the weekend of 14–17 August, including a missing person search, two fracture cases at waterfalls, an injured cyclist at a bike park, a walker with a knee laceration, and another missing person. All casualties were safely evacuated with medical assistance.

Outcome: all casualties evacuated by stretcher or carried to ambulance for hospital transfer; missing persons located safe and well

Three walkers were injured at separate waterfalls in the Brecon Beacons area of Wales on Saturday. One woman sustained a fractured leg at Henrhyd Falls, another injured her leg at Sgwd Ddwli, and a man suffered a suspected fractured femur at Sgwd Gwladys. All three were rescued by mountain rescue teams and the Welsh Ambulance Service.

Outcome: all three casualties rescued and assisted to safety

A walker sustained head and leg injuries after falling on the steps to Sgwd yr Eira waterfall in the Bannau Brycheiniog waterfalls area. Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team attended alongside Welsh Ambulance Service and assisted in extricating the casualty by stretcher for transfer to hospital.

Outcome: casualty evacuated by stretcher to hospital

Two mountain rescue teams were called to Nant y Moch reservoir in the Cambrian Mountains on 29 July to assist a woman with an ankle injury in a remote location. The injured walker was located, treated for pain relief, and evacuated by ambulance to hospital. The post also briefly mentions a separate incident on 21 July when a missing person was found safe north of Pen-y-Fan.

Outcome: evacuated by ambulance to hospital for treatment

Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team responded to an injured walker at Sgwd Gwladus waterfall near Pontneddfechan on 28 June 2025. The woman had sustained an ankle injury; the team treated, splinted the injury and evacuated her by stretcher to hospital.

Outcome: casualty evacuated by stretcher to hospital

Brecon Mountain Rescue Team attended two separate callouts for injured casualties in late April and early May. On 24 April, they assisted Central Beacons MRT with a female casualty on Neuadd Ridge who was given pain relief and stretchered off the hill. On 4 May, they responded to an ankle injury in forestry near Resolven, with the casualty evacuated by stretcher to hospital.

Outcome: both casualties stretchered off and evacuated

Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team responded to two ankle injury callouts on Pen y Fan over the weekend of 8–9 March in contrasting weather conditions. On Friday evening, a male walker with an ankle injury was assisted on the summit in wet and windy weather. On Sunday morning, a gentleman with a broken ankle was located on Corn Du, assessed by casualty carers, splinted, and evacuated by stretcher; he was later found to have sustained a three-part fracture.

Outcome: both casualties evacuated by stretcher; Sunday's casualty attended A&E/MIU for three-part ankle fracture

Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team assisted Gwent Police and partner rescue organisations in searching for a 31-year-old man from Abertillery who went missing near Llanhilleth on 24 February. The man was last seen at approximately 1:30 am wearing a navy and burgundy mac coat over a grey North Face coat, dark jogging bottoms and white trainers.

Brecon Mountain Rescue Team responded to two separate incidents over the weekend of 15–16 February. On Saturday, they assisted Central Beacons MRT in searching for a couple reported lost near Cribyn in Bannau Brycheiniog. On Sunday, they were called to assist a female near Usk Reservoir who had poor phone signal; both casualties were located safe and well before the team fully deployed.

Outcome: both incidents resolved with casualties located safe; team stood down on second callout

Two dogs, Dougal and Nellie, went missing on Mynydd Blaenrhondda near Blaencwm on 22 January after running up the mountain. They were found on 24 January stranded near a cliff edge and were safely recovered by Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team without the need for rope rescue, then reunited with their owners.

Outcome: both dogs safely recovered and reunited with owners

Central Beacon and Brecon Mountain Rescue Teams responded to five callouts on 4 January after heavy snow in the Brecon Beacons. Incidents included a lost walker near Pen-y-Fan, three people and a baby stranded in a car, another vehicle with three people and three dogs, and hypothermic campers at Cwm Lwch. All casualties were located and assisted, with one person stretchered off to an ambulance.

Outcome: all casualties rescued; walker assisted off mountain, stranded motorists and campers evacuated, one casualty stretchered to ambulance

Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team, assisted by search and rescue dog Dug and handler Rhi, located a missing person on the mountain above Treorchy, Rhondda on Boxing Day. The casualty was found uninjured and safely walked off the mountain.

Outcome: casualty located uninjured and walked off mountain

Central Beacons Rescue Team was called out on Christmas Day to locate a lone female walker who had become disoriented in the Brecon Beacons. The walker was located safe and well by search dog Dug and handler Rhi, marking their first operational find as a newly qualified search dog team.

