Three individuals have tragically lost their lives at a well-known beauty spot over the course of 18 months, prompting a coroner to call for action. The incidents involved Rachael, 33, and Helen Patching, 52, who perished at the Ystradfellte waterfalls in Powys in 2023, and Corey Longdon, 26, who met a similar fate at the same location in 2024, as revealed at the Pontypridd Coroner’s Court.
During a joint inquest, concerns were raised about the need for safety measures to prevent future fatalities along the popular walking route. Assistant coroner Rachel Knight highlighted issues such as the lack of phone signal in the area and potential confusion caused by unclear trail signage for inexperienced hikers.
Situated in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, also known as the Brecon Beacons, the waterfalls are part of a picturesque walking trail that draws numerous visitors annually.
The Patchings, hailing from Kent, were nature enthusiasts who traveled to Wales for a walking holiday. Tragically, they drowned in January 2023 at Sgwd y Pannwr, with their bodies found in the water by a passerby who alerted emergency services. Belongings belonging to the couple, including walking poles and a rucksack, were discovered on the riverbank, indicating a potential accident scenario where one slipped and the other entered the water in an attempt to rescue their partner.
A statement from Rachael’s family expressed the devastating impact of losing both Rachael and Helen, emphasizing the need to prevent further tragedies at the site. Concerns were raised about the lack of mobile service hindering emergency calls and inadequate warning signs at the waterfall location.
In a separate incident in June 2024, Mr. Longdon, accompanied by his aunt, Lisa Lane, is believed to have fallen while seeking a shortcut to the waterfall. Despite being airlifted to the hospital, Mr. Longdon succumbed to his injuries, with his family also raising concerns about insufficient warning signs along the route he took.
Catherine Mealing-Jones, the chief executive of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority (BBNPA), reassured that efforts are made to raise safety awareness through signage and social media channels. She mentioned that appropriate signage is present at the main trail access points and cautioned against additional safety measures like lifebuoy rings due to potential risks they may pose.
Representing Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Samuel Jones noted significant investments in safety enhancements near the location of Mr. Longdon’s accident. He highlighted the delicate balance between safety responsibilities and environmental preservation in such areas, acknowledging that visitors ultimately choose their paths and must be aware of associated risks.
Coroner Knight’s report directed at NRW, BBNPA, and local authorities emphasized the need for enhanced safety measures to address poor phone signal coverage at remote locations and unclear trail explanations for inexperienced hikers. Additionally, she highlighted the suboptimal placement of closure notifications along the paths.
