A HORSE rider was airlifted to hospital after being injured in a fall above Capel-y-Ffin on Saturday.

The accident occurred on the day of the Big Black Mountains Challenge involving hundreds of walkers raising funds for charities.

Members of Longtown Mountain Rescue Team were diverted from marshalling duties to assist the rider - a 39-year-old woman, from Hereford.

The woman was treated at the scene by a team doctor and a paramedic from South Wales Ambulance Service before being airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, by a Coastguard and Maritime Agency helicopter.

Luke Lewis, Longtown MRT team leader, said, ‘Due to the mechanism of her injuries a speedy diagnosis and treatment was carried out. It was decided that helicopter support was required. We wish the lady a speedy recovery from her injuries.’

The Big Black Mountains Challenge is an annual event that has been raising money for Longtown Mountain Rescue for more than three decades.

People from across Britain came to Llanthony Abbey to test themselves on one three routes of either 17km, 27km or 50km. They set off from 7:30am and the last weary participants crossed the finish line at 9pm.

The ‘Big Blacks’ is organised by Longtown MRT and all checkpoints were staffed by team members to make sure participants made it safely round.

Mr Lewis added, ‘We’d like to thank everyone who took up the challenge, they showed great determination in completing the three routes. It’s our most important fundraising event of the year and ensures that the team can continue, as we rely almost entirely on public donations.

“We’d like to thank our sponsors Trekitt, from Hereford, who generously support this event every year. Also the Passmore family at Llanthony for their unstinting support over the last 30 years and Abergavenny Round Table which has supported the team at BBMC for many years.

“Also thanks to our team members who spent a long day out on the hill to ensure everyone made it safely through the day.