A MAN suffered a suspected broken neck after falling off his bike and onto his head while on a family outing in Snowdonia.

The incident in occurred the Penmachno area on Sunday and saw a man fall over his handlebars and land on the "crown of his head" while riding in the mountain bike trails.

A spokesperson for Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team said: "A local family rode up from Betws Y Coed onto the mountain bike trails in Penmachno but, while descending into the village, dad went over the bars landing on the crown of his head.

"Lack of signal saw friends in the village initially asked to help including a local team member.

"It was quite clear that the casualty had all the signs of a c-spine fracture and a full call-out was initiated with paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service attending too."

North Wales Chronicle: Photo credit - Barnaby Prees/Dave Brown (Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation) Photo credit - Barnaby Prees/Dave Brown (Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation)

The spokesperson added: "Having not moved for over an hour, the by now cold casualty was covered in a Blizzard Survival Systems blanket, placed in a full body vacuum mattress to stabilise his neck and back and then into a team stretcher.

"A short but tricky stretcher carry saw everyone back onto the forestry track for a further 300 metre carry to the waiting ambulance and further care.

"Well done to the local friends who ran around to phone for help, pass messages and act as guides for the night it was appreciated."

The state of the man's current condition is unknown.