Families pay tribute to loving couple following river deaths

The families of two women who died at Ystradfellte Falls in Powys have paid tribute to the loving couple whose “endless laughter will be forever remembered by all who had the honour to know them”.

Rachael and Helen Patching, aged 33 and 52 respectively, who are from the Kent area, were visiting Wales on holiday.

The alarm was raised at around 11.45am on Wednesday, 4 January 2023, with reports that there were two people in the water.

Sadly, their bodies were recovered from the river in the days that followed.

Their families have issued a joint statement paying tribute to the couple and thanking those who tried to go to their aid.

It reads: “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.

“We would like to thank all those who have provided such generous support and guidance, including the unwavering commitment of the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue, 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.”