Fall man is 'lucky to be alive'

By Wena Alun Owen BBC News website

Matthew Jagger said he owes his life to the rescue team Walkers warned to be properly equipped Matthew Jagger talks of his fear before his rescue

A student who had to be airlifted to safety after falling over 400ft (130m) while walking on Snowdon says he is "lucky to be alive".

Matthew Jagger, 20, from Manchester, said he made a "stupid mistake" going up the mountain with four friends without crampons or an ice axe.

He said he was "freezing" and worried the snow would crumble beneath him.

Mr Jagger, who used a wind-up torch to help a rescue helicopter find him, escaped with a few bruises.

He added he wanted to help his rescuers to get the safety message across.

"When we started off it was a nice cold day, we could see the sky as the sun was out," said the Bangor university student.

"As we got higher however the weather got worse and we decided to walk down the tourist track (along the railway line) as we thought it would be easier.

"Me and a friend were walking in front of the others and we hit some ice, my friend slipped, then my legs started going."

Mr Jagger managed to grab hold of some rocks to break his fall, but said he could not see where his friend had gone, although he realised he must have fallen further down the mountain than he had.

"I couldn't see where he was, but I came to a stop about two metres from a cliff edge."

He admitted the group had made a "stupid mistake" in not getting kitted out with crampons and ice axes.

"We didn't think we'd need them," he said.

"I was just so very lucky as I only suffered a few bruises and I can't believe I'm still walking around."

His friend is believed to have suffered five broken ribs and a punctured lung and was taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd hospital at Bangor.

Mr Jagger said he did not know how long he had waited to be rescued, but said the cold was overwhelming.

"I can't say how cold I was, it was really cold, I've never been that cold."

After his fall, Mr Jagger came to rest in a small "indent in the snow".

"I could feel my feet on something, but it felt that it could crumble at any point," he said.

When the rescue helicopter arrived Mr Jagger used his wind-up torch to attract attention.

He said that, following his experience, he wanted to help get the safety message out - that the conditions meant anyone venturing up the mountain should have extra clothing, food, survival blanket, crampons and ice-axes.

"I just can't tell you how grateful I am to those who helped me. I owe them my life," he added.

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