News

Family speak out after coroner calls for safety action following solicitor’s death

Published

6 months ago

December 7, 2025

THE SENIOR Coroner for Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire has said he will write to the South Wales Trunk Road Agency and Carmarthenshire Council to request further road markings on the A48, following the inquest into the tragic death of Swansea solicitor Emily Thornton-Sandy.

His action follows the devastating collision in which Emily died after another driver travelled the wrong way down the dual carriageway. The coroner recorded a conclusion of Road Traffic Collision.

Emily, from Pontarddulais, had been travelling home from a veterinary appointment at around midday on 5 November 2024 when the collision occurred between Pont Abraham and Cross Hands.

Her dog, Scout, sadly died shortly afterwards. Emily was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff but died six days later from catastrophic injuries. The collision involved two other vehicles.

At the inquest on 3 December 2025 at Llanelli Town Hall, Senior Coroner Paul Bennett said a 90-year-old driver had pulled out of a junction on the eastbound side of the A48 near Cross Hands, leaving Emily no time to react. Two other vehicles were also struck in the tragic sequence of events.

Evidence from Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that the road was in good condition, the weather was dry and overcast, visibility was clear, and the junction already had a sign instructing drivers to turn left. No emergency braking marks were found, and both drivers were wearing seatbelts.

The inquest also heard that the driver who caused the collision had been seen by a medic at his home two days earlier after experiencing a sudden loss of consciousness. He was assessed following the episode but, the court heard, there had been no medical instruction or clear indication at that time that he should not continue driving.

In light of the evidence, the coroner confirmed he will raise concerns with the South Wales Trunk Road Agency and Carmarthenshire Council about the junction from which the other driver exited moments before the fatal crash.

Emily’s family have welcomed the decision, hoping it will draw attention to long-standing safety concerns on a stretch of road where Dyfed-Powys Police recorded 169 crashes in just 12 months. However, they remain gravely concerned that further markings alone will not prevent future incidents, given that clear signage is already in place.*

Emily’s family have described her as intelligent, kind and compassionate, devoted to her work supporting people affected by asbestos exposure, and passionate about literature and houseplants. Three people benefited from organ donation following her heartbreaking death.

During the inquest, where the family were represented by Thompsons Solicitors, statements from Emily’s husband and parents were read out.

Her husband, Stuart, said he would do all he could to prevent other families suffering similar loss. He said: “Nobody should have to see their wife as I saw Emily in hospital. Emily lost her life and I lost my future. I never envisaged living my life without her. I felt like I lost purpose when I lost Emily and Scout.”

Emily’s parents described her death as an avoidable tragedy and urged people to speak up if they have concerns about the driving ability of an elderly relative, in the hope that it may prevent another family enduring such unbearable grief.

Helen Shakespeare, Partner at Thompsons Solicitors and the family’s legal representative, said: “Emily’s death was devastating to all who knew and loved her. The inquest has shown that what happened was entirely avoidable.

“The family therefore welcome the coroner’s decision to raise concerns with the highways authorities, but they remain deeply worried that more meaningful action is needed to address the wider safety issues on a road where so many serious incidents have occurred.”

Entertainment

The Big Retreat confirms first details for 2027 Pembrokeshire festival

Published

52 minutes ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Soul Space sessions, new relaxation areas and Abba Revival among early announcements

THE BIG RETREAT FESTIVAL has revealed the first details of its 2027 event in Pembrokeshire, with organisers promising new spaces, more inclusive activities and the return of a popular Main Stage act.

The festival will take place from May 28 to May 31, 2027, at Newton Farm, Lawrenny.

Organisers said they had been reflecting on feedback from this year’s event, with visitors most often describing the festival as “fun, relaxing and friendly.”

Among the changes already planned for 2027 is the inclusion of all sessions within The Soul Space as part of the standard festival ticket.

New areas dedicated to rest, relaxation and connection are also being introduced, giving visitors more opportunities to step away from busier parts of the site during the weekend.

The Talk Tent will move to the Village Green, while a new Gathering Place will also be created there. Hosted by the festival’s Solo Traveller Manager and Accessibility Manager, the space will be open to everyone as somewhere to meet others, ask questions, relax or take a moment out.

Other changes include new glamping accommodation with electric hook-ups and the return of the football pitch in Family Camping.

Organisers have also confirmed that Abba Revival will return to The Big Retreat Pembrokeshire in 2027 as the first announced Main Stage act.

The tribute act proved popular at this year’s event, with organisers saying the request to bring them back came up repeatedly in visitor feedback.

The festival team said: “One of the things we love most about The Big Retreat is that no two people experience it in the same way.

“Some come for the music. Some for the yoga. Some for the wild swimming. Some for the talks. Some for the food. Some for the adventure.

“However you choose to spend your weekend, our goal remains the same: Feel Good Your Way.”

First wave tickets are now on sale, with organisers also offering a ten-month payment plan.

Glamping accommodation for 2027, including the new electric hook-up options, is due to go on sale on Wednesday, June 17.

News

Police close Hakin Bridge amid welfare concern

Published

1 hour ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Bridge was shut for around 35 minutes while officers dealt with incident

POLICE temporarily closed Hakin Bridge in Milford Haven over the weekend following concerns for the welfare of an individual.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were called to the bridge at around 11:20pm on Saturday (June 13).

The road was closed shortly afterwards, at around 11:30pm, while officers dealt with the incident.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Dyfed-Powys Police received a call for a concern of welfare of an individual on Hakin Bridge, Milford Haven at around 11:20pm on Saturday, June 13.

“The individual was spoken to by officers at the scene, who ensured their safety.

“The road was closed from 11:30pm and reopened at approximately 12:05am on Sunday, June 14.”

The closure lasted around 35 minutes and affected traffic between Hakin and Milford Haven.

Photo caption:

Temporary closure: Hakin Bridge was closed while police dealt with the incident (Pic: File image).

Community

Pembrokeshire young people to benefit from new Youth Hub

Published

1 hour ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE is among 20 areas in Wales set to benefit from a Youth Hub aimed at helping young people into work, training and education.

The UK Labour Government has confirmed that seven more Youth Hubs will open across Wales over the next two years, in addition to 13 areas already announced in the first year of the programme.

Pembrokeshire was included in the first round of areas allocated a hub, alongside Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Caerphilly, Newport, Wrexham and others.

The hubs are designed to bring together job centre services, careers advice, skills and training opportunities, mental health support, housing advice and links to local employers offering live jobs and apprenticeships.

The aim is to ensure that every young person in Wales is no more than one hour away from a Youth Hub by public transport.

Shav Taj MS, Welsh Labour spokesperson for Employment and Equalities, said local and tailored support was “invaluable” in helping young people take their first step onto the jobs ladder.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said the hubs would help young people get “that vital first job” by providing support, training opportunities and connections to employers.

The UK Government says the Youth Hubs form part of a wider £2.5bn programme to tackle youth unemployment, with more than 360 local areas across Great Britain expected to be covered over the next three years.

Exact local sites will be decided by delivery partners working with local authorities.