Mother Passes Away After Falling into River on Her Way Home From Night Out
(Image: South Wales Police)
The untimely passing of Claire Joanne Morgan, a cherished mother-of-two described as the “life and soul of the party,” has left a community grieving after she tragically lost her life while walking home from a night out. Details emerging from an inquest held at Swansea’s Guildhall shed light on the events leading to her heartbreaking demise on July 22nd last year.
Claire and her husband Christian were making their way home from a function at Ystalyfera Rugby Club amidst treacherous weather conditions when tragedy struck. As the rain poured and visibility dwindled, Christian realized he had left his coat behind at the club and hurried back to retrieve it, leaving Claire to continue the journey alone.
South Wales Police detective constable Annie Rees recounted how Claire, a former Pontardawe and Ystalyfera school pupil known for her vivacious spirit, was last seen walking along Varteg Road, Ystalyfera, before taking a familiar shortcut down a lane bordering a river – a route she traversed twice daily while walking her dogs, reported by North Wales Live.
However, that fateful evening, the river’s water levels were alarmingly high, and amidst the inclement weather, Claire tragically entered the water. Concern grew when Claire failed to return home, prompting one of her sons to contact the police the following morning to report her disappearance, a departure from her usual routine. A missing person’s appeal ensued, with tactical search officers scouring the path she had taken, revealing no signs of her whereabouts. However, the terrain was deemed hazardous, characterized by uneven ground and a steep drop to the river below.
Community efforts joined the search, but it was Gareth and Emma Jones who made the devastating discovery, locating Claire’s lifeless body in the River Tawe at Ynysmeudwy. Described by her mother as a vibrant and sociable individual, Claire’s presence lit up any gathering. She was a dedicated mother to her two sons, a devoted preschool manager, and an integral member of her community.
The inquest revealed that Claire had been enjoying vodka and Coke at the rugby club event, expressing excitement about an upcoming concert at Singleton Park the following day. Despite efforts to reach her via her mobile phone after she went missing, no response was received, and her phone was never recovered.
A post-mortem examination confirmed the cause of death as drowning, with the coroner returning a conclusion of misadventure, highlighting the tragic circumstances surrounding Claire’s passing. As the community mourns the loss of a beloved friend, mother, and colleague, Claire’s memory will forever be cherished by those whose lives she touched with her vibrant spirit and caring nature.
