Source · Prevention of Future Deaths
Jayden Long and Eddie Hill
Ref: 2026-0423
Date: 10 Sep 2026
Coroner: Sarah Riley
Area: North West Wales
56-day deadline: 6 Nov 2026 (stated in the report)
Responses identified: 0 of 1
0 responses identified · 1 indexed addressee
Response deadline: 6 November 2026 (stated in the report).
Coroner's concerns
Coroner’s Concerns (source excerpt)
1. Evidence identified that not all service failures had been recognised or recorded as areas requiring improvement e.g there is no organisational policy or procedure in place to guide call handlers, call centre supervisors or others within the Force when responding to calls from remote, mountainous locations and no training is provided. A lack of...
View full coroner's concerns
1. Evidence identified that not all service failures had been recognised or recorded as areas requiring improvement e.g there is no organisational policy or procedure in place to guide call handlers, call centre supervisors or others within the Force when responding to calls from remote, mountainous locations and no training is provided. A lack of guidance, training and documented process raises a potential for risks in the future.
2. The systems in place for sharing identified learning were inadequate. Evidence identified that learning arising from this incidnent was shared primarily through discussions with individual members of staff. This may lead to inconsistent messaging and a difference in understanding.
3. No evidence was available as to whether identified learning had been formally recorded or disseminated more widely across the Force.
4. Whether calls received by North Wales Police are routinely audited was not known. This raises a concern that service failures are not routinely identified and addressed.
2. The systems in place for sharing identified learning were inadequate. Evidence identified that learning arising from this incidnent was shared primarily through discussions with individual members of staff. This may lead to inconsistent messaging and a difference in understanding.
3. No evidence was available as to whether identified learning had been formally recorded or disseminated more widely across the Force.
4. Whether calls received by North Wales Police are routinely audited was not known. This raises a concern that service failures are not routinely identified and addressed.
Report sections
Investigation and inquest
On the 27th February 2026 , I commenced an investigation into the death of Jayden Jackson Long and Eddie Joseph Hill aged 19 and 20 years.
The two individuals were discovered deceased at 11.04am on the 19th February 2026, having fallen down steep, mountainous terrain, in adverse weather with the ground covered in ice and snow.
The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on the 10th September 2026. The conclusion of the inquest was “accident”.
The cause of death recorded in respect of both individuals was “1a Multiple Traumatic Injuries”
The two individuals were discovered deceased at 11.04am on the 19th February 2026, having fallen down steep, mountainous terrain, in adverse weather with the ground covered in ice and snow.
The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on the 10th September 2026. The conclusion of the inquest was “accident”.
The cause of death recorded in respect of both individuals was “1a Multiple Traumatic Injuries”
Circumstances of the death
JJL and EJH had travelled from their homes in Norwich to North Wales with the intention of climbing Snowdon. They parked in the Pen y Pass car park at 12.50pm on the 18th February 2026 and began their ascent. The route they intended to take is not known. Likewise, the route they did take is not known.
At 16.22hrs, EJH sent his girlfriend a message noting that due to the weather they were going back down the ridge. We do not know what ridge they were on at the time. On the basis of this evidence, I found that they had not reached the summit and had began their descent on or around 16.22hrs.
At 16.27pm on the 18th February, North Wales Police were presented with a discontinued call from JJL’s mobile. On playback, Jayden was heard to say “hello” followed by “can you hear me?” before contact was lost. North Wales Police made attempts to contact the mobile number from which the discontinued call was made but were unsuccessful.
Attempts by North Wales Police to establish who the mobile number belonged to were limited and they did not contact Mountain Rescue until 19.38hrs. At that point, the following actions were agreed between North Wales Police and Mountain Rescue:
1. Can the Police ascertain the name associated with this phone?
2. What do North Wales Police know about the person who made the call? 3. What is the address associated with the mobile number. Once the address is known, can officers visit and discover whether a person from that address is believed or known to be in the North Wales area and planning to climb a mountain, particularly Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon?
4. Is there a vehicle associated with this person?
5. If there is a vehicle, is there any ANPR data for this vehicle?
6. Is the person believed to be alone or with others?
The above intelligence enquiries had not been actioned in advance of contact with Mountain Rescue. There is no organisational policy or procedure available to guide staff in respect of the intelligence enquiries that should be considered in circumstances such as those with which NWP were presented in this case.
At 16.22hrs, EJH sent his girlfriend a message noting that due to the weather they were going back down the ridge. We do not know what ridge they were on at the time. On the basis of this evidence, I found that they had not reached the summit and had began their descent on or around 16.22hrs.
At 16.27pm on the 18th February, North Wales Police were presented with a discontinued call from JJL’s mobile. On playback, Jayden was heard to say “hello” followed by “can you hear me?” before contact was lost. North Wales Police made attempts to contact the mobile number from which the discontinued call was made but were unsuccessful.
Attempts by North Wales Police to establish who the mobile number belonged to were limited and they did not contact Mountain Rescue until 19.38hrs. At that point, the following actions were agreed between North Wales Police and Mountain Rescue:
1. Can the Police ascertain the name associated with this phone?
2. What do North Wales Police know about the person who made the call? 3. What is the address associated with the mobile number. Once the address is known, can officers visit and discover whether a person from that address is believed or known to be in the North Wales area and planning to climb a mountain, particularly Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon?
4. Is there a vehicle associated with this person?
5. If there is a vehicle, is there any ANPR data for this vehicle?
6. Is the person believed to be alone or with others?
The above intelligence enquiries had not been actioned in advance of contact with Mountain Rescue. There is no organisational policy or procedure available to guide staff in respect of the intelligence enquiries that should be considered in circumstances such as those with which NWP were presented in this case.
Action should be taken
In my opinion unless action is taken to address the above concerns then there is a significant risk of future deaths and I believe each of you have the power to take such action.
Copies sent to
- I can confirm I have sent the report to: [please do not use individual’s names, but instead roles/titles]
- 1.North Wales Police
Similar PFD reports Shared signals
Responses identified
1 response not yet linked
Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 6 Nov 2026 (stated in the report).
Sent to
- North Wales Police
Source links
Data: judiciary.uk.