Boy, 16, killed in waterfall on adventure trip to Wales

A 16-year-old boy died yesterday when he jumped into a waterfall while on a course at a council-owned activity centre in south Wales.

The teenager, from the London area, got into difficulties after jumping into a pool at the Scwd y Gladys Falls at Glynneath in the Brecon Beacons at about 2.30pm.

Members of his group, which was taking part in an adventure sports course at the Glasbury Outdoor Centre, tried to help him, while others went to a pub to call for assistance. Two police officers jumped into the pool to reach him. They got him out of the water but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The centre is owned by Redbridge Council in east London and council staff were among those who tried to help. The council regularly sends school pupils there for activities such as canoeing, climbing, pony-trekking and camping.

A council spokesman said: "The Glasbury Outdoor Centre has been in operation for almost 40 years and no accidents of this nature have occurred during that time. The councillors and staff at Redbridge Council are shocked to hear that a young man attending its Glasbury Outdoor Centre has died."

Last August, a college trip to waterfalls in the Neath Valley, less than two miles from the centre, ended in the drowning of Jason Dalton, 17.