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RAF helicopter makes emergency landing on mountain top in Snowdonia, Wales | RAF helicopter makes emergency landing on mountain top in Snowdonia, Wales |
(35 minutes later) | |
Emergency services responded to a fire incident involving an RAF helicopter at a mountain peak in Snowdonia, northwest Wales, after it was forced to land following a technical problem. | |
The Ministry of Defence says the Griffin training helicopter made a precautionary landing following a technical issue. | |
All on board exited safely before the helicopter caught fire, it says. | |
There was confusion around how many people were in the helicopter, with Maritime and Coastguard Agency says six, the Ministry of Defence saying four. | |
Walkers on the mountain reported seeing 10ft-high (3 meter) flames. | Walkers on the mountain reported seeing 10ft-high (3 meter) flames. |
Firefighters, the police and ambulance services are at the scene in the Yr Aran areas of the mountain. | |
An air ambulance has been sent to Watkin Path, Llanberis, which leads to the summit. | |
A coastguard helicopter has also been called to support rescuers. | A coastguard helicopter has also been called to support rescuers. |
A spokesperson for the Welsh Ambulance Service said: “We were called at about 1.50pm to reports of an incident in the Snowdonia area. | A spokesperson for the Welsh Ambulance Service said: “We were called at about 1.50pm to reports of an incident in the Snowdonia area. |
“The Wales Air Ambulance has been sent to respond and is currently in attendance at the scene.” | “The Wales Air Ambulance has been sent to respond and is currently in attendance at the scene.” |
A witness tweeting from the scene, Huw Price, says the fire is “huge.” | A witness tweeting from the scene, Huw Price, says the fire is “huge.” |
“Can see flames from here. One guy on his way down from the summit and he saw a helicopter land there. Another had binoculars and reckons flames 10ft plus. | “Can see flames from here. One guy on his way down from the summit and he saw a helicopter land there. Another had binoculars and reckons flames 10ft plus. |
“Two rescue helicopters have been circling but seem to have gone now,” he added. | “Two rescue helicopters have been circling but seem to have gone now,” he added. |
Another witness told the Sun: "There was no bang or explosion, I thought it had flown away until a few minutes later when I noticed the fire. | |
"You could see the flames from Snowdon and the smoke was thick and black." | |
Griffin training helicopters are used at the Search and Rescue Training Unit RAF Valley on Angelsey. |