Tombstoning: Boy in hospital after 20m Sgwd Gwladys waterfall jump
- Published
The 13-year-old suffered suspected spinal and pelvic injuries after jumping 20m
A 13-year-old boy was airlifted to hospital after jumping 20m from a waterfall and hitting the river bed.
Western Beacons Mountain Rescue Team said it was called to the "tombstoning" incident at Sgwd Gwladys waterfall, near Pontneddfechan in Powys, just after 15:30 BST on Friday.
The teenager suffered suspected spinal and pelvic injuries, the team said.
He was placed in a vacuum mattress to immobilise his spine and winched from the area by coastguard helicopter.
The team said it sent four vehicles and 15 team members after receiving a call from the police.
Team leader Neil Butcher said the winch out had been difficult due to the location, low wind condition and several dead trees causing a hazard to rescuers on the ground.
Tombstoning is the act of jumping into water from a high platform, such as a cliff, bridge or harbour edge in a straight, upright vertical posture, resembling a tombstone.