Outcome: walker located safe and well

Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team located two separate lost walkers using phone technology and search dogs. The first walker, lost in low cloud on 30 November, was guided back to his car by phone. The second walker, lost near Pen y Fan's summit on 1 December, was located by search dog 'Rusty' and escorted safely back, cold and wet but uninjured.

Outcome: walkers located and safely guided to car park, uninjured

Brecon and Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Teams responded to multiple incidents over a busy week, including a male walker who fell on Pen y Fan on 10 November sustaining multiple injuries, a mountain bike rider with a suspected broken leg at Bike Park Wales on 11 November, and a missing person search above Pontsticill on 8 November. All casualties were assisted and the missing person was found safe.

Outcome: casualty stretchered to 4x4 and transported to hospital

Brecon Mountain Rescue Team responded to two separate incidents on Pen y Fan within a week in June 2024. On 15 June, a missing walker was located by event organisers and safely escorted off the hill. On 22 June, a casualty with head and knee injuries was treated and transported to medical assistance.

Outcome: missing walker located and walked off safely; injured walker transported to medical assistance

Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team attended two incidents on 20 May 2024. First, a walker who fell at Sgwd yr Eira Waterfall with hip pain was assisted out of the gorge and taken to hospital. Later the same evening, a mountain bike rider who fell approximately four metres at Bike Park Wales with a fractured femur was evacuated by stretcher.

Outcome: both casualties evacuated to hospital by ambulance

A man sustained an ankle fracture and dislocation while climbing Corn Du in the Brecon Beacons. Members of the public provided initial assistance with shelter and warmth while Brecon and Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Teams attended and assessed him. He was evacuated by Maritime Coastguard Agency helicopter to hospital due to the severity of his injury and risk of hypothermia.

Outcome: evacuated by helicopter to hospital

A mountain biker sustained a fracture dislocation of his ankle on a steep mountainside above Ynysddu on 12 March 2023. Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team provided pain relief and splinted immobilisation before carrying him by stretcher off the mountain for hospital transport.

Outcome: casualty evacuated by stretcher to hospital

A 20-year-old wild camper was rescued from the summit of Pen-y-Fan in the Brecon Beacons after encountering difficulties in adverse weather conditions during the early hours of 7 March 2023. Central Beacons and Brecon Mountain Rescue Teams responded, and the casualty was treated for hypothermia before being assisted off the hill and returned to family.

Outcome: casualty treated for hypothermia and assisted off the hill

A spaniel fell from the summit of Corn Du in the Brecon Beacons. The owners retrieved the dog and Central Brecon Mountain Rescue Team assisted with carrying her off the mountain and provided first aid. Veterinary examination confirmed no internal injuries, with only minor dental damage.

Outcome: dog retrieved and carried off mountain, received canine first aid and veterinary care, no serious injuries

A brown cocker spaniel fell into an old mine shaft near Varteg, Pontypool on 26 December 2023, along with another dog. Despite extensive efforts by emergency services and the local community, including the use of a digger, the dog was not located; one dog was successfully recovered.

Outcome: dog not located despite rescue efforts; one dog recovered

Two men were rescued from the Brecon Beacons after becoming lost in severe cold conditions with snow and ice on the hillside. Both were found uninjured and were able to walk off the mountain with support from rescuers before being given warm refreshments.

Outcome: both walked off the mountain uninjured with team support

A man with hypothermia was rescued from the summit of Corn Du in the Brecon Beacons after rescue teams were called on Sunday evening. Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team located him with assistance from a search dog and police drone. He was assessed medically and safely evacuated.

Outcome: casualty evacuated safely after medical assessment

A group of schoolchildren on a Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition became disorientated in low cloud and rain on Twyn Mwyalchod in the Brecon Beacons and called 999 for assistance. Central Beacons Mountain Rescue located and guided them safely back to the valley. No injuries were reported and the group was commended for their responsible actions.

Outcome: guided safely back to valley, no injuries

Two women were rescued from separate incidents in the Brecon Beacons on 9 May 2022. The first woman suffered a lower leg injury above Ogmore Vale and was evacuated by helicopter to hospital. The second woman sustained a suspected lower leg fracture on the south side of Cribyn and was evacuated by stretcher and ambulance.

Outcome: both casualties evacuated to hospital by helicopter and stretcher respectively

A walker sustained a suspected broken leg after slipping near Clun Gwyn waterfall in the Brecon Beacons. The mountain rescue team located her and evacuated her by stretcher to a waiting ambulance. A coastguard helicopter was called but ultimately not required.

