Michael Byrne (Frenchy)
Frenchy saved Matthew’s life by using his extensive mountaineering experience and quick thinking to search the debris near the tongue of the avalanche. On successfully finding Matthew, Frenchy dug him out and cleared the snow from his mouth to help him regain consciousness.
A true hero in every sense of the word.
Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team
The team deployed one Land Rover Ambulance and 7 team members from their headquarters at Porthmadog, and arrived on the scene in good time. Despite challenging conditions, the team quickly immobilised Matthew using a vacuum mattress (to prevent movement of the spine) and stretchered him a considerable distance down the mountain to Glaslyn Lake where the helicopter could land.
Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team
Despite a large number of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team personnel being committed with an earlier incident, the team was still able to send members who played a crucial role in safely moving Matthew from steep ground down to the rescue helicopter.
22 Squadron of the Royal Air Force
Matthew and Alison were evacuated from the mountain by 22 Squadron of the Royal Air Force and flown directly to Ysbyty Gwynedd.
Ysbyty Gwynedd
Thanks to the excellent medical care provided by the Doctors and Nurses at Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor, Matthew quickly made a full recovery.