Bends diver airlifted from quarry

Divers from across the UK visit Dorothea Quarry

A 43-year-old diver who was suffering from decompression sickness has been airlifted to a hyperbaric chamber from a quarry in Gwynedd.

Holyhead Coastguard said he had been out of the water at Dorothea Quarry at Dyffryn Nantlle, Gwynedd, for 15 minutes when he experienced symptoms.

The group who were with the man, of South Shields, South Tyneside, recognised symptoms of "the bends".

A helicopter from RAF Valley airlifted the man to the Wirral for treatment.

The hyperbaric chamber there is used to help those suffering from "the bends".

The lake at Dorothea Quarry is up to 300ft (90.9m) deep in places, with a network of flooded tunnels and sheer drops.

It is a favourite training location for amateur divers from across the UK, although there are warnings about its dangers.

More than 20 people have died there since 1994.