The family of a 17-year-old boy who drowned while on a college field trip are considering taking legal action.

Following an inquest into Jason Dalton's death held on Wednesday, it has also emerged that the Health and Safety Executive is deciding whether to bring charges over the death.

Mr Dalton from Bargoed, in the south Wales Valleys, drowned while trying to save a lecturer and a fellow student who had got into difficulty after jumping into a river during while walking in the Neath Valley.

The river Sychryd tends to swell after heavy rain

After recording a verdict of accidental death, the coroner recommended that only trained supervisors should lead groups into the Pontneddfechan area.

Speaking after the hearing, the teenager's family said his death was wholly avoidable, and that they are considering civil action.

The inquest heard how the tragedy unfolded last August after a lecturer Alun Davies and another student got into trouble while swimming in a swollen river during a walking trip to the Pontneddfechan waterfalls in the Neath Valley.

Mr Davies told he led six students on a walk along the banks of the river Sychryd when, as he had done several times in the past, he jumped 20ft from a ledge into a pool.

But, he said, after he had jumped a second time, he and a student were swept under a rock and nearly drowned.

Students reported seeing a "whirlpool" form in the water within a matter of seconds.

I saw his body floating facedown in the river.

Sarah Evans, Jason Dalton's girlfriend

Reports soon after the incident said heavy rain in the area at the time had made conditions treacherous.

Mr Dalton's girlfriend, Sarah Evans, then told how he had asked her for a kiss before he dived into the water to help his lecturer and fellow students.

She then watched as she was sucked under by the whirlpool.

No training

Mr Dalton was taken to Morriston Hospital in Swansea, but died soon after his arrival.

He had just started a 12-week personal development training course at Ystrad Mynach college, which involved activities outside the classroom.

Questioned by the solicitor's for Mr Dalton's family, Alun Davies said he had no outdoor pursuits qualifications, health and safety training or instructions from the college.

He told the coroner's court that he had taken a pocket first aid kit and a rope borrowed from the college caretaker.

All the group had left their mobiles in the minibus in case they got wet and it took about half an hour to summon help.