PFD report

Akeem Jevaughn RHODEN · Prevention of Future Deaths report

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Issued 13 Dec 2022•South Wales Central

Report record

Published report and response evidence

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.

View original report
Concerns
2

Raised in this report

Recipients
5

Named on the report

Responses found
5

Of 5 recipients

Stated actions
13

Described in responses

Recipients and published responses

Source document

Full report text

This is the full text from the original published report.

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Concerns and recipient responses

Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

Concerns raised2

  1. Failure to provide adequate warning signage at points where individuals may decide to enter the water
    Part of recurring concern: Inadequate warnings about location-specific hazards at public waterside locations
  2. Failure of waterfall signage to provide clear, concise warnings about the power and dangers of the water
    Part of recurring concern: Inadequate warnings about location-specific hazards at public waterside locations
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.8

  1. Action

    Erect signs advising visitors about unpredictable water flow.

    Stated by Neath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 4 January 2023.
  2. Action

    Implement a uniform signage approach arising from the signage review.

    Stated by Neath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 4 January 2023.
  3. Action

    Complete independent and high-volume-area reviews of existing signage and identify necessary safety improvements.

    Stated by Neath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 January 2023.

Respondent positions A position is what a recipient says about a concern when it does not describe a specific action.2

  1. Position

    Advice recommends refraining from terms such as Danger, Caution, Warning and Deep Water when erecting signs.

    Stated by Neath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do 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. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Inadequate warnings about location-specific hazards at public waterside locations.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do 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. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Inadequate warnings about location-specific hazards at public waterside locations.

Open source report

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 signs advising visitors about unpredictable water flow.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• Signs will be erected to advise individuals of unpredictable water flow. Advice has suggested to date the Council should refrain from using any words such as Danger, Caution or Warning as it indicates a problem, and indeed Deep Water as someone will no doubt dive in when it is shallow.”

Source location

Response from Neath Port Talbot Council
Page 5 · response
Published 4 January 2023

Open published response

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

Implement a uniform signage approach arising from the signage review.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Consequently, signage is something we must consider very carefully in the context of a natural landscape. We will seek to respond to the key point of signage that has been raised by the Coroner’s concerns, and to identify any changes to signage to mitigate the risk of any future death by accident by someone visiting the site by undertaking a signage review and implementing any necessary actions.”

Source location

Response from Neath Port Talbot Council
Page 2 · response
Published 4 January 2023

Open published response

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 independent and high-volume-area reviews of existing signage and identify necessary safety improvements.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Consequently, signage is something we must consider very carefully in the context of a natural landscape. We will seek to respond to the key point of signage that has been raised by the Coroner’s concerns, and to identify any changes to signage to mitigate the risk of any future death by accident by someone visiting the site by undertaking a signage review and implementing any necessary actions.”

Source location

Response from Neath Port Talbot Council
Page 2 · response
Published 4 January 2023

Open published response

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

Put temporary warning signs in place at the site.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Coroner’s Matters of Concern | Response | Action already completed | Action proposed The signage at all waterfalls in Waterfall Country must be addressed | We agree with using signs that are clear to all users regardless of language. It should be noted that each authority must also comply with Welsh Language Standards which does require additional information to be present. | We have instructed an independent reviewer to advise on the formation and content of new signs and temporary signs are being put in place to warn of concerns. | To review signage and implement a uniform form of signage.”

Source location

Response from Neath Port Talbot Council
Page 3 · response
Published 4 January 2023

Open published response

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
Page 2 · response
Published 4 January 2023

Open published response

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
Page 3 · response
Published 4 January 2023

Open published response

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
Page 1 · response
Published 4 January 2023

Open published response

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
Page 1 · response
Published 4 January 2023

Open published response

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

Advice recommends refraining from terms such as Danger, Caution, Warning and Deep Water when erecting signs.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• Signs will be erected to advise individuals of unpredictable water flow. Advice has suggested to date the Council should refrain from using any words such as Danger, Caution or Warning as it indicates a problem, and indeed Deep Water as someone will no doubt dive in when it is shallow.”

Source location

Response from Neath Port Talbot Council
Page 5 · response
Published 4 January 2023

Open published response

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

Welsh Language Standards require additional information on signs, limiting the use of signage consisting solely of clear plain-language safety warnings.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Coroner’s Matters of Concern | Response | Action already completed | Action proposed The signage at all waterfalls in Waterfall Country must be addressed | We agree with using signs that are clear to all users regardless of language. It should be noted that each authority must also comply with Welsh Language Standards which does require additional information to be present. | We have instructed an independent reviewer to advise on the formation and content of new signs and temporary signs are being put in place to warn of concerns. | To review signage and implement a uniform form of signage.”

Source location

Response from Neath Port Talbot Council
Page 3 · response
Published 4 January 2023

Open published response

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.5

  1. 1

    Work collaboratively with public-body landowners and colleagues to improve joint visitor health and safety management.

    Stated by Neath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 January 2023.
  2. 2

    Update the website with information about risks to visitors.

    Stated by Neath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 January 2023.
  3. 3

    Continue collaborative participation in the Waterfall Area Safety Advisory Group.

    Stated by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and Natural Resources Wales and Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and Powys County Council and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 January 2023.
  4. 4

    Photograph the completed semi-permanent signs and send the photographs to HM Coroner.

    Stated by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and Natural Resources Wales and Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and Powys County Council and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 4 January 2023.
  5. 5

    Share the independent expert report's outcome with the participating public authorities.

    Stated by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and Natural Resources Wales and Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and Powys County Council and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 4 January 2023.

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

Work collaboratively with public-body landowners and colleagues to improve joint visitor health and safety management.

Verbatim wording from the response

“In autumn 2022, as a result of the concerns that the Coroner raised in a report concerning a different fatality, Brecon Beacons National Park Authority and Neath Port Talbot Council jointly commissioned an independent review of signage at the Site and this work continues. Neath Port Talbot Council is committed to working collaboratively with the other public body landowners and colleagues to improve our joint management of matters that affect visitors to the site. We hope that we can continue the dialogue to create a unified approach to health and safety matters within the National Park. In the interim, Neath Port Talbot Council have commissioned a review of all signs within its high-volume visitor areas to ensure they are fit for purpose and are uniform in their design, content and application. It is anticipated that this work will be concluded in by the end of March 2023.”

Source location

Response from Neath Port Talbot Council
Page 2 · response
Published 4 January 2023

Open published response

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

Update the website with information about risks to visitors.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• The Neath Port Talbot website has been updated to advise individuals of the potential risks involved.”

Source location

Response from Neath Port Talbot Council
Page 5 · response
Published 4 January 2023

Open published response

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

Continue collaborative participation in the Waterfall Area Safety Advisory Group.

Verbatim wording from the response

“address HM Coroner's concerns. The safety of visitors to Waterfall Country is of the utmost importance to all of the aforementioned organisations and we remain committed to working collaboratively including through ongoing participation in the Waterfall Area Safety Advisory Group.”

Source location

Response from Natural Resources Wales
Page 4 · response
Published 4 January 2023

Open published response

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

Photograph the completed semi-permanent signs and send the photographs to HM Coroner.

Verbatim wording from the response

“When the erection of the semi-permanent signs has been completed, photographs will be taken by NRW and Brecon Beacons National Park Authority respectively and sent to HM Coroner.”

Source location

Response from Natural Resources Wales
Page 3 · response
Published 4 January 2023

Open published response

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

Share the independent expert report's outcome with the participating public authorities.

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
Page 1 · response
Published 4 January 2023

Open published response
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Information checked against the published report and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations

Data last updated 7 September 2026