Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Coroner raises safety concerns at one beauty spot Wales back three deaths Within 18 months.
Pontypridd Coroner’s Court heard Rachael, 33, and Helen Patching, 52, died while visiting Ystradfellte Falls in Powys in 2023, and Corey Longdon, 26, died en route to the same location in 2024.
A joint inquiry heard on Thursday that more safety measures were needed to prevent future deaths on the popular walking route.
Assistant Coroner Rachel Knight said she was concerned about the “non-existent” phone signal in the area and said the route was signposted in a way that could confuse inexperienced hikers.
Located in Banau Breconneog National Park (formerly known as the Brecon Beacons), the falls form part of a scenic walk that attracts thousands of visitors every year.
The investigation heard that the Patchins, who are from Kent, both loved nature and outdoor activities and had traveled to Wales for walking holidays.
The couple drowned in Sgwd y Pannwr in January 2023 and a member of the public discovered their bodies in the water and alerted emergency services.
Their belongings, including walking sticks and backpacks, were found on the river bank.
It is believed one of the women slipped and the other jumped into the water to save her wife.
A statement read in court on behalf of Rachel’s family said: “The loss of Rachel and Helen has been devastating to our family and friends.
“We don’t want another tragic accident to happen at this location and have another family face what we went through.”
The family raised concerns about a lack of mobile services in the area, making it difficult to seek help, and said there were insufficient warning signs at the falls.
Mr Longden was walking on the path with his aunt Lisa Lane in June 2024 and is believed to have fallen while trying to find a shortcut to the falls.
In a statement read to the court, Ms Lane said she heard a “huge splash” and “someone screaming for help” after her nephew disappeared from view.
The inquest heard Mr Longden, from Gloucester, was airlifted to hospital but his injuries were “unsaveable”.
His family also believes he was not given adequate instructions about the dangers of the route he took.
Bannau Brecheniog National Park Authority (BBNPA) chief executive Catherine Mealing-Jones said both signage and social media channels were used to raise awareness of safety issues.
She said she was “satisfied” that the most common entrances to the trail were properly signposted, and warned that other measures such as life preservers could create additional dangers in the water or encourage people to swim.
Samuel Jones, representing Natural Resources Wales (NRW), said there had been “significant investment, new routes and fencing” near the site of Longdon’s fall to improve safety.
“These organizations do take their responsibilities very seriously and they have to balance their responsibilities with the need to protect the environment at these sites,” he added.
“The ultimate reality of places like this is that people can go where they choose to go and understand the risks of doing so.”
Ms Knight’s report was written to NRW, the BBNPA and other local authorities, who she said must do more to improve visitor safety.
She said: “I am concerned that phone reception is poor or non-existent in many of the busiest and most remote places where the most serious incidents occur.
“Consideration should be given to addressing this issue.”
The coroner added that the trails were not clearly explained for visitors with the least hiking experience and signs informing people of closures were in a “sub-optimal position”.