This is the moment the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter comes to the aid of a climber injured in wintry conditions on Ben Nevis.
The dramatic footage, released by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, shows rescue crews braving treacherous conditions above Britain’s highest mountain as they winch the man to safety.
The man and his partner were rope climbing on the north face of Ben Nevis on Wednesday afternoon when he fell a short distance, injuring his ankle.
Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team members were called in to assist but the injured man’s precarious position meant the rescue helicopter based at Inverness was needed to airlift the two climbers to safety.
A spokesman for the MCA said: “We hope they got a nice warm cup of tea!”
The injured climber was passed into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service. It is thought he may have suffered a broken ankle.