Outcome: casualty evacuated by stretcher to ambulance

A hamster and its owners, including an 11-year-old girl, became cold and wet during a waterfall walk in the Brecon Beacons that took longer than expected and continued into darkness. Central Beacons Mountain Rescue located the group and provided assistance to warm them up. All members of the party, including the hamster, were uninjured.

Outcome: all located and warmed by rescue team, no injuries

A family of two from London and their pet hamster became lost during a walk in the Brecon Beacons area of Wales when the weather deteriorated. Central Beacons Mountain Rescue located them using the What3Words app and assisted them back to their vehicle safely.

Outcome: located safely and walked back to car

Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team responded to three separate incidents in the Brecon Beacons on the same day. A German pointer fell approximately 30ft over Sgŵd y Pannwr waterfall and was stretchered to a veterinary clinic with a fractured leg; a woman suffered a suspected lower leg fracture on the same path and was stretchered to an ambulance; and a missing walker was located safe and well at a nearby car park.

Outcome: dog stretchered to vets with fractured leg; woman stretchered to ambulance; missing walker reunited with group

Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team attended two separate incidents in the Neuadd Valley within consecutive days. On 14 July, a fell runner became detached from his partner and overdue, but was located safely in Pontsticill village. On 15 July, a couple lost on the Neuadd ridge and suffering from cold were located using mapping technology and escorted safely off the mountain.

Outcome: both incidents resolved safely; runner found in village, couple rewarmed and escorted off mountain

Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team responded to two calls on 29 June 2021: a male walker with a leg injury on Mynydd-y-glog mountain in the Brecon Beacons, and a search for a missing 60-year-old man from the Caerphilly area. The injured walker was treated and evacuated by stretcher to hospital; the missing person search was ongoing.

Outcome: injured walker evacuated by stretcher to hospital; missing person search in progress

A mountain biker suffered a suspected broken leg on the mountainside above Pontsticill in the Brecon Beacons and was rescued by the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team with assistance from local residents. The casualty was treated for pain relief and splint immobilisation before being carried off the mountain to an awaiting ambulance and taken to hospital.

Outcome: casualty evacuated by stretcher to hospital

A paramotorist crashed and was assisted by emergency services. The pilot subsequently expressed gratitude to the teams involved in the response.

Two women who travelled from Gwent to visit waterfalls between Pontneddfechan and Ystradfellte became lost in the area during lockdown. A search party of over 20 volunteers from Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team, police, and rescue dog teams located and escorted them back to the car park. Both were subsequently fined by police for breaching coronavirus regulations.

Outcome: located and escorted back to car park, fined for lockdown breach

A man was rescued from a mountain above Aberdare after spending the night in sub-zero temperatures unable to raise the alarm. A passer-by alerted emergency services, and a joint operation involving South Wales Police, Central Beacons Mountain Rescue, and the Welsh Ambulance Service brought him to safety. He was treated for prolonged hypothermia.

Outcome: rescued and treated for prolonged hypothermia, evacuated by stretcher to ambulance

A walker fell and injured her back and arm at Sgwd y Pannwr waterfall in the Brecon Beacons. She was winched into a coastguard rescue helicopter and airlifted to hospital. Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team assisted with the rescue.

Outcome: airlifted to hospital by coastguard helicopter

A 65-year-old woman was rescued from the base of Clun Gwyn waterfall in the Ystradfellte waterfalls area of the Brecon Beacons after sustaining a suspected fractured leg, hip injury and hypothermia. She was extracted by rope and stretcher and taken to hospital by ambulance.

Outcome: casualty evacuated by stretcher to hospital

A woman suffered a suspected broken ankle while walking near Sgwd yr Eira waterfall in the Brecon Beacons. Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team attended and carried her on a stretcher to a Coastguard helicopter, which airlifted her to hospital with support from Welsh Ambulance Service paramedics.

Outcome: airlifted to hospital by Coastguard helicopter

Two 16-year-old girls from an outdoor education centre group were rescued from Cader Idris on 23 August 2018 after one lost consciousness following a fall on loose ground and the other developed hypothermia symptoms. Both were winched to safety by coastguard helicopter and flown to Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth.

Outcome: both casualties winched to safety by helicopter and flown to hospital

Three separate groups of walkers were rescued from the Brecon Beacons after becoming lost in poor visibility on Saturday. The incidents involved a family in Neuadd Valley, two additional lost walkers, and a woman on Pen Y Fan. Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team and Brecon Mountain Rescue assisted in the rescues.

Outcome: all three groups rescued

Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team responded to four separate incidents on Monday, including two injured walkers on Pen y Fan and one on the hillside above Pentre village in the Rhondda Valley, with assistance from Brecon MRT, Longtown MRT, Western Beacons MRT, and coastguard and police helicopters. A family also became stranded during a riverside walk near Pontneddfechan and was brought to safety.

