A BODY has been discovered by police searching for a man who went missing in a river during Storm Bert.

Although formal identification is yet to take place, the family of Brian Perry, 75, has been informed of the discovery.

Mr Perry was reported missing after he was swept away in the River Conwy near Trefriw, Conwy county, around 4:30pm on Saturday. He had been walking with his wife and their dog in an area severely affected by floodwater, North Wales Police said.

Chief Inspector Simon Kneale confirmed that Mr Perry’s family is receiving support from officers. He described the situation as “a particularly difficult time for this gentleman’s family.”

Storm Bert’s impact across Wales

Storm Bert has brought widespread disruption across Wales, with homes and roads submerged under floodwaters and dozens of flood warnings issued. The storm has caused extensive damage, lifting cars off their wheels and leaving communities grappling with its aftermath.

In South Wales, Rhondda Cynon Taf council declared a major incident due to severe flooding. Pontypridd has been one of the hardest-hit areas, with residents on Sion Street forced to bail out their homes after floodwaters surged without warning on Sunday morning.

Steve West, a businessman in Pontypridd, described the flooding as overwhelming. “We just have to wait for the water to recede and then help clear out the shops,” he said. Flooding has also been reported on Mill Street, with properties severely affected.

Emergency response and landslides

Rest centres have been established for displaced residents at Ystrad Sports Centre, Pontypridd Library, and Sobell Leisure Centre in Aberdare. Despite the council distributing thousands of sandbags, council leader Andrew Morgan said the intensity of the weather had been “simply overwhelming.”

In addition to flooding, landslides have caused further disruption. The A4106 Bwlch Road between Treorchy and Nantymoel was closed after a landslip scattered debris across the highway. A similar incident in Merthyr Tydfil forced the Brecon Mountain Railway to cancel its special Christmas services.

Power outages and water issues

Over 1,300 properties in South and West Wales were without power on Sunday morning, according to the National Grid. Welsh Water advised more than 10,000 residents in Rhondda Cynon Taf to boil their tap water after identifying quality issues at the Tynywaun water treatment works.

Weather warnings remain in place

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for strong winds across several counties, including Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, and Pembrokeshire, until 9:00pm on Sunday. While the worst of the rain is expected to ease by the afternoon, up to 40mm of rainfall may still affect some areas, particularly over higher ground.

As Wales begins to recover from the devastation caused by Storm Bert, emergency services and communities continue their efforts to address the extensive damage left in its wake.

FLOODING has wreaked havoc across large areas of Wales following relentless rainfall overnight and into this morning. Weather warnings remain in place, and numerous roads have been closed due to hazardous conditions. Affected residents and motorists are urged to stay informed and avoid travel where possible.

TRANSPORT CHAOS

A railway line in the Cynon Valley has been submerged, with images showing Cwmbach train station entirely underwater. Severe flooding has also been reported in the Rhondda, Pontypridd, Blackwood, and Ebbw Vale. Roads across the region, including the A465 and sections of the A5 and A494, are impassable, with diversions causing significant delays.

COMMUNITIES HIT HARD

Residents on Sion Street, Pontypridd, face some of the worst conditions. Photos show householders using buckets and bins to bail out floodwater, as emergency services work tirelessly to assist. Berw Road, also in Pontypridd, has seen similar devastation, with businesses and homes overwhelmed by water. Cardiff’s Bute Park has been closed due to the risk of flooding.

In Blackwood, the local rugby club and surrounding areas are submerged, leaving vehicles stranded. A restaurant in the town, Bistro 8, remains closed due to rising waters.

MAJOR INCIDENTS DECLARED

Rhondda Cynon Taf council has declared a major incident, citing “significant flooding” across the area. Emergency centres have been opened, and sandbags distributed to mitigate further damage. Merthyr Tydfil council also reported several inaccessible roads and is providing evacuation centres for affected residents.

TRAGIC LOSS AND RESCUES

In England, a man in his 60s tragically lost his life after a tree fell on his car during Storm Bert. Meanwhile, in Trefriw, north Wales, a man remains missing after going running with his dog as floodwaters rose. Emergency services have located the dog but continue to search for the man.

