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. 9
Action
Install waymarkers identifying a location with cross-network emergency signal for 999 calls, including its location name and What3Words reference.
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Action
Complete and operate the new Waterfall link path providing a circular route between Sgwd Clun Gwyn Isaf and the Four Falls Trail.
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Action
Resurface the Sgwd yr Eira trail to improve pedestrian and emergency-service access.
View source
Action
Create a formal viewing area at Sgwd Clun Gwyn Uchaf with a balustrade, landscaped viewpoints and cliff-edge fencing.
View source
Action
Install permanent metal fencing to further prevent access to the closed former Footpath 86 area.
View source
Action
Install a stone boardwalk between Sgwd yr Pannwr and Sgwd Isaf Clun Gwyn to improve safe access.
View source
Action
Conduct scheduled formal inspections of visitor infrastructure and managed car parks, reporting defects and taking required action.
View source
Action
Install fencing and safety signage along the Four Falls Trail and at the Sgwd Clun Gwyn Uchaf viewing area to deter hazardous access and warn of cliff edges and drops.
View source
Action
Maintain consistent visitor communications by contributing to development of the Waterfall Country Partnership Communication Strategy.
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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 Natural Resources Wales; 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 Natural Resources Wales; 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 Natural Resources Wales; 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 Natural Resources Wales; 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 Install waymarkers identifying a location with cross-network emergency signal for 999 calls, including its location name and What3Words reference.
Verbatim wording from the response “Matter of Concern 3 - “mobile telephone signal is poor to non-existent in certain more remote areas, which creates delay in alerting emergency services when accidents do occur”” Source location Response from Natural Resources Wales
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 Complete and operate the new Waterfall link path providing a circular route between Sgwd Clun Gwyn Isaf and the Four Falls Trail.
Verbatim wording from the response “15.6.5 NRW has developed a new trail which by-passes the former Footpath 86. Contractors were appointed to undertake this work which commenced in January 2026 after being delayed by a number of months due to persistent inclement weather.” Source location Response from Natural Resources Wales
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 Resurface the Sgwd yr Eira trail to improve pedestrian and emergency-service access.
Verbatim wording from the response “15.6 Recent works have been undertaken to upgrade some of the trails. By way of example:” Source location Response from Natural Resources Wales
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 Create a formal viewing area at Sgwd Clun Gwyn Uchaf with a balustrade, landscaped viewpoints and cliff-edge fencing.
Verbatim wording from the response “15.7.3 NRW is planning the creation of a formal viewing area overlooking Sgwd Clun Gwyn Uchaf waterfall incorporating a balustrade, landscaped view points and fencing near to cliff edges. The purpose of the balustrade will be to facilitate safe viewing of the waterfall, the design of which will be to reduce the potential for climbing over the balustrade to get an even closer view of the waterfall. This work is due to be completed in 2026.” Source location Response from Natural Resources Wales
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 Install permanent metal fencing to further prevent access to the closed former Footpath 86 area.
Verbatim wording from the response “15.6.4 Former Footpath 86 was closed under legal order by BBNPA following a death in August 2022. It was extinguished on 1 February 2024, following a number of temporary closures since August 2022. Footpath 86 remains closed and there is no likelihood of this reopening due to the combination of cliff rock fall hazards and the exposed and deteriorating path edge. Barriers and signage make this clear. In addition, NRW have engaged a supplier to place permanent metal fences to seek to further prevent access to this area.” Source location Response from Natural Resources Wales
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 Install a stone boardwalk between Sgwd yr Pannwr and Sgwd Isaf Clun Gwyn to improve safe access.
Verbatim wording from the response “15.6.2 In July 2025, 120m of stone boardwalk was installed between Sgwd yr Pannwr and Sgwd Isaf Clun Gwyn replacing a timber walkway improving safe access between the two waterfalls (materials for this were flown in by helicopter in 210 lifts).” Source location Response from Natural Resources Wales
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 Conduct scheduled formal inspections of visitor infrastructure and managed car parks, reporting defects and taking required action.
Verbatim wording from the response “15.8 NRW conducts scheduled formal recreation inspections of visitor infrastructure along promoted walking routes on Welsh Government Woodland Estate in Waterfall Country and NRW managed carparks. Defects identified are reported on and actions taken as required.” Source location Response from Natural Resources Wales
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 Install fencing and safety signage along the Four Falls Trail and at the Sgwd Clun Gwyn Uchaf viewing area to deter hazardous access and warn of cliff edges and drops.
