Akeem Rhoden

Rachel  Knight 

His Majesty's Assistant Coroner 

South Wales Central Coroners Court 

06 February 2023 

Dear Madam, 

Response to Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths 

Inquest touching on the death of Akeem Jevaughn RHODEN 

We write with reference  to the  Regulation  28  Report to  Prevent  Future  Deaths dated  13 December 

2022 which  was  issued  by  HM  Coroner following the  inquest into the death of Mr Akeem  Jevaughn 

Rhoden ("the Regulation 28 Report"}. 

We  are  responding  to  the  Regulation  28  Report  on  behalf  of  Natural  Resources  Wales,  Brecon 

Beacons  National  Park,  Powys  County  Council,  Rhondda  Cynon  Taf County  Borough  Council  and 

Neath Port Talbot Council.  On behalf of all of the aforementioned organisations,  may we express our 

deepest condolences to Mr Rhoden's family. 

We  set  out  below the joint  response  of Natural  Resources  Wales,  Brecon  Beacons  National  Park 

Authority,  Powys County Council, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Neath Port Talbot Council, to the concerns 

that have been raised by HM Coroner as set out in the Regulation 28 Report: 

1. 

Independent Expert 

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. 

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. 

Confidential 

1 

 
 2. 

Erection of Signage 

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: 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Location: 

1. 

Sgwd Clun Gwyn Uchaf; 

Location: 

2. 

Sgwd Pannwr; 

Location: 

3. 

Sgwd yr Eira north; 

Location: 

4. 

Sgwd yr Eira south; 

Location: 

5. 

Sychryd; 

Location: 

6. 

Dinas access to Mellte; 

Location: 

7. 

Pont Melin Fach 

Location: 

8. 

Junction pool below Sgwd Gwladys. 

0 

Location: 

9. 

Cwmporth Carpark SN 92839 12383 

0 

Location: 

10.  Glyn Gwyn footpath SN 92107 10714 

(_ 

0 

Location: 

11. 

PNF Old School footpath SN89962 08517 

0 

0 

0 

Location: 

12.  Gunpowder Works lower bridge SN91548 08227 

Location: 

13.  Gunpowder Works upper bridge SN91895 08407 

Location": 

14. 

Penderyn  Tor  y  Foel  Footpath  /  permissive  route  SN 93837 

09205 

0 

Location: 

15. 

Scwd Pannwr NPA side SN92280 10299 

0 

Location: 

16. 

Lower Glyn Gwyn NPA side SN 92382 10644 

Confidential 

2 

 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. 

3. 

Design of the Signs 

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: 

C 

Genuine 
CORHtjllllf1C4t9 
of bellavlour 
(maintaining 
trust & 1ntearlty) 

Dnlrod blh.-Aour. 
Consldar 1njunctlve 
(ought) and P,09C~  
(do natt ffieHIQH 

and 

We attach at Enclosure 2: 

3.1 

Two  illustrations  of  the  signs  that  are  being  erected  by  Natural 

Resources  Wales  and  Brecon  Beacons  National  Park  in  Waterfall 

Country showing their respective logos; and 

3.2 

An  illustration of the signs that are being erected by the  local authorities 

in Waterfall Country which do not have a logo. 

We  trust  this  joint  response  provides  assurance  to  both  HM  Coroner  and  Mr  Rhoden's  family  that 

action  is being  taken  by Natural  Resources Wales,  Brecon  Beacons  National  Park Authority,  Powys 

County  Council,  Rhondda  Cynon  Taf  County  Borough  Council  and  Neath  Port  Talbot  Council  to 

Confidential 

3 

 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. 

Yours sincerely 

Chief Executive 

Natural Resources Wales 

( 

Brecon Beacons National Park Authority 

Confidential 

4 

 Enclosure 1 

C 

{_ 

Confidential 

s 

l:»l'W 

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.....,a.... MIIIIIJD. N.,__. , ._.  o...-s..-,...l'lm. .,__,._,
.................,....."'.... 
,.,.,.......,..,...............,.,.,...... 

m:IMt 

 Enclosure 2 

Cyfo.th Naturio4 Cymru
Natural Resourcn Wales

• 

Mae marwolaethau ac 
anafladau dlfrlfol wecl 
dlgwydd yma oherwydd:
•Dwr pwerus, cerhvntau 
cryf a chreiglau Hlthrlg 

• Peryglon cudd o dan 

ydwr 

• Peldlwch i  drlngo neu 
nelclo oddl ar greiglau 
neu raeadrau 
- Defnydclwch ofal 

elthafol mewn dwr ac 
di gwmpas

Deaths and serious 
lnJurles have happened 
here due to: 
•  Powerful water. strong 
currents and sllppery 
rocks 

• Hidden hazards under 

the water 

•  Do not climb or Jump 
off rocks or waterfalls 
- UM extreme caution In 

and around water 

Hewn a,gyfwn;, ffonlwch 199 
a gofyn am ,, Hedclu, 
yna .Achub Myn,dd. 

In an emergency, call 999 
and ask for Police, then 
MounUiln Roscuo. 

{_ 

Confidential 

6 

 ( 

( 

Mae marwolaethau ac 
anaffadau difrifol wedi 
dlgwydd yma aherwydd:
• Dwr pwerus, cerhyntau 
cryf a clwelglau lllthrig 

• Pe,yglon Cudd O dan 
y dwr 
Pelclwch a drtngo neu 
neldlo odd ar grelglau 
neu raeadrau 
• Defnyddlwch ofal 

elthafol mewn dilr ac 
o'i gwmpas 

Deaths and serious 
inluries have happened 
here due to: 
• Powerful water, strong 
currents and slippery 
rocks 

• Hidden hazards under 

the water 

• Do not clmb or Jump 
off rocks or waterfalls 
• Use extreme caution In 

and around water 

Hewn argyfwng, tfonlwch 999 
a gofyn am yr Heddlu, 
yna Achub Mynydd. 

