In a concerning development, a coroner has voiced safety worries about a popular walking spot in Wales after three people lost their lives there within an 18-month period. The tragic incidents occurred at the picturesque Ystradfellte waterfalls, located within the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, formerly known as the Brecon Beacons.
A joint inquest heard that Rachael, 33, and Helen Patching, 52, drowned in January 2023 after one of them slipped and fell into the water, with the other attempting a rescue. In June 2024, 26-year-old Corey Longdon also died during a visit to the same site, with his aunt reporting a “loud splash” and “someone screaming for help” before he disappeared from view.
Assistant coroner Rachel Knight expressed concerns about the “non-existent” mobile phone signal in the area, which she said could hamper efforts to call for emergency assistance. She also noted that the signposting of the walking routes may cause confusion for inexperienced hikers.
The families of the victims have echoed these worries, with Rachael’s relatives stating that the lack of mobile coverage and insufficient warning signs contributed to the tragedies. They emphasised that they “don’t want another tragic accident at this location, leaving another family to face what we have been through.”
In response, Catherine Mealing-Jones, chief executive of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority (BBNPA), acknowledged that both signage and social media channels are used to raise awareness of safety issues. However, she suggested that measures such as lifebuoy rings could create additional dangers in the water or encourage people to swim.
Samuel Jones, representing Natural Resources Wales (NRW), stated that “significant investment, new routes and fencing” had been implemented near the site of Corey Longdon’s fall in an effort to improve safety. He added that these organisations “take their responsibilities very seriously” but must balance them with the need to preserve the environment.
Nonetheless, the coroner’s report has been addressed to the NRW, the BBNPA, and other local authorities, urging them to do more to enhance visitor safety at the popular walking destination. With the tragic loss of three lives, the call for improved measures to protect those drawn to the region’s natural beauty has become increasingly urgent.
