Warning over safety at walking spot after three deaths in 18 months
A coroner has raised safety concerns after three people died in 18 months at a beauty spot in Wales.
Pontypridd Coroner’s Court heard Rachael, 33, and Helen Patching, 52, died while visiting Ystradfellte waterfalls in Powys in 2023, and Corey Longdon, 26, died during a trip to the same place in 2024.
More safety measures need to be put in place to prevent future deaths on the popular walking route, a joint inquest heard on Thursday.
Deputy coroner Rachel Knight said she had concerns about “non-existent” phone signal in the area and that the way routes were marked could cause confusion for inexperienced walkers.
Located in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, formerly known as the Brecon Beacons, the waterfalls form part of a scenic walking trail and attract thousands of visitors each year.
The inquest heard the Patchings, from Kent, loved nature and the outdoors and had traveled to Wales for a walking holiday.
The couple drowned at Sgwd y Pannwr in January 2023 and their bodies were found in the water by a member of the public who notified emergency services.
His belongings, including hiking poles and a backpack, were found on the riverbank.
It is thought that one of the women slipped and fell, while the other went into the water to save her husband.
A statement read in court on behalf of Rachael’s family said: “Losing both Rachael and Helen has been devastating to our family and friends.
“We don’t want another tragic accident to happen in this area, and we don’t want another family to face what we went through.”
The family expressed concern that the lack of mobile service in the area made it difficult to call for help, and claimed that there were not enough warning signs at the waterfall.
Mr Longdon, who was walking along the path with his aunt Lisa Lane in June 2024, is believed to have fallen while trying to find the shortcut to the waterfall.
In a statement read to the court, Ms Lane said she heard “a loud splash” and “someone screaming for help” after her nephew disappeared from sight.
The inquest heard Mr Longdon, from Gloucester, was airlifted to hospital but suffered “non-survivable” injuries.
His family also believes the dangers of the path he followed were not adequately marked.
Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority (BBNPA) chief executive Catherine Mealing-Jones said both signage and social media channels were being used to raise awareness of safety issues.
He said he was “delighted” that the most common access points to the trail had proper signage and warned that other measures, such as life rings, could cause additional hazards in the water or encourage people to swim.
Samuel Jones, representing Natural Resources Wales (NRW), said “significant investment, new routes and fencing” had been made near where Mr Longdon fell to improve safety.
“These organizations take their responsibilities very seriously and have to balance their responsibilities with the need to protect the environment in these places,” he added.
“The ultimate reality of a place like this is that people can go where they choose to go and understand the risks of doing so.”
Ms Knight’s report is aimed at NRW, BBNPA and other local authorities, who she says must do more to improve visitors’ safety.
He said: “I am concerned that phone signal is poor or non-existent in many of the busiest and most remote locations where the most serious incidents occur.
“A solution to this problem should be considered”
The coroner added that routes were not clearly explained for visitors with little walking experience and signs informing people of the closure were in “most inappropriate locations”.