Outcome: casualties evacuated by helicopter and ground rescue, group brought to safety

A teenager on an organised expedition in the Brecon Beacons lost consciousness and became unwell near Aber-craf in the upper Swansea Valley. Western Beacons Mountain Rescue Team, along with colleagues from Brecon and Central Beacons teams, attended and provided care before stretchering her off the hill. She was conveyed by ambulance to hospital for further assessment.

Outcome: casualty stretchered off hill and conveyed by ambulance to hospital

Twenty-six teenagers from Hertfordshire became lost in cloud around Llyn y Fan Fach in the Brecon Beacons while undertaking a Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition. A rescue helicopter located the groups and all were safely accounted for; they were taken to hospital for precautionary checks with no serious injuries reported.

Outcome: all located safely, taken to hospital for precautionary checks with no serious injuries

A group of 43 Belgian schoolchildren became lost on Neuadd Ridge in the Brecon Beacons. Central Beacons and Brecon Mountain Rescue Teams located all the children at The Old Barn Tea Rooms in Ponsticill after initial confusion over a miscount; all were safely returned to their coach unharmed.

Outcome: all children safely located and reunited with coaches

A walker sustained a leg injury at Henrhyd Falls in the Brecon Beacons and was unable to continue walking. Three mountain rescue teams worked together to extract him from the base of the waterfall and hand him over to ambulance for transfer to hospital.

Outcome: casualty extracted and transferred to A&E by ambulance

A Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Land Rover overturned on icy roads near Aber village while the team was searching for a missing hiker on Pen y Fan. All four occupants were uninjured and able to continue the search on foot. The missing walker was subsequently located safely.

Outcome: all four occupants uninjured; vehicle lost; missing walker found safely

Three mountain rescue teams responded to multiple incidents in the Brecon Beacons over the weekend in severe weather. More than 30 walkers were rescued from three separate incidents, including a group of 23 Duke of Edinburgh's Award participants who became lost in the Carmarthen Fans. All walkers were brought to safety, with one person hospitalised as a precaution and two others evacuated by stretcher.

Outcome: all walkers rescued; one hospitalised as precaution, two carried down by stretcher, remainder walked off

A 51-year-old woman from Wiltshire sustained an injury while caving in the Llangattock caves near Crickhowell on Tuesday. After being brought to the surface by her group, mountain rescue teams and the RAF Sea King helicopter coordinated her evacuation and transfer to University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff.

Outcome: airlifted by RAF Sea King helicopter to University of Wales Hospital

A boy became ill on a mountainside at Llyn y Fan Fach in the Brecon Beacons and was evacuated by RAF Search and Rescue Helicopter. Mountain rescue teams from multiple agencies were diverted from an urban search for a missing woman to assist with the casualty.

Outcome: casualty evacuated by Search and Rescue Helicopter RAF 169

A pupil broke his ankle after falling from a pathway during a charity walk near Ystradfellte. He was airlifted to hospital by Central Beacons Mountain Rescue volunteers and later recovered sufficiently to present the team with a £700 cheque raised during the walk.

Outcome: casualty airlifted to Prince Charles Hospital

Four men were rescued from Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons after becoming disorientated in bad weather and high winds. One of the men was suffering from a heart condition and required stretcher evacuation; the other three were assisted off the hill. All four reached safety and the casualty was transported to hospital.

Outcome: casualty stretcher evacuated to hospital, three others assisted from the hill

Two ice climbers were injured in a fall at Torpentau Waterfalls in the Brecon Beacons and were airlifted by RAF Sea King helicopter to Cardiff accident and emergency. Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team and three neighbouring teams responded to the incident.

Outcome: airlifted by RAF helicopter to Cardiff accident and emergency

A mountain rescue team member was airlifted after sustaining head injuries while assisting a 71-year-old walker who had slipped and broken his lower leg on Pen y Fan in atrocious conditions. The rescue operation, involving 36 volunteers from four teams, took six hours in heavy snow and freezing temperatures. The same day, a light aircraft crashed on the mountain; its pilot managed to walk away and was aided by passing walkers including two doctors.

Outcome: casualty and rescue team member airlifted to hospital; aircraft pilot walked off with assistance

A 22-year-old man was injured during a canyoning fall near the top of the Neath Valley and was airlifted to hospital by RAF helicopter. The casualty sustained injuries to his back and hip whilst descending with a group of twelve people. He was winched 230 feet into the helicopter and flown to Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil.

Outcome: airlifted to hospital by helicopter with back and hip injuries