A Royal Navy pilot has been awarded a medal recognising his courage in saving a stricken climber from Perth.
Lieutenant Commander Craig Sweeney has received the Air Force Cross for leading the rescue of Gareth Bradley in Argyll in blizzard conditions, plummeting temperatures and pitch darkness.
The pilot described the mission to uplift Mr Bradley on 3,074ft (937m) Beinn Sgulaird near Oban as one of the toughest rescues he has undertaken.
The crew from HMS Gannet in Prestwick, Ayrshire, flew their Sea King helicopter to the aid of Mr Bradley, who had a broken ankle, on December 18, 2011.
Lt Comm Sweeney (38), from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, said: “I am very honoured, humbled and proud to receive this award. It was a thorough team effort throughout and it reflects the efforts of all on board that day, not just me.”
“It was intense flying which relied on dozens of years of the crew’s experience and expertise, and really full-on team work…in some of the worst conditions we had experienced.”
Mr Bradley, an engineering lecturer at the University of the Highlands and Islands in Perth, said: “I am very grateful to all those involved who risked their safety to assist me.
“The fact that my rescue was successful was a credit to all involved. They were amazing, very professional, they reassured me and talked me through exactly what was happening.
“If it wasn’t for these guys I might not be here today. I was extremely relieved to see that helicopter and the aircrewman and mountain rescuers who were winched down to me.
“I pass on my thanks, once again, to Lieutenant Commander Sweeney and his crew.”
HMS Gannet’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Andy Drodge, said: “The rescue of the climber, stranded 2400ft (732m) up, in cloud, on a harsh winter night required outstanding airmanship and courage.”
Mr Bradley has not been put off climbing and instead said he hopes to join a mountain rescue team in the near future.