Family pay tribute to couple who died at Wales waterfall beauty spot

Married couple who died at a waterfall beauty spot on New Year’s holiday are identified – as families pay tribute to ‘devoted, selfless’ women, 33 and 52, whose ‘endless laughter will be forever remembered’

• Rachael and Helen Patching, 33 and 52, tragically died on a New Year getaway
• The couple’s bodies were pulled from icy waters at the Four Waterfalls Walk
• Police are still working to determine how the women came to be in the water

The grieving families of a married couple who died at a waterfall beauty spot during a New Year’s Holiday have described the women as ‘a truly admirable credit to themselves and society’ in a moving joint tribute.

Rachael and Helen Patching, 33 and 52, were pulled from icy waters at the Four Waterfalls Walk in the national park at Brecon Beacons, Wales, last week.

The couple, from Kent, had been trekking through the area during a New Year getaway leading up to the tragedy.

Police are still working to determine exactly how the women came to be in the water.

While the pools under the waterfalls are a known spot for wild swimming, locals also noted the rocks lining the water are extremely slippery at this time of year.

The grieving families of a married couple who died at a waterfall beauty spot during a New Year’s Holiday have described the women as ‘a truly admirable credit to themselves and society’ in a moving joint tribute

Police confirmed two bodies were recovered after a five-day search operation involving divers, mountain rescue teams, firemen and helicopters.

Their families said: ‘We are devastated to have suffered such an immeasurable loss following the news of Rachael and Helen’s passing at just 33 and 52.

‘They were such a devoted, selfless, and loving couple having had an immensely positive impact on all those they met.

‘Their love for animals and dedication to caring for them so lovingly over the years made them a truly admirable credit to themselves and society.

‘Their endless laughter will be forever remembered by all who had the honour to know them.

‘There are no words that can express enough how highly they were both thought of by family members, friends, and colleagues.’

In a joint statement the couple’s families praised the ‘unwavering commitment’ of the rescue teams who braved dangerous river conditions during the five-day search.

Rachael and Helen Patching, 33 and 52, were pulled from icy waters at the Four Waterfalls Walk in the national park at Brecon Beacons, Wales, last week

Police were deployed to Ystradfellte Falls on the rugged Four Waterfalls Walk in Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales at about 11.45am on Wednesday after the alarm was raised by passers-by

One body was found within hours of the two women going into the water on January 4, while the second body was found on Sunday.

The statement said: ‘We would like to thank all those who have provided such generous support and guidance, including the unwavering commitment of the Brecon Beacons Mountain Rescue volunteers, the police, National Police Air Support, Mid and West Wales Fire Service, National Resource Wales, the Welsh Ambulance Service and Powys County Council for helping so selflessly at such a difficult time.

‘We would now like time to grieve and would ask to be given privacy in which to do so.’

Investigations are continuing into how the two women ended up in the fast-flowing and icy water below one of the four waterfalls on a popular walking trail.

Police are still working to determine exactly how the women came to be in the water at Ystradfellte Falls on the rugged Four Waterfalls Walk in Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales (pictured)

Dyfed-Powys Police said the search operation was hampered by ‘high fast-flowing’ water.

Locals said the waterfalls attract visitors from all over the UK and became particularly popular after lockdown restrictions were lifted.

Experienced hillwalker Phil Evans, 61, said: ‘It’s usually pretty safe up there – but like anywhere else in the Beacons there are risks.

‘The water will be extremely cold at this time of year, you’re not going to survive for long and we’ve had a lot of rain so there will be rapids forming.’

Inquests will be held on both women following a police inquiry into the double tragedy.

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