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North Wales Live
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Gut-lurching moment huge rockface collapses near walkers at popular North Wales slate quarry
A student artist has described the gut-wrenching moment a huge quarry wall collapsed, sending tonnes of rock and slate thundering towards him. By chance Aran Jones, 21, caught the dramatic incident on camera at Dinorwig slate quarry, Gwynedd. He kept filming while others bolted from the area, belatedly joining them as a giant dust cloud billowed into the sky, clearly visible from the village of Llanberis below. 'If there hadn't been a large pit beneath the rockface, we could have been in trouble,' he said. Rockfalls are periodically reported at the quarry, once the world's second largest slate mine. But local people said the noise made by yesterday's incident (Wednesday, July 23) was the largest they'd heard in more than three decades. The collapse was a sobering reminder of the dangers of a site that's seen surging number of visitors in recent years. For some people, it also showed the bravery of quarry workers who reshaped a mountain above Llyn Peris often with the most rudimentary of tools. Aran, from Mynydd Llandegai near Bangor, visited the quarry during a trip back home from Cardiff, where he studies art while working as a pieman at Donald's Coffee and Pies. Having risen at 3am, he'd already climbed Crib Coch and Yr Wyddfa by the time he arrived at the quarry. 'I was by walking myself when when I heard what sounded like slates cracking and splitting,' he said. 'I'd been at the quarry a few days before and I'd heard the same sound then. 'I thought it might be the quarry's goats, standing on a ledge and dislodging slate. So I began filming, hoping to spot them." Join the North Wales Live Aran continued: 'All of sudden the rockface gave way. I thought I was far enough away, so I kept filming. But had it not been for the massive pit beneath, all that rubble and debris would have come rushing towards me. 'A couple were on the path behind me. When the rockface collapsed, they came running past me, trying to get to safety. That woke me up a bit to the danger, so I began running with them.' Mountain rescue teams have repeatedly warned of the risks of visiting Gwynedd's old slate quarries. Interest in them has risen following their designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site but often they remain just as hazardous as when they were being worked. In April, staff at the Dinorwig power station reported hearing spontaneous rockfalls in a part of the quarry that climbers call the Quarry Peppermint Tower Area. Thuds of rock landing, including a 'big boom', were also heard by climbers. Around the same time, a climber was seriously injured by falling rock dislodged by a colleague above him. He was rushed to Royal Stoke Hospital's major trauma centre after being recovered by Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) and an air ambulance. Llanberis MRT had previously warned visitors to exercise extreme caution at old slate quarries. It came amid rising concerns over the number of people straying from paths and taking risks in 'dangerous places'. At the time, the MRT said: 'No Instagram story is worth the level of risk that some people are unwittingly taking.' No one was hurt by yesterday's rockfall but photos and videos appear to show smaller rocks littering a nearby public path. To guard against such incidents, site owner First Hydro Company restricts public access to some quarry areas and closes off others completely. Urging everyone to stay safe, station manager John Armstrong said the large rockfalls 'demonstrates why we don't allow unauthorised access or exploration of the quarry'. Aran suggested anyone using the quarry keeps their wits about them. 'If you hear any creaking or cracking in the rocks, get away from the area as quickly as possible,' he said. 'The old quarrymen used to listen out for these warning sounds. 'If you sense something is about to happen, at places like Dinorwig there's a good chance it might.'
North Wales Live
07-07-2025
- North Wales Live
Rescues soar on Yr Wyddfa's 'most challenging' route
The most challenging route up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) was last month the mountain's busiest for rescues. The Watkin Path saw the highest number of call-outs during an 'especially active month' for Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team (MRT). Among its deployments last month was a tragic callout involving the deaths of sisters Hajra Zahid, 29, and Haleema Zahid, 25. Having travelled to Yr Wyddfa with friends from the University of Chester, the students drowned in one of the Rhaeadrau waterfall pools that line a section of the Watkin Path. Llanberis MRT said any of its June callouts involved 'potentially serious injuries'. The team added: 'A significant number could have been avoided with better planning or preparation – especially considering how quickly conditions can change in the mountains.' The team's June logbook showed a number of incidents involving walkers getting lost and becoming stranded in bad weather. Some, wearing unsuitable clothing, had become too cold and wet to descend. In May, when 38 callouts led to 18 deployments, the Llanberis Path saw the highest number of casualties. Last month, Llanberis MRT was even busier, responding to 44 callouts and making 21 deployments, with the Watkin Path a particular focus. While Llanberis Path is probably the easiest route up Wales' highest mountain, the Watkin Path is arguably the most scenic and undoubtedly the toughest. As well as involving the most climbing of any of Yr Wyddfa's main six routes (it starts almost at sea level), the Watkin Path has steep sections with loose rock and scree. Careful footing and good navigation skills are needed to complete the ascent, especially near the summit. As a result it attracts fewer walkers. However the lower sections are busy with visitors who merely want a riverside picnic or to explore the area's industrial remains. In recent years, concerns have been voiced over the soaring popularity of the route's "Watkin Pools" – a series of cascades and plunge pools that have gained traction on social media. Taking a dip in ice-cold mountain waters, where rocks can be slippery and jagged, always carries a degree of risk. Last month the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) UK pleaded with residents and visitors to stay safe near water in Wales this summer. It followed figures showing that, in 2024, Wales had a drowning rate double the UK National average. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday Any activity in the mountains carries a degree of danger and Llanberis MRT is urging Yr Wyddfa's walkers to arrive properly prepared. Llanberis MRT figures show that, as expected, the team is busiest on Saturdays – it's when visitor numbers are at their highest.
