Swansea man drowns at waterfall saving nieces

A 27-year-old man drowned at a waterfall after he saved the lives of his young nieces who got into difficulty in the water, an inquest heard.

Mohananeethan “Mohan” Muruganantharajah, from Swansea was visiting Sgwd y Pannwr falls at Bannau Brycheiniog, also known as the Brecon Beacons, with extended family in September 2023 when some of them “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,” said South Wales Central area coroner Patricia Morgan. “However, sadly, Mohananeethan was pulled under the water and did not resurface.”

The coroner recorded the shopkeeper’s death as an accident.

In a family tribute, Mr Muruganantharajah was described as “a brother figure to everyone”.

He was described as a “hero” by contributors to an online fundraising campaign which raised almost £3,000 in his memory.

The hearing at Pontypridd was previously told the two children rescued by Sri Lankan-born Mr Muruganantharajah, a qualified pilot, were his nieces.

But, after helping them to safety, he became stuck under a ledge.

His body was recovered the following day by specialists.