A Chinook aircraft had to be drafted in to tow an RAF rescue helicopter to base after it broke down during a call-out.
The helicopter from RAF Valley on Anglesey had been on a rescue in Snowdonia on Saturday when it was forced to land with difficulties.
RAF personnel stood guard for the rest of the weekend at the landing site at Nant Peris near Llanberis.
The helicopter was airlifted across the skies by the larger Chinook in what was described as a "fairly simple pick-up".
One eye witness caught the airlift after he rushed out on hearing the noise of the Chinook.
"I heard it fly over and realised it was a Chinook because it sounded so heavy," said the man, who did not want to be named.
"Then on the way back it sounded heavier still and I realised it must be carrying something," he said.
The RAF rescue helicopter had been forced to land on Saturday after it had been called to airlift a man suffering suspected liver damage after a fall.
The casualty was eventually airlifted to Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, by a second RAF rescue helicopter based at Valley.
He was discharged from hospital on Sunday after it was discovered his injuries were minor.
Engineering work is being carried out on the RAF helicopter.
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