WEATHER WARNINGS AND ADVICE

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for heavy rain, covering areas including Cardiff, Swansea, and Powys. Earlier warnings for strong winds have been lifted. Natural Resources Wales reports nearly 50 flood warnings and 60 flood alerts across the country.

Residents are urged to prepare by following flood preparedness advice, which includes having sandbags ready and signing up for weather updates. Affected train services have been replaced with buses, and delays are expected to continue.

CALLS FOR ACTION

Plaid Cymru MS Heledd Fychan has called for more action to prevent recurring flooding, pointing to lessons unlearned from the devastating floods of 2020 during Storms Ciara and Dennis. She pledged ongoing support for affected communities and promised to campaign for better flood defences in the Senedd.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Gwent Police, alongside emergency services and local councils, have warned against unnecessary travel and advised against driving through floodwaters. Residents are reminded to report floods to their local councils and to dial 999 in emergencies.

POLICE have described the death of seven-year-old Louis Linse at the hands of his mother as a “heartbreaking incident” that has deeply impacted officers and the local community.

Papaipit Linse, 43, from Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility at Swansea Crown Court earlier this week. Louis was found unresponsive in his bed on January 10 after Linse called emergency services to report his death.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Williams, who led the investigation, reflected on the tragic events and the challenges faced by his team.

“This was a truly heartbreaking incident, involving the death of a young child at the hands of his mother,” DCI Williams said. “Officers who attended the scene were met with an incredibly difficult and emotive situation, yet they acted with professionalism and care, ensuring that a thorough investigation was conducted.”

The case has not only shocked the local community in Haverfordwest but has also brought to light the deep personal struggles and trauma faced by Linse in the years leading up to the tragedy.

A troubled family history

Linse, originally from Chiang Mai, Thailand, is the estranged wife of 51-year-old Edward Linse, a former businessman now detained in a psychiatric facility. Their marriage was marked by years of domestic violence, financial hardship, and failed business ventures.

In 2017, Edward assaulted his wife at their £1.2m Cheshire home during an argument about visa issues. The attack, carried out with a children’s book as a weapon, highlighted the volatile nature of their relationship. His lawyer, Peter Malone, told the court that Edward struggled to control his emotions, which he traced back to difficulties experienced during his boarding school years.

The violence escalated over the years, with Edward eventually convicted of a brutal assault on his own parents. Following his incarceration in a psychiatric facility, Linse was left to care for their two children alone.

The breakdown of their marriage was compounded by financial woes. After the failure of a café venture in Chiang Mai, the couple relocated to the UK. In 2022, their landscaping business, Alderley Landscapes, ceased trading, leaving Linse to move to Haverfordwest with her children in search of a fresh start.

Life in Haverfordwest

Neighbours in Upper Market Street described Linse as a quiet, reserved figure who homeschooled her two children. Despite her struggles, those close to the family said Louis appeared well-cared-for, with one neighbour, Dr Sean Phelan, expressing disbelief at the tragedy.

“I never thought something like this could happen,” Dr Phelan said. “The children were polite and seemed happy. It’s shocking to think of what must have been going on behind closed doors.”

Forensic teams have been working at the scene since the incident, piecing together the circumstances surrounding Louis’ death. Floral tributes have been placed outside the property as the community mourns the young boy’s loss.

Police dedication

DCI Williams praised the dedication of the officers involved in the investigation, acknowledging the emotional toll such cases can have on emergency responders.

“Our team has worked tirelessly since January to uncover the circumstances of Louis’ death and to ensure justice was brought for him,” he said. “While no result in court can undo this loss, we hope it offers some measure of closure to those who knew and loved Louis. Our thoughts remain with them during this devastating time.”

The case also serves as a reminder of the importance of early intervention and support for families facing domestic violence and mental health issues. Police urged anyone in similar situations to seek help from local services.

Awaiting sentencing

Linse has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on December 13. The court is expected to consider the impact of her mental health struggles and the years of abuse she endured when determining her sentence.

As the investigation concludes, the police and community alike continue to grapple with the profound loss of a young life under such tragic circumstances.

Papaipit Linse: Admits killing her son, but denies murder