9 Feb 2026 Helen Patching and 2 others · Prevention of Future Deaths report South Wales Central
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Concerns raised 4 Failure to provide information enabling walkers to understand official routes, path closures and risks View source Inadequate signage addressing the risk of accidental falling View source Poor or non-existent mobile telephone signal in remote areas View source High rate of trips and slips in Waterfall Country View source See 1 more concern
Actions described in response An action is something this recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised. 8
Action
Improve waymarking to guide visitors toward locations with more reliable multi-network emergency signal coverage.
View source
Action
Close and remove Footpath 86 from the Rights of Way network, with onsite measures notifying visitors of the closure.
View source
Action
Support coordinated safety messaging and visitor management through the Waterfalls Area Safety Advisory Group.
View source
Action
Provide Rights of Way advice and oversight for pathway changes and progress formal adoption processes where required.
View source
Action
Hold regular multi-agency safety meetings, review accident feedback and coordinate preventative communications, signage and information.
View source
Action
Fund wardens and visitor engagement staff to provide face-to-face safety advice at managed car parks and visitor access points.
View source
Action
Provide accessible routes, wayfinding, maps and safety information for Waterfall Country visitors.
View source
Action
Invest in signal-boosting measures and radios, and use the Airwave system to improve emergency communications for response teams.
View source See 5 more actions
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AI-generated summary
Helen Patching and 2 others · Prevention of Future Deaths report
This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.
Report summary
Helen Patching, Rachael Patching and Corey Longdon died accidental deaths in Waterfall Country within Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. The principal concerns were inadequate signage about the risk of accidental falling, walkers’ lack of understanding of routes and risks, and poor mobile telephone signal delaying alerts to emergency services.
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× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to provide information enabling walkers to understand official routes, path closures and risks
Wider context from the report “(2) A previous Prevention of Future Death report has led to the erection of signage concerning the risk of drowning in the water itself. However, the current signage provision does not adequately address the significant additional risk of accidental falling. Many walkers fail to understand the official routes, closed and open paths and the significant risks they face ;
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Inadequate signage addressing the risk of accidental falling
Wider context from the report “(2) A previous Prevention of Future Death report has led to the erection of signage concerning the risk of drowning in the water itself. However, the current signage provision does not adequately address the significant additional risk of accidental falling . Many walkers fail to understand the official routes, closed and open paths and the significant risks they face;
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Poor or non-existent mobile telephone signal in remote areas
Wider context from the report “(4) Mobile telephone signal is poor to non-existent in certain more remote areas , which creates delay in alerting emergency services when accidents do occur .
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation High rate of trips and slips in Waterfall Country
Wider context from the report “(1) There is a high rate of accidents, including some fatal accidents, from trips and slips in the area known as Waterfall Country ;
” Open source report
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Improve waymarking to guide visitors toward locations with more reliable multi-network emergency signal coverage.
Verbatim wording from the response “Responsibility for mobile network provision lies with telecommunication providers, however the Authority recognises the implications of limited coverage in emergency situations. In partnership with NRW, work is underway to improve waymarking to” Source location Response from Bannau Brycheiniog National Park
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Close and remove Footpath 86 from the Rights of Way network, with onsite measures notifying visitors of the closure.
Verbatim wording from the response “Following continued erosion on the route of Footpath 86 in August 2022, the Authority took steps to close and remove the path from the Rights of Way network. This was completed on 1 February, 2024, through legal order and in line with relevant” Source location Response from Bannau Brycheiniog National Park
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Support coordinated safety messaging and visitor management through the Waterfalls Area Safety Advisory Group.
Verbatim wording from the response “Through the Waterfalls Area Safety Advisory Group, the Authority continues to work in partnership with NRW and other stakeholders to ensure a consistent and co-ordinated approach to safety messaging and visitor management. Additional signage has also been installed to clearly indicate permanent path closures and diversions.” Source location Response from Bannau Brycheiniog National Park
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Provide Rights of Way advice and oversight for pathway changes and progress formal adoption processes where required.
Verbatim wording from the response “The Authority’s Rights of Way team is supporting NRW in relation to changes to pathways and will provide advice and oversight where required. Where pathways need to be formally adopted as legal Public Rights of Way, these will be progressed through those processes, as required, to ensure that new pathways are reflected on Ordnance Survey maps.” Source location Response from Bannau Brycheiniog National Park
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Hold regular multi-agency safety meetings, review accident feedback and coordinate preventative communications, signage and information.
Verbatim wording from the response “The Authority, together with NRW and in conjunction with other stakeholders, including Mountain Rescue and the emergency services, undertake regular safety meetings, review feedback from accidents to consider future preventative action and align communications, signage and information. The Authority invests in the provision of wardens and visitor engagement staff at their car parks and those we manage for NRW, to provide face-to-face advice and guidance to visitors; this is funded through car park income but, also through the Authority’s core resources.” Source location Response from Bannau Brycheiniog National Park
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Fund wardens and visitor engagement staff to provide face-to-face safety advice at managed car parks and visitor access points.
