RAF river rescue in Powys

A trapped motorist had to be airlifted to safety by the RAF after his vehicle became stuck in fast flowing waters on a river in Powys.

The 60-year-old was trapped in his 4×4 jeep for more than two hours after he attempted to cross a ford on the River Rhiw near Welshpool yesterday afternoon.

Firefighters were called to help the man at 3.50pm but their rescue attempts were hampered because of the fast flowing water.

Fire crews also tried to pull the man’s vehicle to safety using a tractor but the conditions on the stretch of river, near the village of Manafon, meant they were unable to, sparking the call for RAF help.

An RAF Sea King Search and Rescue helicopter from RAF Valley, on Anglesey, was scrambled to the scene to help the man at about 4.45pm, arriving about 55 minutes later to winch him to safety.

It is not clear whether he needed any treatment but ambulance crews were not called for.