Brecon Mountain Rescue team was involved in the dramatic rescue of a group of off-road drivers in the Radnor Range at the weekend.

A group of 10 people from the West Midlands in three Land Rovers got into difficulties when one of the drivers lost control while ascending a slope. The Land Rover slipped backwards, broke through a fence, and continued for 200 meters down a gully, involving a drop of 60 metres, before disintegrating.

The three occupants were treated on the spot for head and spinal injuries and hypothermia. Efforts to treat the casualties were made more difficult by freshly fallen snow and low temperatures.

Also assisting at the scene were members of the other three South Wales Mountain Rescue teams, Central Beacons, Longtown and Western Beacons. Dyfyd Powys Police, Welsh Ambulance and HART (Hazardous Area Response Team) together with Mid and West Wales Fire service (MWWFS) and MWWFS technical support teams were also in attendance.

The three casualties were eventually winched from the scene by the emergency rescue helicopter 187 from St Athan and flown to the nearest roadside where their treatment needs were assessed and prioritised. One casualty was flown to Hereford Hospital and the other two flown to University Hospital in Cardiff.

The remaining seven members of the group were escorted from the accident scene by Mountain Rescue Team members to the safety of the road unharmed.

The Mountain Rescue Teams were eventually stood down at 10am on Saturday morning.