Wales Online
16-06-2025
- Wales Online
Names and ages of women who died at Welsh beauty spot confirmed
Names and ages of women who died at Welsh beauty spot confirmed An inquest into their deaths is due to open on Wednesday Two women were pronounced dead at the scene at the Watkin Path up Yr Wyddfa (Image: Ian Lilley ) The names of two women who died in a Welsh beauty spot tragedy have been released. Hajra Zahid, 29, and Haleema Zahid, 25, were both pronounced dead at the scene having been pulled from the pools near Yr Wyddfa's Watkin Path last Wednesday evening. Emergency services were called to the scene, in the Nant Gwynant area of Gwynedd, at around 9.30pm. One of the women had already been pulled from the water, according to police, while the second woman remained in the pools when emergency services arrived. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. Rescuers pulled the second woman from the water but both died at the scene, a North Wales Police spokesman previously confirmed. Inquests into the women's deaths are scheduled to open in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, on Wednesday, June 18. Article continues below As well as North Wales Police the multi-agency response to the incident involved Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, the Wales Air Ambulance, and the Coastguard. Following the tragedy police said investigations were continuing. The force is appealing for anyone who was walking in the Watkin Path area between 6pm and 9pm to contact officers. The Watkin Pools, a series of waterfalls popularised on social media, are on Hafod y Llan land owned by National Trust Cymru. A spokesman said: 'We're aware of the incident at Afon Cwm Llan (also known as the Watkin Pools) on Wednesday, June 11. 'We share our deepest condolences with their family and friends at this difficult time. 'A police investigation is continuing and we can't comment further.' Jurgen Dissmann, chair of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, posted an online message about the tragedy. He said: 'On behalf of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team I extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the two women who sadly lost their lives. 'This was a complex and difficult callout for the team and we would like to thank our emergency service colleagues and Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team for their continued support and assistance during this callout.' Article continues below Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.
Wales Online
13-06-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Mountain rescue team issues statement over Watkin Path pools tragedy
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Mountain rescuers have sent their "deepest sympathies" to the families and friends of two women who died at a North Wales beauty spot. The women had been visiting the pools on the Watkin path on Yr Wyddfa (formerly known as Snowdon). Llanberis Mountain Rescue Teams and Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team were involved in the incident which happened at Nant Gwynant on Wednesday at about 9.30pm. However the women, who have not been named, could not be saved. Jurgen Dissmann, Chair of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, posted an online message about the tragedy. He said: 'On behalf of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, I extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the two women who sadly lost their lives. Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community 'This was a complex and difficult callout for the team and we would like to thank our emergency service colleagues and Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team for their continued support and assistance during this callout.' (Image: Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team) North Wales Police said yesterday that they have been called out at 9.30pm on Wednesday. They were told one woman had been pulled from the pools which have become hugely popular in recent years. A second woman was reported to be still in the water. Police launched a joint operation with the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team, Air Ambulance and the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter. Despite desperate efforts to save them the two women were pronounced dead at the scene. A North Wales Police spokesperson said yesterday: "Police were called at 21:31hrs following a report that one female had been pulled from the water, and another was reported to be in the water at the pools on the Watkin Path. "The Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team were dispatched to the area along with North Wales Police, the Air Ambulance and the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter. The second female was pulled from the water, however, despite the best efforts of all involved both were pronounced dead at the scene." Just a short hike from the A498, the Watkin Path pools have long been popular but have more recently seen an explosion of interest after featuring on tourism apps such as Instagram and TikTok. Until this week, their popularity was taken granted and their use unquestioned. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
North Wales Live
13-06-2025
- North Wales Live
Mountain rescue team issues statement over Watkin Path pools tragedy
Mountain rescuers have sent their "deepest sympathies" to the families and friends of two women who died at a North Wales beauty spot. The women had been visiting the pools on the Watkin path on Yr Wyddfa (formerly known as Snowdon). Llanberis Mountain Rescue Teams and Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team were involved in the incident which happened at Nant Gwynant on Wednesday at about 9.30pm. However the women, who have not been named, could not be saved. Jurgen Dissmann, Chair of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, posted an online message about the tragedy. He said: 'On behalf of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, I extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the two women who sadly lost their lives. 'This was a complex and difficult callout for the team and we would like to thank our emergency service colleagues and Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team for their continued support and assistance during this callout.' North Wales Police said yesterday that they have been called out at 9.30pm on Wednesday. They were told one woman had been pulled from the pools which have become hugely popular in recent years. A second woman was reported to be still in the water. Police launched a joint operation with the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team, Air Ambulance and the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter. Despite desperate efforts to save them the two women were pronounced dead at the scene. A North Wales Police spokesperson said yesterday: "Police were called at 21:31hrs following a report that one female had been pulled from the water, and another was reported to be in the water at the pools on the Watkin Path. "The Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team were dispatched to the area along with North Wales Police, the Air Ambulance and the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter. The second female was pulled from the water, however, despite the best efforts of all involved both were pronounced dead at the scene." Just a short hike from the A498, the Watkin Path pools have long been popular but have more recently seen an explosion of interest after featuring on tourism apps such as Instagram and TikTok. Until this week, their popularity was taken granted and their use unquestioned.
