Two women feared dead after plunging into waterfall as body is found
Two women are feared dead after plunging into waterfall at national park beauty spot as searchers find one body
- One body has been recovered by police and second woman remains missing
- Police were called to Ystradfellte Falls in Wales at around 11.45am yesterday
- Officers described the water as ‘high’ and ‘fast flowing’ on the waterfall walk
- It is believed the second woman is in the river as search efforts continue
A body has been found on a search for two women who are feared dead after they plunged into a waterfall at a national park in Wales.
One body has been recovered by police and the second woman remains missing after the tragedy on the popular waterfall walk in the countryside.
Police were called to Ystradfellte Falls on the rugged Four Waterfalls Walk in Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales at about 11.45am yesterday after the alarm was raised by passers-by.
A full search for the women was launched in the area after the rivers were swollen by heavy rain – including using underwater cameras and mountain rescue experts.
One body has been recovered by police and the second woman remains missing after the tragedy at Ystradfellte Falls on the rugged Four Waterfalls Walk in Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales (pictured)
Police were called to Ystradfellte Falls (pictured) at about 11.45am on Wednesday after the alarm was raised by passers-by
The body of one woman was recovered from the water while the search for the second continues.
Their families have been informed.
Police search teams were hampered by the weather conditions and had to call off the search when darkness fell around the area near the town of Glynneath, Powys.
Officers said it included ‘high, fast flowing water’ on the waterfall walk.
The search was called off at around 5pm on Wednesday evening but resumed this morning(thurs).
The fire service, mountain rescue and National Police Air Support were all involved in the search.
A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: ‘Dyfed-Powys Police were called to the Ystradfellte Falls area at 11.45am yesterday.
‘A search for two women has been taking place since, involving partners from the fire service, mountain rescue and National Police Air Support.
‘High, fast-flowing water, meant the search was called off yesterday evening, however it resumed this morning a first light.
‘Sadly, we can confirm the body of a woman has been recovered from the river.
‘Families of both women have been informed, and will be supported by specialist officers as the search continues.
‘Efforts are ongoing to locate a second woman, who is also believed to be in the river.’
Ystradfellte Four Waterfalls Walk is a 4.5mile trail rated as ‘moderate’ difficulty.
But one regular walker said: ‘It is notoriously slippery on the rocks and can get very muddy.
‘The waters can surge very suddenly and would need a lot of care at the moment. We can only pray the other woman is safe somewhere.’
The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking and is accessible year-round.
A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire Service said: ‘At 11.54am on Wednesday January 4, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service was requested by Dyfed Powys Police to attend an incident at Ystradfellta Waterfalls, Neath.
‘The wading crew from Neath and Swift Water Rescue Team from Swansea Central were in attendance, with the boat and underwater camera to assist in body recovery, along with Mountain Rescue. Crews were stood down at 17.04pm on 4th January.
‘On Thursday, January 5, crews from Morriston and Swansea Central were alerted at 9am to the rendezvous point. Dyfed Powys Police have primacy of this incident.’
A three-year-old girl was killed after being washed down a waterfall while on holiday with her family in North Carolina in April last year.
A teenager, 19, plunged to her death at a waterfall in Cairns, Queensland, Australia in May last year.
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