In a series of heartbreaking incidents, three people have lost their lives while visiting the picturesque Waterfall Country in the Brecon Beacons National Park. The coroner’s inquests have revealed the urgent need for improved safety measures and better communication of risks to visitors.
The victims include Helen and Rachael Patching, a married couple from Kent, and Corey Longdon, a holiday park entertainer from Gloucestershire. Helen Patching’s body was found at Sgwd y Pannwr on 5 January 2023, a day after the pair went missing, while Rachael Patching’s body was discovered on 8 January in the River Neath near the Spring Lake camping site in Glynneath. Corey Longdon, who was visiting the area with his aunt, fell from a cliff known as Precipice Walk and drowned on 26 June 2024.
The coroner, Rachel Knight, has expressed concern over the “unusual” nature of holding three inquests related to the same location, but noted that the issues were “similar” due to the inherent dangers of the area. She will be issuing a prevention of future deaths report, highlighting the need for improved mobile phone signal and clearer signage in the region.
Catherine Mealing-Jones, the CEO of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, acknowledged the daily struggle to ensure visitor safety, stating that the organisation “holds our breath, literally every day, hoping people will be safe.” The authority has closed one route, known as path 86, following previous accidents and has increased staff presence at entry points to warn people of the risks.
However, the inquests have revealed that more needs to be done. Andrew Lamb, a guided walk leader with decades of experience in the area, testified that the Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn waterfall is often “chaotic,” with as many as 200 people present, including 50 in swimming attire. He emphasised the need for a focus on how the area is actually used, rather than how planners envision it to be used.
The National Park Authority and Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the organisations responsible for the management of Waterfall Country, have acknowledged the need for action. Sam Jones, representing NRW, stated that significant investments have been made, including the creation of a new route and the installation of fencing, since the previous death in the area.
The tragic events have underscored the delicate balance between preserving the natural beauty of the Brecon Beacons and ensuring the safety of the thousands of visitors who flock to Waterfall Country each year. As the authorities work to implement the coroner’s recommendations, it is hoped that these senseless losses will serve as a catalyst for meaningful change, ultimately preventing future tragedies.
