Dropped 130ft from a Cliff, I'm Learning to Walk Again

A Life-Changing Fall from a Cliff

A mother of two, Leah Matthews, is currently undergoing a challenging recovery after falling 130 feet from a cliff while on a walk with her partner and their dogs. The incident occurred in mid-Wales’ Waterfall Country on October 4th, when Leah and Anthony decided to take their dogs, Bear and Lola, for a walk at Henrhyd Falls. What was meant to be a peaceful outing turned into a life-threatening accident.

Leah described the fall as a “miracle” she survived, stating it felt like “never ending… I thought I was going to die.” She suffered multiple broken bones, including eight ribs, a shattered hip, three pelvic fractures, a fractured right foot, and a punctured lung. Now, she faces the daunting task of relearning how to walk.

The accident happened when the couple were admiring the scenery and taking selfies along a footpath near the Graig Llech gorge. Lola, Leah’s brother’s cocker spaniel, veered off the path and began slipping down a bank. Leah tried to help by using a stick to hook Lola’s harness and pull her back up. As she crouched, she lost her balance and fell over the edge of the cliff.

Anthony quickly tied Bear to a tree to assist Leah, but by the time he reached her, she had already fallen into the river below. Leah recalls trying to stop herself, grabbing anything she could, and slamming her foot against a rock. She believes that falling on her back saved her life, as a head-first impact could have been fatal.

A Race Against Time

Leah remembers the moment she landed in the Nant Llech river, struggling to breathe and hearing Anthony shouting her name. He managed to reach her, pulled her from the water, and placed her in the recovery position before searching for mobile signal to call emergency services. Leah jokingly refers to Anthony as “Tarzan” for his daring descent down the gorge.

First responders included police, fire service, mountain rescue, and paramedics. Transporting Leah to a point where she could be airlifted to the hospital took five hours, during which she developed hypothermia. Despite the challenges, she expressed deep gratitude for the efforts of her rescuers.

At University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, scans revealed the extent of her injuries, requiring two surgeries and five blood transfusions. She was later transferred to Royal Glamorgan Hospital, where she began the process of preparing to return home. Leah now uses a wheelchair and is confined to a hospital bed at home.

Long Road to Recovery

Leah was told it would take at least eight weeks before she could stand again, with physiotherapy to begin once she can support her own weight. However, there is no clear timeline for her recovery, and she has already missed out on many aspects of her life, especially time with her children, Ellis and Summer.

As a mental health support worker, Leah was set to start a new job the week following the fall, which is now on hold. Her mother has taken special leave from work to care for her full-time, adding financial strain to an already difficult situation.

“I’ve always been a very outgoing person,” Leah said. “I don’t sit down. I’ve always been the one who cooks meals and does everyone’s washing. It’s just so hard to be stuck in a bed and not be able to do anything.”

Emotional and Physical Challenges

Leah also received counseling to help her deal with trauma-related nightmares, where she would wake up in a panic, feeling like she was falling again. She admitted that, in hindsight, it was a mistake to let the dogs off their leads, though she stressed that conditions were good, and she was wearing walking boots. She deliberately stayed on the path and was unaware of the hidden cliff, as it was obscured by trees and bushes.

Leah urged others to be cautious when enjoying nature, emphasizing the importance of awareness. National Trust Cymru, which manages the area, stated that they had been informed of the incident and considered the guidance of the Visitor Safety Group. They noted that they aim to preserve people’s right to choose activities while balancing risk management. For now, they have no plans to add further safety measures at the location.

A New Perspective

Despite the physical and emotional challenges, Leah remains grateful for her survival. She acknowledges that her children could have been without a mother, and she is determined to make a full recovery. Her journey has been tough, but she continues to focus on healing and rebuilding her life.