Warning after three die at same Welsh beauty spot

A report will be issued by a coroner in an attempt to prevent future deaths at a popular Welsh beauty spot after three people entered the water and died within the space of 18 months.

Married couple Helen Patching, 52, and Rachael Patching, 33, died in January 2023 in an area known as ‘Waterfall Country’ in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park after walking along the Four Waterfalls Walk. Helen’s body was recovered on January 5 and Rachael’s body was found on January 8 after members of the public had reported seeing the bodies of two women in the water in the Ystradfellte area.

Less than 18 months later, on June 26, 2024, Corey Longdon, 26, fell into the water while camping in the area with his auntie. He was pulled out of the water but went into cardiac arrest and was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, where he died later that day. 

A combined inquest into the three deaths was held at Pontypridd Coroners’ Court on Thursday morning (January 22).

Coroner Rachel Knight told the hearing that Rachael and Helen got married in 2015 and had travelled from their home in Kent for a new year break and walking holiday in Bannau Brycheiniog.

Ms Knight read a statement from their families in which they stated a belief that one of the walkers fell into the water before the other followed in an attempt to help. The inquest heard that both women were fully clothed when spotted in the water by witnesses.

Helen, who previously held a senior role in the probation service, had a “vigorous love of the outdoors and adventure” and had previously completed ultra challenges. Her family said the couple were “experienced and safe hikers” who were the “life and souls of their families” and a “perfect match”.

Rachael, who had worked for the IOPC and Battersea Dogs Home, was described as “happiest when walking up mountains and travelling to remote places”.

The inquest heard the alarm was raised when a fellow walker spotted a body in the water. The couple’s car was then found in a nearby car park following their disappearance and a rucksack with walking poles was found on the water’s edge. According to a post-mortem, both women’s cause of death was recorded as “drowning”.

Ms Knight also heard evidence regarding Mr Longdon’s death. In a statement his auntie said her nephew had been looking for a shortcut when she heard a “loud splash” and heard a stranger screaming for help.

She said: “Corey was looking for a shortcut down the waterfall and he said he found one. I waited as I had a broken foot. I went to follow the path he had taken but it was too steep and I had dogs with me.”

She added that she heard a splash and a “man screaming for help” at Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn in Ystradfellte. Witnesses said they saw someone “fall through trees and into the water” near a section known as Precipice Walk.

Mr Longdon, who had worked at Park Holidays UK, was taken to the University Hospital of Wales. He sustained “severe brain and chest injuries” which were described as “unsurvivable” Ms Knight recorded his cause of death as “severe hypoxia due to a traumatic cardiac arrest following a fall”.

The chief executive officer of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, Catherine Mealing-Jones, told the hearing that a section of a path known as ‘path 86’ was temporarily closed in 2022 and then permanently closed in 2024.

Mountain leader Andrew Lamb also gave evidence at the hearing. He said that a sign at the sight warning people that the footpath is closed is “not descriptive enough”. He added that “the path to Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn (one of the four waterfalls) remains very dangerous”.

Responding to questions from Ms Knight, Mr Lamb said: “This area is very, very different to most. If it’s 300,000 people coming to this area every year, that is a major impact. A good portion of those people will not be skilled (as mountaineers or walkers).

“I would like to see one route that circular. The closure of ‘path 86’ has led to chaos. The National Park Authority closed the footpath without a management plan in place to direct people or to encourage them to take other routes. My preference would be to have ‘path 86’ opened up again.”

A Regulation 28 Report - a document issued by a coroner which aims to prevent future deaths by highlighting potential risks identified during an inquest and recommending preventative actions- was previously issued concerning 'Waterfall Country’ in 2023, and new signs were put up in the area as a result.

Regarding the deaths of Helen Patching, Rachael Patching, and Corey Longdon, Coroner Ms Knight recorded formal conclusions of "accidental death" in all three cases.

She also raised concerns about "poor or non-existent" mobile phone signal in the area where the deaths occurred, and said that "better or more frequently placed explanations are required" with regards to routes.

She confirmed that she will be issuing a new Regulation 28 Report which will be sent to Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, Natural Resources Wales (which works with the authority), and any relevant local authorities.

Addressing members of all three families present in court, Ms Knight said: "I am so sorry that you have tragically lost loved ones in the prime of their lives."