Community

Tragic hospital crash: Father speaks of the moment he lost baby daughter

Published

10 months ago

February 10, 2025

A GREIVING father has spoken of the horrific moment he lost his eight-month-old daughter in a tragic crash outside Withybush Hospital. Rob Hall, originally from Fishguard and now living in Neath, was visiting his dying mother when a car ploughed into him, his brother, and his baby daughter, Mabli, as they stood outside the hospital in June 2023.

The devastating incident occurred while Rob was taking a short walk with Mabli in her pram, just minutes after they had said goodbye to his mother inside the hospital. A white BMW, driven by 71-year-old Bridget Curtis from Begelly, accelerated across a pavement and struck them. The impact threw Rob into a nearby parking bay and crushed Mabli’s pram beneath the vehicle. The baby girl was rushed to hospital with catastrophic injuries but tragically passed away four days later.

Speaking about the moment of the crash, Rob recalled: “I heard this horrible revving and screeching. The next thing I saw was this white car airborne. That was it. I was hit and thrown into a parking bay. The first thing I saw was the pram underneath the car. There was chaos, people running everywhere. Three nurses came over and picked me up because I couldn’t walk or stand. That didn’t matter. What mattered was where Mabli was.”

Mabli was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and later transferred to a children’s hospital in Bristol. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, doctors informed Rob and his wife Gwen that their daughter would not survive. She passed away in the early hours of June 25, just days after Rob’s mother had also succumbed to illness.

Curtis was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court last month after admitting to causing Mabli’s death by dangerous driving. The court heard that she had left the engine of her BMW running while looking for her handbag. The vehicle suddenly lurched forward, travelling 28 metres and reaching speeds of 30mph before the devastating collision. Judge Geraint Walters described the crash footage as “something that words cannot describe” and sentenced Curtis to four years in prison.

Rob and Gwen have expressed frustration over the drawn-out legal process and Curtis’s refusal to provide answers in the aftermath of the tragedy. “We waited so long for justice,” said Rob. “She answered ‘no comment’ to questions about what happened. To us, that is disgusting.”

Despite their grief, the couple have been overwhelmed by the support they have received from friends, family, and even strangers. A fundraising campaign in Mabli’s memory has already raised over £14,000 for the charity 2 Wish, which supports families affected by the sudden death of a child. The family plans to continue raising money in honour of their daughter.

“Mabli was the happiest baby I have ever known,” said her mother, Gwen. “She was so loved, and all she knew was love. She will always be a part of our lives, every single day.”

Original story by WalesOnline.

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

15 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

Published

16 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event

THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.

Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.

The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.

The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.

Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.

Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush

A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.

The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.

He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”

Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.

The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.

Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.

Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).