Two women dead after being pulled from water at pools in Snowdonia national park with helicopter scrambled to scene
TWO women died after being rescued from popular wild swimming pools in Snowdonia last night.
North Wales Police said the women were found in Nant Gwynant valley, in Eryri National Park, Wales.
Officers rushed to the scene at 9.30pm after one woman was pulled from the water.
Another was in the pools on the Watkin path nearby - one of the six main routes to the summit of Yr Wyddfa.
She was also rescued from the water but tragically both women died at the scene.
The large, deep Watkin Path pools are a very popular wild swimming spot due to the clear water and beautiful waterfalls.
The Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, air ambulance and Coastguard helicopter all attended the scene.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Gibson of North Wales Police said cops are appealing for anyone who was walking nearby at the time to gt in touch.
An investigation into their deaths is underway and the coroner has been informed.
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North Wales Live
2 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Mountain rescue team issues statement over Watkin Path pools tragedy
Mountain rescuers have sent their "deepest sympathies" to the families and friends of two women who died at a North Wales beauty spot. The women had been visiting the pools on the Watkin path on Yr Wyddfa (formerly known as Snowdon). Llanberis Mountain Rescue Teams and Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team were involved in the incident which happened at Nant Gwynant on Wednesday at about 9.30pm. However the women, who have not been named, could not be saved. Jurgen Dissmann, Chair of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, posted an online message about the tragedy. He said: 'On behalf of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, I extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the two women who sadly lost their lives. 'This was a complex and difficult callout for the team and we would like to thank our emergency service colleagues and Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team for their continued support and assistance during this callout.' North Wales Police said yesterday that they have been called out at 9.30pm on Wednesday. They were told one woman had been pulled from the pools which have become hugely popular in recent years. A second woman was reported to be still in the water. Police launched a joint operation with the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team, Air Ambulance and the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter. Despite desperate efforts to save them the two women were pronounced dead at the scene. A North Wales Police spokesperson said yesterday: "Police were called at 21:31hrs following a report that one female had been pulled from the water, and another was reported to be in the water at the pools on the Watkin Path. "The Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team were dispatched to the area along with North Wales Police, the Air Ambulance and the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter. The second female was pulled from the water, however, despite the best efforts of all involved both were pronounced dead at the scene." Just a short hike from the A498, the Watkin Path pools have long been popular but have more recently seen an explosion of interest after featuring on tourism apps such as Instagram and TikTok. Until this week, their popularity was taken granted and their use unquestioned.
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Police 'won't prioritise phone thefts and shoplifting' with fewer bobbies on the beat as a result of Rachel Reeves' spending review, sources claim
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Wales Online
4 hours ago
- Wales Online
Ex-Wales rugby captain's business settles claim from former star
Ex-Wales rugby captain's business settles claim from former star Exclusive: A settlement has been reached in the case brought by Leigh Davies against a multimillion-pound water supplier Former Wales captain and WRU chairman David Pickering A water supplier run by ex-Welsh Rugby Union chairman David Pickering has settled a court claim from former Wales rugby international Leigh Davies. The retired centre had accused Hydro Industries of cheating him out of more than £125,000. Mr Davies, 48, earned 21 caps and played for teams including Scarlets and Ospreys. Mr Pickering, 64, was a flanker who captained Wales before managing the national team and then spending 11 years as WRU chairman. He is chairman of Hydro, a Carmarthenshire-based firm which provides drinking water in various countries and last year had more than £5.2m in net assets. In his claim, which was due to go to trial at Cardiff county court, Mr Davies accused Hydro of "deception" over Middle-Eastern business deals and said he no longer trusted Mr Pickering or the other directors. But we understand a settlement has been reached and the claim withdrawn. Hydro told WalesOnline: 'The proceedings have been stayed on the basis of confidential terms that neither party is free to disclose or discuss." The business previously made headlines in 2021 having secured millions in UK Government funding after donating £71,000 to the then-ruling Tory party. One of its directors is journalist Guto Harri, who was a top aide to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Wales centre Leigh Davies tackled by Tom Takau of the USA in 1999 (Image: David Rogers /Allsport ) Article continues below Mr Davies' claim – first revealed by WalesOnline in January – alleged that he got to know people involved in Hydro after helping one of its directors with fitness training. Mr Davies allegedly introduced the directors to a friend he knew from charity rugby events in Dubai. That friend was a "close business partner and friend with the royal family in the United Arab Emirates", the filing alleged. According to Mr Davies' claim his friend was "looking for a water purification company to assist with numerous projects in the UAE, Gulf states, and surrounding countries". It added: "Following my initial introduction the potential for business grew and it became clear early on that there was massive potential for large contracts." The Neath-born star claimed he signed an agreement with Hydro's directors in 2013 that would secure him 5% commission on any orders he introduced or helped negotiate. The following year Hydro announced what it described as a "£20m joint-venture deal" with Abu Dhabi business group M Partners for a water treatment project in the UAE. Mr Davies saw himself as an "essential and continuing" link between Hydro and companies in the Gulf states. He said he represented Hydro at meetings and at corporate and charity events. "Hydro could not have existed, searched for new business opportunities, or entered into any new business contracts without my introductions," the filing alleged. It continued: "In 2016 Hydro wanted me to sign a new and different contract. This new contract would reduce my commission from 5% to 1%. Naturally this concerned me a little so I arranged to meet Wayne Preece [the chief executive officer of Hydro]." Mr Davies and Mr Preece allegedly met at the Morgans Hotel in Swansea. "We discussed the new agreement and discussed all the new business opportunities that had been presented to Hydro since my introductions," the claim read, adding that "lots" of potential contracts were mentioned including one with UAE waste management company Bee'ah. "I did not write any of them down as I took Wayne at his word that my interests and commission would be protected. I also believed I had some legal protection at that stage pursuant to the 2013 sales agreement. "On that evening Wayne Preece provided me with a 'forecast document' which suggested I would be receiving significant commission payments that would steadily increase over the next five years and then settle out resulting in a significant annual amount that would be life-changing for me. Even though my commission would be reducing from 5% to 1% even at 1% the forecast suggested I would be earning around £250,000 a year for the next 20 years from my commission payments. Naturally I now deeply regret trusting Wayne Preece on that night. "A few months later I signed the new 1% commission agreement in good faith. Unbeknown to me at the time negotiations were already ongoing and close to conclusion on the Bee'ah contract. I now know that the Bee'ah contract was signed on June 26, 2016, only a few weeks after I signed the 1% agreement. Had I still been entitled under my old contract at 5% I would have been entitled to a payment in excess of £125,000. I feel I was misled at the time but was not troubled as I had been assured that my 1% agreement would still bring me huge dividends. "Knowing what I now know it is clear that Hydro were becoming well aware of the potential for business in the UAE and Gulf states and wider and wanted to reduce my commission from 5% to 1% and then actually had no intention to pay any commission, in fact wanted to remove me completely." The claim accuses Hydro of "deception" in allegedly failing to disclose the Bee'ah contract. "I was told by Wayne Preece that there were lots of contracts 'in the pipeline' but nothing had actually been signed yet and that no monies had been received by Hydro as yet. This clearly was not the case and Bee'ah was close to signing and monies were about to be received, some of which I was entitled to." The claim was for £28,000 based on Hydro's alleged failures to pay 1% commission on deals after Mr Davies signed the 2016 contract but it also called for a ruling on whether he was entitled to 5%. When we inquired about the settlement Mr Davies declined to comment. Hydro, based in Llangennech, had net assets of £5,248,577 last year, £10,523,965 the preceding year, and £12,647,257 the year before that. The firm specialises in water purification technology and in recent years has won contracts in Ecuador, Bangladesh, and Egypt. Article continues below
