A 16-YEAR-old boy from Droitwich was involved in a dramatic night-time mountain rescue.

The boy, who has not been named, was airlifted to safety from Snowdonia after calling for help on Saturday afternoon.

Atrocious weather conditions in the Welsh mountains meant a helicopter had difficulty landing after a rescue team used a mobile phone to locate the group.

The group was eventually discovered by a search and rescue dog on Glyder Fawr, north of Mount Snowdon, in low cloud and rain at midday. The boy was one of a team of 12 that was walking in Snowdonia as part of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme run by Droitwich Spa High School.

Headteacher Allan Foulds said the boy was expected back at school by the end of the week.

The boy was treated for back injuries by a paramedic and members of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team before being airlifted to Gwynedd Hospital in Bangor, north Wales, which routinely deals with people stranded on Snowdon.

Droitwich High headteacher Allan Foulds said the group had raised the alarm after the Year 12 pupil had complained of muscle spasms in his back.

Mr Foulds added: "I am impressed by the speed and thoroughness of the response."

He stressed the group was accompanied by two teachers and an instructor, all qualified in mountain walking.

A Gwynedd hospital spokeswoman said the boy's injuries had not been serious and he was discharged yesterday.