01-08-2025
Hero uncle drowns saving the lives of young nieces at Welsh waterfall
A shopkeeper tragically drowned at a Welsh waterfall after he went into the water to save the lives of his young nieces.
A coroner has ruled the death of 27-year-old Mohananeethan "Mohan" Muruganantharajah, 27, an accident when he died at Bannau Brycheiniog, or the Brecon Beacons.
Mr Muruganantharajah - a qualified pilot who ran an off-licence in Swansea - visited the Sgwd y Pannwr waterfall at Ystradfellte with his extended family on September 1, 2023, Pontypridd coroner's court heard. Coroner Patricia Morgan said: "The purpose of the visit was to walk and enjoy the scenery, reports WalesOnline.
"When arriving at the waterfall, a number of members of his family decided to enter the water as the weather was pleasant.
"Due to a number of Mohananeethan's family getting into some difficulty, he assisted them to safety. However, sadly Mohananeethan was pulled under the water and did not resurface.
"Emergency services attended but were unable to rescue Mohananeethan. He was recovered from the water on Saturday, September 2, 2023, when he was declared deceased."
The court previously heard the two children rescued by Sri Lankan-born Mr Muruganantharajah were his nieces. After helping them to safety he became stuck under a ledge.
In her conclusion Ms Morgan recorded the death as an accident.
A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said at the time: "We were called to Sgwd y Pannwr waterfall, Ystradfellte, at approximately 4.40pm on Friday, September 1, to a report of a man having gone into the water to rescue two children and not come out.
"A multi-agency response was commenced with representation from the police, fire service, mountain rescue, HART (hazardous area response team) and both the UK Air Rescue Team and the Wales Air Ambulance landing their aircrafts nearby.
"At shortly after 7pm the fire service located the body of 27-year-old Mohananeethan Muruganantharaja in the water with an underwater camera.
"Unfortunately, due to conditions at the site recovery was not possible that evening, and specialist divers were brought in the following morning. His family is being supported by specialist officers."
