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Following the tragic deaths of three individuals at a popular waterfall trail in the Brecon Beacons, a coroner has called for clearer signage and improved mobile phone reception in the area. Helen and Rachael Patching, aged 52 and 33 from Kent, passed away in January 2023, while Corey Longdon, a 26-year-old from Gloucester, died in June 2024 during separate visits to the location known as Waterfall Country. The assistant coroner for south Wales central, Rachel Knight, announced her intention to issue a prevention of future deaths report addressing these concerns, highlighting the challenges posed by poor phone connectivity.
The inquest hearings for the three fatalities were convened together due to the similar circumstances and location surrounding the incidents, although Assistant Coroner Knight noted this approach was “unusual.” Helen and Rachael Patching, who had married in 2015, shared a passion for the outdoors and were described by their families as a “perfect match” who left a “deep and lasting impact” on those around them. Helen, who worked for the probation service, was found on 5 January 2023 at Sgwd y Pannwr waterfall after being reported missing, with Rachael’s body discovered days later in the River Neath near a nearby campsite. Their families emphasized that neither woman was likely to have entered the water intentionally, citing their experience as walkers and the fact they appeared fully clothed when last seen, suggesting one may have fallen in while the other attempted a rescue.
Corey Longdon’s death was the most recent, occurring in June 2024. He had been camping overnight near Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn before setting off on a walk. According to his aunt, Lisa Lane, Corey separated from her to take a shortcut, after which a loud splash and cries for help were heard. Witnesses later reported hearing the sound of a man falling down a mountainside and into the water from a cliff approximately 30 meters high at Precipice Walk. Despite being airlifted to hospital, Longdon suffered a cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead the same day. The coroner concluded the cause of death for all three victims as accidental drowning for Helen and Rachael, and brain injury resulting from a fall for Corey.
Waterfall Country, near Ystradfellte, is a highly frequented destination attracting around 250,000 walkers annually, many following the well-known Four Waterfalls Walk covering approximately 9 kilometers. However, the management of the site involves multiple authorities, including the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and Natural Resources Wales, contributing to a complex ownership landscape. Catherine Mealing-Jones, CEO of the National Park Authority, acknowledged ongoing safety concerns and efforts to improve public awareness, such as closing hazardous paths and increasing staff presence at entry points. Despite appeals from families affected by previous accidents to install life-saving rings, the authority declined, fearing it might encourage risky behavior or convey that swimming is safe. Mealing-Jones expressed continual anxiety over visitors’ safety, commenting that the authority “holds our breath, literally every day, hoping people will be safe.” Further efforts include regular meetings of a joint safety advisory group dedicated to the site’s management
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