Verbatim wording from the response “The Authority, together with NRW and in conjunction with other stakeholders, including Mountain Rescue and the emergency services, undertake regular safety meetings, review feedback from accidents to consider future preventative action and align communications, signage and information. The Authority invests in the provision of wardens and visitor engagement staff at their car parks and those we manage for NRW, to provide face-to-face advice and guidance to visitors; this is funded through car park income but, also through the Authority’s core resources.” Source location Response from Bannau Brycheiniog National Park
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Provide accessible routes, wayfinding, maps and safety information for Waterfall Country visitors.
Verbatim wording from the response “The Authority works in partnership with Natural Resources Wales, hereafter referred to as NRW, who are the principal landowner to provide more accessible routes (the red and green route) which have better surfaced pathways, way marking and safety information. Maps and signage are provided online, at the site and around the walk.” Source location Response from Bannau Brycheiniog National Park
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Invest in signal-boosting measures and radios, and use the Airwave system to improve emergency communications for response teams.
Verbatim wording from the response “The Authority continues to work with partners to explore further improvements as opportunities arise. Recently EE reception has become available in Ystradfellte for example. In the interim, the Authority has invested in signal-boosting measures and new radios to support the warden and visitor engagement teams. These have significantly improved communications, enabling first responders to contact emergency services sooner. The Authority continues to utilise the Airwave system with Mountain Rescue and the emergency services, supporting effective response times.” Source location Response from Bannau Brycheiniog National Park
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation The area’s inherent natural hazards cannot be removed without fundamentally altering its protected characteristics and designated habitats.
Verbatim wording from the response “These features represent inherent natural hazards which cannot be removed without fundamentally altering the protected characteristics of the area and its designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC) protected habitat.” Source location Response from Bannau Brycheiniog National Park
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Responsibility for improving mobile network coverage lies with telecommunications providers, not the Authority.
Verbatim wording from the response “Responsibility for mobile network provision lies with telecommunication providers, however the Authority recognises the implications of limited coverage in emergency situations. In partnership with NRW, work is underway to improve waymarking to” Source location Response from Bannau Brycheiniog National Park
Open published response
Concerns raised 2 Failure to provide adequate warning signage at points where individuals may decide to enter the water View source Failure of waterfall signage to provide clear, concise warnings about the power and dangers of the water View source
No linked response statements No action or position from this recipient is clearly linked to the concerns in this report.
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AI-generated summary
Akeem Jevaughn RHODEN · Prevention of Future Deaths report
This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.
Report summary
Akeem Jevaughn Rhoden, aged 22, drowned after voluntarily jumping from a rock into the water at Sgwd y Pannwr Waterfall on 5 June 2021; he was not a strong swimmer and his body was recovered the following day. The concerns raised were that warning signs at waterfalls in Waterfall Country were inadequate, absent at the point where he entered the water, overloaded with information, and did not clearly explain the danger posed by the force of the water.
Read the report on judiciary.uk
× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to provide adequate warning signage at points where individuals may decide to enter the water
Wider context from the report “(1) The signage at ALL waterfalls in ‘Waterfall Country’ must be addressed;
(2) Akeem Roden was not a strong swimmer and there were no adequate signs at the point he jumped in to warn him of the potential dangers and that he might drown;
(3) Signage at each waterfall should be in plain, bold, easily understandable English, spelling out the danger of the power of the water;
(4) Existing signage is overloaded with information and not present at the point where individuals may decide to enter the water .
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure of waterfall signage to provide clear, concise warnings about the power and dangers of the water
Wider context from the report “(1) The signage at ALL waterfalls in ‘Waterfall Country’ must be addressed;
(2) Akeem Roden was not a strong swimmer and there were no adequate signs at the point he jumped in to warn him of the potential dangers and that he might drown;
(3) Signage at each waterfall should be in plain, bold, easily understandable English, spelling out the danger of the power of the water ;
(4) Existing signage is overloaded with information and not present at the point where individuals may decide to enter the water.
” Open source report
26 Jul 2022 Hemanta Kumar Rai · Prevention of Future Deaths report South Wales Central
View report summary
Concerns raised 2 Unclear responsibility for the particular area View source Failure to provide adequate, clear signage warning of the risk of death by drowning View source
No linked response statements No action or position from this recipient is clearly linked to the concerns in this report.
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AI-generated summary
Hemanta Kumar Rai · Prevention of Future Deaths report
This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.
Report summary
Hemanta Kumar Rai, aged 28, drowned in August 2021 after a strong current pulled him underwater towards a waterfall while he was visiting South Wales. The concerns were inadequate and unclear signage warning of the risk of death by drowning, and uncertainty about responsibility for the area.
Read the report on judiciary.uk
× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Unclear responsibility for the particular area
Wider context from the report “(4) It is very unclear who bears responsibility for this particular area, which borders 3 local authority areas, and falls within the National Park and NRW jurisdiction.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to provide adequate, clear signage warning of the risk of death by drowning
Wider context from the report “(1) There is no adequate signage to warn visitors of the risk of drowning by entering the water at Sgwd Gwladys.
(2) Existing signage in “Waterfall Country” is overloaded with a variety of information, which although helpful for walking routes etc, is not explicit in warning of the real danger of death from entering the water.
(3) Any sign(s) erected ought to be easily visible, in plain English and spell out the risk of death by drowning.
” Open source report
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Request correction
Addressed to “Brecon Beacons National Park Authority”, a former name of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority.
Information checked against published PFD reports and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations