02-07-2025
Heroic woman relives Keeper's Pond drowning rescue
Calls for increased safety at the pond were brought to attention following a serious incident on June 18 involving a 27-year-old man who nearly drowned to death.
Now another individual involved in the man's rescue has spoken out.
39-year-old Hannah Hopkinson from Clydach served in the Royal Airforce as a physical training instructor.
During the man's rescue Hannah helped by preforming lifesaving CPR.
Hannah Hopkinson was involved in the Keepers Pond Rescue (Image: Hannah Hopkinson) Speaking of the experience Hannah said: 'I cycled up to meet my friend to go for a swim we were chatting and somebody said, 'he's drowning!'
'I thought we'd get a dead body out because he was in there for so long.'
She recalled the rescue.
'There were people in the water trying to pull him out and people on the side helping calm family members. I stayed on the side talking to the emergency services.
'We got a sleeping bag around him because we were conscious, we had to keep him warm and that's when I ended up doing CPR on him.'
During the rescue someone with good intentions used safety equipment wrong.
Keepers Pond where a man recently almost drowned (Image: NQ) Hannah told the Argus: 'One person grabbed a life ring on the side, and they threw it in which was a great idea, but they let go of the string.
'If people knew how to use the equipment up there, it could have saved a lot of time.'
The possibility of a defibrillator on site was raised recently.
Councillor Janet Jones who believes a defibrillator should be installed (Image: NQ) Local Torfaen councillor Janet Jones has been advocating for a defibrillator to be installed at the popular tourist spot.
Speaking on the issue councillor Jones said: 'Over the past few year's leisure activities in and around the Keepers Pond have increased significantly, but with that comes concerns for public safety.
'Currently there are defibrillators at Blaenavon Fire Station and the Blaenavon Blues Football Club.
'Unless you are a local resident, and know where these are situated, this could be costly when trying to save a life.'
Hannah shared her thoughts around a defibrillator.
'I don't think a defibrillator would work it would be vandalised. In my opinion more emergency kit that could be used like the life ring which there was one of.
'Or floating lanes I recently went to a camp site with my children and there were floating lanes everywhere.'
Keepers Pond where a man recently almost drowned (Image: NQ) Hannah also thought greater education on water safety should be rolled out.
'There are lots of great courses the RNLI offer free first aid training.
'It's about having awareness just because it looks safe it isn't necessarily, and it makes people think if someone was in trouble what would I do?'
Keepers Pond, also known as Pen-ffordd-goch Pond or Forge Pond, is a man-made reservoir.
Originally built to supply water to the Garnddyrys Forge in the early 19th century. The forge closed in the 1860s, and the pond has since become a popular beauty spot.
