Family on teen drowning verdict

Herve Bola had been staying at a centre near Brecon

The family of a 16-year-old who drowned during an activity holiday said they are "delighted" an inquest has ruled that he was unlawfully killed.

Herve Bola, from Woodford Green in London, who could not swim, died at the Sgwd Gwladys Falls in the Neath Valley, south Wales in July 2002.

His family are now considering taking the case to a criminal court.

Teaching unions have called for talks with the Welsh assembly and UK Government over guidelines for staff.

After the inquest, the family's solicitor said Herve's mother and grandmother now wanted the Crown Prosecution Service to reconsider its decision not to take any criminal action over Herve's death.

The death happened at the Sgwd Gwladys falls

Herve's cousin Alain Esale said the family would now be discussing the case with their lawyers to assess the individual responsibility of the people involved.

"It has been a long time since the whole thing started but we reached a verdict, everything came to light," he said.

"At least someone has been held responsible, and it is the first stage. Probably we are considering the second step, to go to the criminal court."

The inquest heard that the teenager was on a trip to an outdoor education centre in Glasbury, near Brecon, along with more than a dozen other boys.

Herve had jumped into the freezing water at the falls near the Brecon Beacons, but panicked and drowned within seconds.

When something does go wrong, as from time to time does happen, it is then the teacher who has to has to carry the brunt of the responsibility Geraint Davies, NASUWT Cymru

The inquest heard other members of the group say that youth worker Daniel Brown had told Herve, a non-swimmer, that he would save him if he jumped into the water.

Senior instructor Ian McLeod told the jury he had not heard Mr Brown say those words.

Mr Brown, who worked part-time for Redbridge Council, denied encouraging Herve to jump in the water, and said he had not actually spoken to the teenager while at the falls area.

Dyfed-Powys Police said in light of the verdict, the force would "further consult" with the CPS, but said any further comment would be inappropriate at this time.

'Deeply disturbing'

Geraint Davies, Secretary of teaching union NASUWT Cymru, said they already advised members not to involve themselves in activity trips.

"We live unfortunately we live in a blame culture and a compensation culture and when something does go wrong, as from time to time does happen, it is then the teacher who has to has to carry the brunt of the responsibility," he said.

"In terms of guidelines, we need to sit down with the Welsh Assembly Government and the central government in London to make sure that those guidelines are much firmer than they already are," he said.

On Wednesday, Gethin Lewis, Head of the National Union of Teachers Wales, said the verdict was "deeply disturbing" and could "deter teachers, youth workers and others from providing young people with these valuable educational and social opportunities".

He added the union would look at the possibility of a legal challenge.