In an emergency, call 999 
and alk for Police, then 
Mountain Rescue. 

Confidential 

7 

 Mae marwolaethau ac 
anafladau dlfrlfol wedl 
dlgwydd yma oherwydd: 
• Dwr pwerus, cerhyntau 
cryf a chrelglau lllthrlg 

• Peryglon Cudd O dan 

ydwr 

• Peldiwch i  drlngo neu 
neldlo oddi ar grelglau 
neu raeadrau 

- Defnyddlwch ofal 

elthafol mewn dwr ac 
o'I gwmpas 

Deaths and serious 
Injuries have happened 
here due to: 
• Powerful water, strong 
currents and slippery 
rocks 

•  Hidden hazards under 

the water 

•  Do not climb or jump 
off rocks or waterfalls 
- Use extreme caution In 

and around water 

Mown argyfwng, ffonlwdl 999 
a gotyn am yr Heddlu, 
yna Achub Mynydd. 

In an emergency, call 999 
and ast( for Police, then 
Mountain Rescue. 

Confidential 

8

Cyngor Castell-nedd Port Tatbot 
Neath Port Talbot Council 

Dydd1ad/  Date 

30'h  January 2023 

His Majesty's Senior Coroner 
South Wales Central Coroner Area 
Coroner's Office 
The Old Courthouse 
Courthouse Street 
Pontypridd 

Dear Sirs 

Re: Regulation 28 Report (Akeem Rhoden (Deceased)) 

Neath Port Talbot Council wish to thank the Coroner for writing to our Chief 

Executive and bringing to our attention the various matters of concern that 

were prompted by her investigation into the tragic death of Mr. Rhoden. Neath 

Port Talbot Council express their deep regret and sorrow at the death of Mr 

Rhoden. 

(_ 

It should be noted that this response is based entirely on the Regulation 28 

Report that was received. 

We acknowledge the Coroner's concerns and will accordingly consider signage 

at the land we own and manage at the site in question. The Brecon Beacons 

National Park is an  area which is designated for its special qualities 

Pennaeth Gwasanaethau cyfreithlol 
Y Ganolfan Ddlneslg, Pon Talbot SA13 1PJ 

DX 135226 Port Talbot 2 

Head of Legal Services 
Civic Centre, Port Talbot, SA13 lPJ 

DX 135226 Port Talbot 2 

Croesewir goheblaeth yn y Gymraeg a byddwn yn ymdrin ii gohebiaeth Gymraeg a Saesneg l'r un safonau ac amserlenni. 
We welcome correspondence in Welsh and will deal with Welsh and English correspondence to the same standards and timescales. 

www.npt.gov.uk 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 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. 

C 

(. 

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. 

It is important that we offer factual response to the Coroner's findings, both to 

acknowledge and to identify any issuesand to correct any misperceptions which 

may be barriers to full learning. 

 The Coroner's key points are summarised here, and the full table can be found 

in her Regulation 28 Report: 

Coroner's 

Response 

Action already 

Action proposed 

Matters of 

Concern 

completed 

The signage at all 

We agree with 

We have 

To review signage 

waterfalls in 

using signs that 

instructed an 

and implement a 

Waterfall Country 

are clear to all 

independent 

uniform form of 

must be 

users regardless 

reviewer to 

signage. 

addressed 

of language. It 

advise on the 

should be noted 

formation and 

that each 

content of new 

authority must 

signs and 

also comply with 

temporary signs 

Welsh Language 

are being put in 

Standards which 

place to warn of 

does require 

concerns. 

additional 

information to be 

present. 

I 

There were no 

We agree with 

We have 

To review signage 

adequate signs to 

using signs that 

instructed an 

and implement a 

(_ 

 .....--
warn of potential 

are clear to all 

independent 

-
uniform form of 

dangers 

users regardless 

reviewer to 

signage. 

of language. It 

advise on the 

should be noted 

formation and 

I 

that each 

content of new 

authority must 

signs 

also comply with 

Welsh Language 

Standards. 

Any sign(s) 

We agree with 

We have 

To review signage 

Signage erected 

using signs that 

instructed an 

and implement a 

ought in plain 

are clear to all 

independent 

uniform form of 

English and spell 

users regardless 

reviewer to 

signage. 

out the risk of the 

of language. It 

advise on the 

danger of the 

should be noted 

formation and 

power of the 

that each 

content of new 

water. 

authority must 

signs 

also comply with 

Welsh Language 

Standards. 

Existing signage in 

We accept 

We have 

To review signage 

'Waterfall 

I 

Country' is 

additional signage 

instructed an 

and implement a 

can explicitly 

independent 

uniform form of 

overloaded with a 

address safety 

reviewer to 

signage. 

 variety of 

concerns 

advise on best 

practice signs 

information, is 

not explicit in 

warning of the 

real danger of 

death from 

entering the 

water. 

In the interim, a number of additional steps have been taken: 

•  The Neath Port Talbot website has been updated to advise individuals of 

the potential risks involved. 

•  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. 

We trust that such information will demonstrate the Neath Port Talbot Council's 
commitment to working to prevent future incidents in this area. 

(_ 

Yours faithfully 

Head of Legal and Democratic Services