A WREXHAM man was rescued early this morning (Friday) after being found by a search and rescue team in freezing conditions on a mountain in mid-Wales.

The 46-year-old man was reported missing from his home about 12.30pm on Thursday.

Dyfed Powys police found his car at the cafe car park at Pistyll Rhaeadr about 10.30pm and they alerted the North East Wales Search and Rescue Team (NEWSAR).

Ten volunteer searchers turned out along with three search dogs from the Search and Rescue Dogs Association (SARDA).

Team leader Iain Ashcroft said: “Following further information from North Wales Police the search moved to the top of the Berwyns.

“At 2.10am this morning the missing man was located sheltering in the cairn at the top of Cadair Berwyn, he was airlifted off the mountain by Rescue 122 from RAF Valley and taken to Wrexham Maelor Hospital.”

Cadair Berwyn is the highest of the Berwyn range, standing about 830m (2,732ft) high. Last night temperatures on the mountain had dropped to -2degC.

Mr Ashcroft said the man, although a keen walker, was not equipped for mountain walking in cold conditions but he did have a map.

He was found about an hour’s walk from the Pistyll Rhaeadr car park.

“It was very difficult flying conditions for RAF Valley because they were in the cloud base of freezing cloud, it wasn’t an easy job for them,” said Mr Ashcroft.

The man was treated at hospital and it is not known whether he has been detained.

NEWSAR, who operate with about 40 volunteers, provide round-the-clock search and rescue services in north east Wales, Cheshire and north Powys and average about 30 call-outs a year.