Man injured jumping off top of waterfall

A MAN in his 20s has been injured jumping off the top of a Neath Valley waterfall – the third such incident in 12 months.

Police, ambulance and mountain rescue volunteers were scrambled to Sgwd Gwladus near Pontneddfechan on Saturday afternoon to reports of a casualty with suspected serious injuries.

Mountain rescue experts are warning of the danger of lifechanging injuries or even death from waterfall jumping – and they are urging people looking for an adrenaline rush to take part in an organised activity rather than go it alone.

Three mountain rescue teams – Western Beacons, Central Beacons, and Brecon – Dyfed-Powys Police and the Welsh Ambulance Service responded to the incident, which happened at around 3.45pm.

Due to concerns about the extent of his injuries the casualty was immobilised in a vacuum mattress then taken from the scene in a mountain rescue 4x4 before being transported to hospital.

A spokesman for Western Beacons Mountain Rescue Team said: “This is the third incident of this kind at Sgwd Gwladus in the last 12 months, and we urge anyone considering jumping off the fall to consider carefully the potential for life changing injury or even death should things go wrong.

“There are numerous professional outdoor pursuits companies with a wealth of local knowledge who provide gorge walking activities in the area.”

He added: “Our best wishes to the casualty for a full and speedy recovery.”

Sgwd Gwladus are around 20ft high, and are one of a dozen falls at the top of the Neath Valley.