A 19-year-old man is undergoing treatment for severe injuries after a serious traffic collision on the A5 in north-west Wales on Sunday, 13 July. The incident, which occurred shortly after 2.30pm, has prompted emergency services to launch a full-scale response and led to major travel disruption in the region.
According to North Wales Police, the crash involved a blue Yamaha motorcycle and a grey Audi Q7. The tragic event unfolded about a mile north of Capel Curig, situated within the scenic boundaries of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. This stretch of the A5 is a well-known route among motorists and tourists alike, offering picturesque views but also subject to heavy traffic, especially during the summer months.
Emergency services responded promptly following an alert at 2:38pm, and the Wales Air Ambulance was swiftly dispatched to the scene. Paramedics provided on-site treatment before airlifting the motorcyclist to the Royal Stoke University Hospital, which is renowned for its specialised trauma care. As of the latest reports, the young rider remains in hospital, where he is receiving extensive medical attention.
The severity of the collision necessitated the full closure of the A5 between Capel Curig (Conwy) and Bethesda (Gwynedd) to facilitate both rescue operations and detailed investigations by traffic police. The closure has had a significant impact on local travel, with diversions now channelling traffic via the A470 and A55. The change has sparked congestion and delays, particularly around the tourist hotspot of Betws-y-Coed, with authorities urging drivers to plan alternate routes.
Sergeant Alun Jones from North Wales Police’s Roads Policing Unit addressed the public’s concern over the incident. He has promised regular updates regarding the status of the road closure as detectives continue their enquiries. This area has unfortunately seen similar incidents; only a fortnight ago, a comparable crash prompted an overnight closure on the same route, highlighting ongoing safety concerns.
The police are actively seeking assistance from the public in piecing together the events that led up to the collision. Sergeant Jones issued an appeal for any witnesses or individuals who may have dashcam recordings from the area near the time of the crash to come forward. “We are urging anybody who may have witnessed the collision, or anybody travelling near this location with dashcam footage, to contact us,” he stated, requesting that information be supplied quoting reference number C105730. Reports can be submitted through the North Wales Police website or by phoning 101.
Following high-profile road traffic incidents such as these, local authorities often carry out comprehensive reviews of driver behaviour, road conditions, and emergency response times, to determine if further safety measures are required. In the context of Eryri National Park—where roads can be both scenic and challenging—the balance of promoting tourism and maintaining public safety often becomes a point of local debate.
Meanwhile, the community response has been a mix of concern and frustration due to the extended road closure and resultant traffic, though there is widespread support for the ongoing investigation and hopes for the injured rider’s recovery. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by road users, especially those on two wheels, and the need for continued vigilance on rural roads.
Anyone with information is encouraged to assist the investigation to help build a clearer picture of the events and potentially prevent future tragedies. Police maintain that updates on the victim’s condition and the reopening of the road will be shared as soon as possible.
This latest collision, occurring amid the busy summer season, underscores the importance of road safety initiatives and the vital role of rapid emergency response. The full circumstances around the cause of the crash remain under investigation.