Terrifying repeat nightmare at the SAME deadly Welsh waterfall 💀🌊: A devoted married couple on a romantic New Year’s escape… one slips into the roaring cascade, the other dives in to save her wife… both drown in seconds. Bodies found days later in the freezing river.

Just ONE YEAR later, a 26-year-old guy on a camping trip with his aunt tries a “shortcut” for a better view… plunges 100 FEET off a cliff straight into the water below. Screams echo, splash—he’s gone.

Full details:

A joint inquest has concluded that three people died accidentally within 18 months at the same scenic waterfall area in Wales’ Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, prompting a coroner to call for urgent safety improvements to prevent further tragedies at one of the UK’s most visited natural attractions. The incidents, all ruled misadventures with no suspicious circumstances, underscore the deceptive dangers of the popular Four Waterfalls Walk in “Waterfall Country” near Ystradfellte, Powys—where slippery terrain, powerful currents, and steep unguarded drops have proven fatal even to those familiar with hiking.

The first double tragedy struck in early January 2023 when Rachael Patching, 33, and her wife Helen Patching, 52, from West Malling, Kent, vanished during a New Year’s walking holiday. The couple, married in 2015, were passionate outdoor enthusiasts who loved mountains, animals, and charitable work. They had driven more than 200 miles for what was intended as a romantic getaway amid the dramatic cascades.

On January 4, the pair went missing on the trail. Search operations faced challenges from high, fast-flowing water. A member of the public spotted bodies, leading to Helen’s recovery at Sgwd y Pannwr on January 5 and Rachael’s downstream in the River Neath near Glynneath on January 8. Postmortem examinations confirmed drowning as the cause. Inquest evidence suggested one woman slipped on wet, mossy rocks while viewing the falls; the other entered the water in a desperate rescue bid. The heroic effort failed amid icy conditions and strong currents, claiming both lives.

Family statements portrayed the Patchings as a devoted, selfless pair whose deaths left a profound void. Their shared passions made the loss especially poignant in a setting they cherished.

Less than 18 months later, on June 26, 2024, Corey Longdon, 26, from Gloucester, met his end in the same vicinity. A holiday park entertainer, he was camping overnight with his aunt Lisa Lane before hiking near Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn. Witnesses described hearing breaking sounds, a heavy fall down a mountainside, a splash, and screams for help as he plunged about 100ft (30m) from a cliff section known as Precipice Walk—likely while attempting a shortcut to the waterfall. He sustained unsurvivable injuries, including catastrophic head trauma leading to hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and traumatic cardiac arrest. He was airlifted but pronounced dead later that evening.

The Pontypridd Coroner’s Court hearing on January 22, 2026, examined all three cases together. Assistant coroner Rachel Knight recorded accidental verdicts, noting recurring hazards: constant moisture making paths treacherous, steep inclines without barriers, powerful undercurrents, and navigational confusion from unofficial routes or past path closures. Poor mobile coverage in the area further complicates emergency responses.

The trail, a three-hour 9km loop encompassing Sgwd yr Eira, Sgwd Uchaf Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn, and Sgwd y Pannwr, attracts around 250,000 walkers annually. While promoted as moderate to challenging with stunning views, experts and locals have long warned of its risks, especially in winter or after rain when rocks ice over and water levels surge. The coroner plans a Prevention of Future Deaths report, requesting input on enhancements like clearer signage, rerouting vulnerable sections, physical barriers at drop-offs, and improved mobile infrastructure.

Park authorities and Natural Resources Wales have acknowledged concerns, with some remedial work underway at viewing points (targeted for Easter 2026 completion). Critics, including experienced hikers, have pointed to ongoing issues like confusing signage and “desire lines” leading visitors off safe paths. The inquest heard testimony on these problems, with one witness noting repeated prior warnings to officials about the Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn area.

The cases highlight broader challenges in managing public access to wild, rugged landscapes. National parks balance preserving natural beauty with visitor safety, often relying on personal responsibility—proper footwear, weather checks, sticking to marked trails, and informing others of plans. Yet the frequency of incidents here has fueled debate over whether more proactive measures are needed without overly restricting access.

For the families, the hearings provided formal answers but little comfort. The Patchings’ loved ones emphasized their joyful lives cut short; Longdon’s relatives mourned a young man lost on what should have been a simple family adventure.

As the national park continues to draw crowds seeking Instagram-worthy views and peaceful escapes, the coroner’s warnings serve as a stark reminder: even well-trodden beauty spots can turn lethal without caution. Authorities hope targeted changes will safeguard future visitors while preserving the site’s allure.