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Near drowning highlights the dangers of tides

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flynnA MILFORD HAVEN boy is very lucky to be alive after being caught up in the very fast Pembrokeshire tide. 

Flynn Chapman, aged two and a half, was with his family last weekend crabbing off the popular bridge at Sandy Haven. His mother Kelly Walters explained about the horrifying sequence of events that then transpired, in an interview with The Herald: “Last Sunday, Paul (her partner) and I, along with our three children and a friend, went to Sandy Haven beach. The children were playing for a while on the edge of the sea, with Paul next to them. The crabbing bridge was covered with water as it was high tide so we were waiting for the tide to go out so that the children could see if they could catch some crabs with nets. “After a while we noticed a few other people on the bridge so we all wandered over together. The two girls wandered onto the bridge while me, Paul, Jaden and Flynn played in the water very close to the bridge, and after about five minutes Jaden decided to go on the bridge and Flynn followed him. “As we were so close and watching them we let Flynn go with Jaden. After a few minutes Jaden and Flynn sat down on the bridge. Next minute, all I saw was Flynn tumble off the bridge. Jaden automatically jumped in and grabbed his foot but the current just took him. “There was another man on the bridge who looked over the side and I realised he couldn’t see him either, that’s when the panic set in and I screamed. Me and Paul both ran through the water and Paul dived head first under but couldn’t see him because of rocks and seaweed. He just put his arms out and tried to feel and that’s when he felt a leg, there was another man there as well, trying to get Flynn out and between them they got him.” Kelly went on to explain what happened after her son had been pulled out of the water: “He was very shocked, he was holding his breath and that’s when I heard the best sound ever – his cry. I phoned NHS direct and they immediately sent an ambulance, and he was taken to Withybush Hospital and checked over. All of his observations were fine. I didn’t realise when the tide is going out that is when the current is at its strongest. If I would have known this I would have been more vigilant.” Speaking to The Herald about how this experience could be turned into a positive message, Kelly continued: “I want people to understand that no matter how deep the water is, it is still a danger. I have thought to myself I should have been on that bridge, and people may think the same, but the water was not deep and I just didn’t see a great danger. I was standing less than 20 yards away and I was watching him the whole time. I want to thank a few members of the public as they were fantastic: Lisa Reynolds and her partner Gareth Paines who helped Paul pull him out and Jeanette Williams and her husband Keith. We are reliving it over and over in our heads, I am so exhausted thinking about it.” An RNLI spokesperson told The Herald: “Most accidents happen during seemingly safe activities like swimming or walking, although it’s not just water-based activities that put people in danger slips and falls are a common issue. Cold water shock is also a significant danger: the UK sea temperature is cold enough yearround to trigger cold water shock. “We would advise all those who are visiting the coast to stay away from cliff edges, stick to marked pathways and read safety signs. If you get caught in a rip current, don’t try to swim against it; if you can, swim parallel to the shore until free of the rip, and then raise your hand and shout for help.”

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Open day at new St Davids housing development

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PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is celebrating the completion of Phase 1 Llys Glasfryn, St Davids.

The development was built by GRD Homes, and Phase 1 consists of 4 x 2 bed bungalows, and 3 x 1 bed bungalows.

Phase 2 consists of 11 x 2 bed bungalows, which it is hoped will be completed early 2026.

All properties within Phase 1 have been allocated, and Phase 2 properties will be available for bidding a few months before completion.

A Local Lettings Policy is used to allocate these properties, which was created in conjunction with local members, St Davids City Council, and the local community.

To celebrate the completion of Phase 1, Pembrokeshire County Council is holding an open day in one of the newly completed properties.

This will be held on Tuesday 28th January 2025, from 2pm – 6pm. This is for members of the public to view the site and one of the properties, ask questions, and provide feedback.

Cllr Michelle Bateman, Cabinet Member for Housing Operations, said: “These high quality homes will provide much needed housing in St Davids and form part of our wider development programme.

“Increasing the supply of affordable housing is a key priority for Cabinet and I look forward to meeting new tenants and the wider community at the open day event.”

For more information on Pembrokeshire County Council’s housing developments, or this event, please call 01437 764551, or email [email protected]

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Agricultural shed fire on Narberth Road in Saundersfoot

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CREWS from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service stations in Tenby and Milford Haven were called to a fire on Narberth Road, Saundersfoot, at 1:05pm on Monday (Jan 27).

The blaze involved a caravan and an agricultural shed measuring approximately 15 metres by 15 metres. The shed, which contained vehicles and machinery, was completely destroyed along with the caravan.

Firefighters used two hose reel jets, two main jets, an otter pump, and a water shuttle system drawing from an open water source to bring the fire under control.

Crews left the scene at 3:20pm.

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Crime

Prison bosses dismiss assault rumours against Southport killer

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PRISON authorities have denied claims circulating on social media that Axel Rudakubana, the Southport killer convicted of murdering three young girls, has been attacked while in custody. The rumours, which gained traction after the circulation of a voice note on Sunday (Jan 26), alleged that the 18-year-old was assaulted by two inmates at HMP Manchester, where he is serving his sentence.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice firmly dismissed the allegations, stating: “Reports of Axel Rudakubana being attacked in prison are inaccurate. He has not been attacked.”

Rudakubana, originally from Cardiff but residing in the Lancashire village of Banks for the past decade, was sentenced on Thursday to a minimum of 52 years behind bars. His crimes, described as among the most extreme and shocking in recent history, included the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, as well as the attempted murder of ten others. The brutal attack took place on July 29 last year at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.

During sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court, Mr Justice Goose outlined the horrifying details of Rudakubana’s calculated and violent actions. “He walked straight into the building, up the stairs to where he could hear the sound of happy children. His intention was clear: to murder as many of them as he physically could.”

Over a harrowing 15 minutes, Rudakubana fatally attacked three children, severely injured eight others, and wounded two adults who attempted to intervene. The judge highlighted the unrelenting nature of his violence: “After the other children escaped, he remained in the upstairs room, where he returned to attack two of the youngest victims, stabbing them multiple times. His actions demonstrated a determined intention to cause maximum suffering.”

Mr Justice Goose condemned Rudakubana’s actions as “the most extreme, shocking and exceptionally serious crime.” The judge noted that the carnage could have been even worse if not for the bravery of those who escaped and intervened.

Rudakubana’s case has left a community in mourning and sparked national outrage. As he begins his decades-long sentence, the Ministry of Justice has assured the public that he is being closely monitored and that claims of an attack on him in prison are baseless.

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