Royal Wootton Bassett 3rd XV player, Darren Sylvester, played a major part in a mountain rescue on Pen y Fan recently and appeared in an ITV news programme.
Dog walker Adam Phillips fell 500 feet from the top of Pen y Fan after chasing his spaniel Marshall off the edge of the summit. As he started to look for his dog he slipped and fell 160 meters down the north side of the Brecon mountain.
After falling, Adam came to rest on a tiny ledge. Darren was the second person on scene and attenpted to reach Adam assisted by other members on the public, including Lyndon Reece, a charity firefighter who was fundraising by walking up Pen y Fan in full kit. It took the small team of rescuers around 20 minutes to reach Adam.
29-year-old Adam was airlifted to University Hospital of Wales with injuries to his face, neck, shoulders and legs. Marshall suffered cuts and a broken toe.
"As I went further down and faster and started tumbling I thought I was going to die" said Adam after the rescue. "I can't thank them enough to be honest, I've got three kids at home and a wife you know things could have been a lot worse if they didn't get there and if it weren't people like Lyndon and Darren, it could have been a lot worse. It's unbelievable the work they do and they are putting their lives on the line to help other people."
Adam was later reunited with Darren (above), Lyndon and the team at Mountain Rescue to thank them for saving his life which was featured in an ITV news story.
Well done Darren - we're sure everyone at the club will share with us in being very proud of your efforts.
