Coroner Issues Urgent Safety Warning After Three Fatalities at Welsh Waterfall Beauty Spot
A coroner has demanded immediate safety improvements at a popular Welsh beauty spot following three tragic deaths within just 18 months. The warning comes after an inquest heard harrowing details of how two women and a young man lost their lives at the scenic Ystradfellte waterfalls in Powys.
Tragic Incidents at Picturesque Location
The Pontypridd Coroner's Court heard that Rachael, 33, and Helen Patching, 52, both from Kent, drowned in January 2023 while visiting the waterfalls during a walking holiday. Their bodies were discovered in the water at Sgwd y Pannwr by a member of the public who alerted emergency services. The couple's walking poles and rucksack were found on the riverbank, with investigators believing one woman slipped and fell while the other entered the water in a desperate attempt to rescue her wife.
Just over a year later, in June 2024, 26-year-old Corey Longdon from Gloucester lost his life at the same location. His aunt, Lisa Lane, told the inquest she heard a "loud splash" followed by "someone screaming for help" after her nephew disappeared from view while apparently seeking a shortcut to the waterfall. Despite being airlifted to hospital, Mr Longdon had suffered what medical professionals described as "unsurvivable" injuries.
Families' Heartbreaking Testimonies and Safety Concerns
A statement read on behalf of Rachael Patching's family revealed the devastating impact of the double tragedy. "Losing both Rachael and Helen has been devastating to our family and friends," the statement said. "We don't want another tragic accident at this location, leaving another family to face what we have been through."
Both families raised significant concerns about safety at the beauty spot, which forms part of a popular walking trail within Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (also known as the Brecon Beacons). Their primary worries focused on two critical issues:
- The "non-existent" mobile phone signal in the area, making emergency calls virtually impossible
- Insufficient and confusing warning signage that fails to adequately alert visitors to potential dangers
Coroner's Formal Recommendations for Improvement
Assistant coroner Rachel Knight has issued a formal report calling for action from several organisations, including Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority (BBNPA), and local authorities. Her concerns centre on multiple safety deficiencies at the site, which attracts thousands of visitors annually.
"I am concerned that the phone signal is poor to non-existent at many of the busiest and most remote locations, where most serious incidents occur," Ms Knight stated. "A solution to this issue should be considered."
The coroner also highlighted problems with visitor guidance, noting that paths are not clearly explained for those with minimal hiking experience and that signs indicating route closures are placed in "suboptimal positions." She emphasised that the way routes are currently signposted may cause confusion for inexperienced walkers.
Organisational Responses and Safety Balancing Act
Catherine Mealing-Jones, chief executive of BBNPA, told the inquest that both physical signage and social media channels are used to raise awareness of safety issues. She expressed satisfaction that the most common access points to the trail have appropriate signage but warned against implementing certain safety measures.
"Other measures, such as lifebuoy rings, could cause additional dangers in the water or encourage people to swim," Ms Mealing-Jones explained, highlighting the complex balance between visitor safety and environmental preservation.
Samuel Jones, representing Natural Resources Wales, reported that "significant investment, new routes and fencing" had been implemented near the site of Mr Longdon's fall. However, he acknowledged the inherent challenges of managing such locations.
"These organisations do take their responsibilities very seriously and they have to balance their responsibilities with the need to preserve the environment in these locations," Mr Jones stated. "The ultimate reality of a place like this is that people can go where they choose to go and understand the risk in doing so."
The coroner's report now places formal responsibility on the relevant authorities to address these safety concerns and implement measures that could prevent further tragedies at this popular but potentially hazardous beauty spot.