Verbatim wording from the response “15.3 In September 2024, ‘Warning Cliff Edge’ signs were put in place at the Sgwd Clun Gwyn Uchaf viewing area. These were replaced in October 2025 with new NRW branded signs warning of cliff edge and sudden drops. Whilst there were no reported incidents of injuries in this location, there were reports of risky behaviour at the cliff edge hence the decision was taken to install the signage in this area.” Source location Response from Natural Resources Wales
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 Maintain consistent visitor communications by contributing to development of the Waterfall Country Partnership Communication Strategy.
Verbatim wording from the response “15.4 Given the need to develop consistent messaging so that visitors can judge for themselves the risks and whether to accept them, NRW, BBNPA and Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council (“NPTCBC”) have sought the assistance of external communication specialists. BBNPA have subsequently been leading on this element of the Waterfall Country Project with NRW and NPTCBC heavily involved in contributing to developing a Waterfall Country Partnership Communication Strategy. This work is ongoing,” Source location Response from Natural Resources Wales
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 Accident rates in Waterfall Country are broadly comparable with similar activities, and visitors are not at particularly higher likelihood of accidents.
Verbatim wording from the response “Matter of Concern 1 - “There is a high rate of accidents including some fatal accidents, from trips and slips in the area known as Waterfall Country”” Source location Response from Natural Resources Wales
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 Terrain, absent power and communications infrastructure make improving mobile signal or installing reliable SOS telephone boxes extremely challenging or impossible.
Verbatim wording from the response “Matter of Concern 3 - “mobile telephone signal is poor to non-existent in certain more remote areas, which creates delay in alerting emergency services when accidents do occur”” Source location Response from Natural Resources Wales
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 telecommunications infrastructure rests with national regulators and private network providers rather than NRW.
Verbatim wording from the response “23. NRW recognises the concern around telecommunications coverage and understands the importance of reliable connectivity, particularly in emergency situations. While responsibility for telecommunications infrastructure does not sit with NRW and instead rests with bodies such as national regulators and private network providers, NRW has been working constructively with BBNRto identify practical steps it can take. As part of this, NRW will install a dedicated waymarker to highlight a location where cross-network emergency signal is available for 999 calls. This location will be clearly identified on waymarkers in the area, including a what.3.words (this is an application to identify the precise location) reference and the location name.” Source location Response from Natural Resources Wales
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 Official paths are waymarked, risks off those paths are considered obvious, and existing signage and safety measures address accidental-falling risks.
Verbatim wording from the response “Matter of Concern 2 - “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”” Source location Response from Natural Resources Wales
Open published response
13 Dec 2022 Akeem Jevaughn RHODEN · Prevention of Future Deaths report South Wales Central
View report summary
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
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. 4
Action
Erect semi-permanent safety signs at the specified Waterfall Country locations.
View source
Action
Use Visitor Safety Group Communicating Safety Guidance when designing Waterfall Country safety signs.
View source
Action
Commission an independent expert report on visitor safety management, including signage, in Waterfall Country.
View source
Action
Review the independent expert's report on visitor safety management and signage.
View source See 1 more action
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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 Natural Resources Wales; 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 Natural Resources Wales; 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
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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 Erect semi-permanent safety signs at the specified Waterfall Country locations.
Verbatim wording from the response “Pending the report of the independent expert, semi-permanent signs are being erected at the following locations in Waterfall Country. NRW will mark their signs as marked on the plan (numbers 1-8) and Brecon Beacons National Park Authority (numbers 9-16) Enclosure 1 and set out below:” Source location Response from Natural Resources Wales
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 Use Visitor Safety Group Communicating Safety Guidance when designing Waterfall Country safety signs.
Verbatim wording from the response “The signs that are being erected in Waterfall Country, have been designed with reference to the Visitor Safety Group Communicating Safety Guidance an extract of which is set out below:” Source location Response from Natural Resources Wales
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 Commission an independent expert report on visitor safety management, including signage, in Waterfall Country.
Verbatim wording from the response “1.1. Natural Resources Wales is in the process of commissioning a report from an independent expert concerning visitor safety management to include signage in Waterfall Country. The outcome of this process will be shared with Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Powys County Council, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Neath Port Talbot Council.” Source location Response from Natural Resources Wales
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 Review the independent expert's report on visitor safety management and signage.
Verbatim wording from the response “1.2. Brecon Beacons National Park Authority will review the independent report and reposition its signage as reasonably required having considered the recommendations of the report.” Source location Response from Natural Resources Wales
Open published response
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 Natural Resources Wales; 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 Natural Resources Wales; 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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Information checked against published PFD reports and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations