This page connects the concerns raised in this report with statements found in recipients’ published responses. A link shows a clear evidence connection; it does not assign responsibility.
On 22nd January 2026 I held a hearing where three inquests were conjoined as they all raised the same issue. The inquests related to the deaths of Helen Patching, Rachael Patching and Corey Longdon. I attach the Records of Inquest for each of the deceased.
All three died accidental deaths within the area known as Waterfall Country within Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (Brecon Beacons).
Circumstances of the death
The hearing focused upon:-
a. The safety measures in place in Waterfall Country .
Coroner’s concerns
(1) There is a high rate of accidents, including some fatal accidents, from trips and slips in the area known as Waterfall Country;
(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;
(3) Serious and fatal accidents will continue to occur unless these risks are addressed; and
(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.
Concerns and recipient responses
Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Report evidence summary
Concerns raised4
Failure to provide information enabling walkers to understand official routes, path closures and risks
Inadequate signage addressing the risk of accidental falling
Poor or non-existent mobile telephone signal in remote areas
High rate of trips and slips in Waterfall Country
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.20
Action
Progress procurement of the new Visitor Hub, designed to provide visitor information and safety guidance.
Stated byNeath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Publish and maintain revised Waterfall Country website warnings about water-related risks and safe behaviour.
Stated byNeath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Install waymarkers identifying a location with cross-network emergency signal for 999 calls, including its location name and What3Words reference.
Stated byNatural Resources WalesStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Complete and operate the new Waterfall link path providing a circular route between Sgwd Clun Gwyn Isaf and the Four Falls Trail.
Stated byNatural Resources WalesStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Resurface the Sgwd yr Eira trail to improve pedestrian and emergency-service access.
Stated byNatural Resources WalesStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Create a formal viewing area at Sgwd Clun Gwyn Uchaf with a balustrade, landscaped viewpoints and cliff-edge fencing.
Stated byNatural Resources WalesStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Install permanent metal fencing to further prevent access to the closed former Footpath 86 area.
Stated byNatural Resources WalesStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Install a stone boardwalk between Sgwd yr Pannwr and Sgwd Isaf Clun Gwyn to improve safe access.
Stated byNatural Resources WalesStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Conduct scheduled formal inspections of visitor infrastructure and managed car parks, reporting defects and taking required action.
Stated byNatural Resources WalesStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
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.
Stated byNatural Resources WalesStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Maintain consistent visitor communications by contributing to development of the Waterfall Country Partnership Communication Strategy.
Stated byNatural Resources WalesStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Contribute to implementing enhanced safety signage through the Waterfall Country safety working group.
Stated byPowys County CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Improve waymarking to guide visitors toward locations with more reliable multi-network emergency signal coverage.
Stated byBannau Brycheiniog National Park AuthorityStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Close and remove Footpath 86 from the Rights of Way network, with onsite measures notifying visitors of the closure.
Support coordinated safety messaging and visitor management through the Waterfalls Area Safety Advisory Group.
Stated byBannau Brycheiniog National Park AuthorityStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Provide Rights of Way advice and oversight for pathway changes and progress formal adoption processes where required.
Stated byBannau Brycheiniog National Park AuthorityStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Hold regular multi-agency safety meetings, review accident feedback and coordinate preventative communications, signage and information.
Stated byBannau Brycheiniog National Park AuthorityStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Fund wardens and visitor engagement staff to provide face-to-face safety advice at managed car parks and visitor access points.
Stated byBannau Brycheiniog National Park AuthorityStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Provide accessible routes, wayfinding, maps and safety information for Waterfall Country visitors.
Respondent positions A position is what a recipient says about a concern when it does not describe a specific action.8
Position
Accident rates in Waterfall Country are broadly comparable with similar activities, and visitors are not at particularly higher likelihood of accidents.
Stated byNatural Resources WalesDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
Terrain, absent power and communications infrastructure make improving mobile signal or installing reliable SOS telephone boxes extremely challenging or impossible.
Stated byNatural Resources WalesUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Responsibility for telecommunications infrastructure rests with national regulators and private network providers rather than NRW.
Stated byNatural Resources WalesRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Official paths are waymarked, risks off those paths are considered obvious, and existing signage and safety measures address accidental-falling risks.
Stated byNatural Resources WalesExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Legally diverted paths and barriers are considered sufficient to deter access to hazardous routes where original paths were diverted.
Stated byPowys County CouncilExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
The area’s inherent natural hazards cannot be removed without fundamentally altering its protected characteristics and designated habitats.
BBNPA is responsible for managing and addressing safety matters concerning public rights of way and access land in the relevant area.
Stated byRhondda Cynon Taf CBCRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Other statements in published responses
These actions and other statements could not be clearly connected to one concern in this report.
Recipient-stated actions An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.9
1
Continue collaborating with partner authorities on safety measures in Waterfall Country.
Stated byNeath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
2
Develop and agree a Water Safety Policy during the current financial year.
Stated byNeath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
3
Continue collaborating with neighbouring authorities on signage and visitor information.
Stated byNeath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
4
Finalise and implement the Waterfall Country Visitor Safety Plan after incorporating the Tactical Operational Plan.
Stated byNatural Resources WalesStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
5
Continue working with partner organisations to implement proportionate controls and identify further risk-reduction actions within the Council’s remit.
Stated byPowys County CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
6
Maintain interpretive safety resources, including a waterfall model demonstrating hidden watercourse hazards and dangers.
Develop a shared communications plan with partner organisations to improve visitors’ understanding of safety measures before arriving.
Stated byBannau Brycheiniog National Park AuthorityStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
9
Continue working with and supporting relevant agencies to implement proposed further safety actions.
Stated byRhondda Cynon Taf CBCStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Recipient positions A position is what a recipient says about a concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
1
Most recent fatalities involved drowning rather than falls, while rugged and unpredictable terrain means incidents may still occur despite mitigation.
Stated byNatural Resources WalesDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
2
Site management and infrastructure responsibilities primarily lie with Natural Resources Wales and the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority.
Stated byPowys County CouncilRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
3
It is not physically practicable or legally possible to prevent visitors leaving designated paths on open access land.
Stated byPowys County CouncilUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
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