A MARRIED couple drowned in a waterfall on a romantic break – just one year before walker fell to his death from the same spot, an inquest heard.
Experienced hikers Rachael Patching, 33, and Helen, 52, travelled to the Brecon Beacons, South Wales, to visit a spot known as “Waterfall Country.”
The pair were tragically discovered dead after falling from the beauty spot in January 2023.
Rachael and Helen’s deaths came one year before walker Corey Longdon, 26, fell 100ft to his death from a cliff in the same area.
An inquest heard the couple had married seven years before the tragedy.
They travelled 200 miles from their home in Sevenoaks, Kent, to the Breacon Beacons for a New Year break.
But they went missing on the rugged Four Waterfalls Walk – with the alarm raised when a fellow walker spotted a body in the water.
The couple’s car was found in a nearby car park and a rucksack with walking poles was found on the water’s edge.
Helen’s body was found by a kayaker on January 5 and Rachael was discovered on the bank of a river near Glynneath three days later.
A post mortem gave their cause of death as drowning.
Helen, who previously held a senior role in the probation service, had a “vigorous love of the outdoors and adventure” and completed ultra challenges, her family said.
They said the couple were “experienced and safe hikers” who were the “life and souls of their families” and a “perfect match.”
Rachael, who had worked for the IOPC and Battersea Dogs Home, was described as “happiest when walking up mountains and travelling to remote places.”
The inquest heard Corey had been on a camping trip with his aunt Lisa Lane when they headed to the waterfalls together in June 2024.
She said her nephew had been looking for a shortcut when she heard a “loud splash” and heard a stranger screaming for help.
Corey, who had worked at Park Holidays UK, was rushed to the trauma unit at University Hospital of Wales but could not be saved.
Dyfed Powys Police said witnesses described him falling down a “steep cliff” about 100ft in height on a section known as Precipice Walk.
His cause of death was given as severe hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy following a fall leading to traumatic cardiac arrest.
Coroner Rachel Knight said she aimed to explore the safety of the paths and waterfalls if a Prevention of Future Deaths report should be made.
The inquest continues.
