Company owner charged over the deaths of four paddleboarders in Pembrokeshire
Paul O’Dwyer, Andrea Powell, Morgan Rogers and Nicola Wheatley died after becoming trapped during a river tour in Haverfordwest in October 2021
Last updated 4th Oct 2024
A company owner has been charged over the deaths of four paddleboarders in Pembrokeshire.
Paul O'Dwyer, 42, from Port Talbot; Morgan Rogers, 24, from Merthyr Tydfil; Nicola Wheatley, 40, from Swansea; and Andrea Powell, 41, from Bridgend, all died after becoming trapped in Haverfordwest Town Weir during a river tour in October 2021.
Four other people survived the accident.
Almost two years ago, a report criticsed the safety planning by the tour's organisers.
39 year old Nerys Lloyd is accused of gross negligence manslaughter and a health and safety offence.
She's due to appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 3rd December 2024.
Dyfed-Powys Police statement
Detective Superintendent Cameron Ritchie, senior investigating officer, said:
“Following a lengthy and complex investigation, working closely with the Health and Safety Executive and the Crown Prosecution Service, Nerys Lloyd has today been charged with 4 counts of gross negligence manslaughter and 1 count under the Health and Safety At Work Act.
“The families of those who died and those who survived the incident have all been informed. As criminal proceedings are now underway it is important that there is no reporting, commentary or online posting that could prejudice this case.”
Crown Prosecution Service statement
Rosemary Ainslie, Head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said: “We have authorised Dyfed Powys Police to charge Nerys Lloyd, 39, with four counts of gross negligence manslaughter and one health and safety offence following the deaths of four paddleboarders in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, in 2021.
“The charges relate to a commercial paddleboarding river tour on 30 October, 2021, where four of the group became trapped in Haverfordwest Town Weir and tragically lost their lives.
“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that she has the right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”