News
Newgale: Nine injured, two seriously, after car crashes into busy campsite
THE TRANQUIL atmosphere of Newgale Campsite abruptly disrupted last night (Aug 12) as a car crashed into the premises, causing ‘screaming and panic’ amongst patrons. Witnesses at the location recounted the stark image of a blue Ford Fiesta lying sideways amidst the campsite.
The car was travelling in the direction from Haverfordwest to St Davids on the A477 when he lost control in a 30mph zone. Early evidence from the scene hints at high speed being a significant factor in the incident. Specialist officers are on-site, working to determine the accident’s precise cause.
The magnitude of the incident saw an immediate and substantial response from emergency services. Teams from the police, ambulance, fire brigade, coastguard, and a rescue helicopter were all dispatched promptly. The Welsh Ambulance Service’s response was notably comprehensive, as they detailed: “We engaged six emergency ambulances, one duty operations manager, one Cymru high acuity response unit. Additionally, our personnel were aided by the emergency medical and retrieval transfer service and a search and rescue helicopter.”
Six of the casualties were swiftly taken to hospitals across Wales. One critically injured individual was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, while four others were rushed to Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen. Another casualty was transported to Swansea’s Morriston Hospital. Details regarding the extent of their injuries are still forthcoming.
HM Coastguard in Broad Haven said: “The team were paged at 11.23pm last night to assist with multi-agency incident in Newgale.
“We organised a helicopter site and supported paramedics with casualty care.”
WITNESS ACCOUNTS AND MIRACULOUS ESCAPE
Campsite owner Mike Harris said that there were around 15 emergency vehicles in attendance and that he believed nine people had been injured in total. He said: “There are no fatalities and from what I understand none of the injuries are life-threatening but I would say some are certainly life changing.”
He said that the vehicle appeared to hit an area where a group of people from several tents had gathered outside their tents to socialise.
He said: “It happened at 10:38pm, I had left the campsite four minutes earlier and didn’t hear or see anything.
“My staff heard the screaming and informed me immediately while they called the emergency services.
“I think they first thought there would have been fatalities and that’s why there were so many emergency vehicles here.
“I think one baby was saved purely by the fact it was in a cot.”
The A487, which passes through Newgale, was temporarily sealed for investigations but was reopened by 10 am on Sunday, Aug 13. Newgale Campsite, in spite of the night’s tragic events, continues its operations.
CONCERNS ON HOSPITAL DOWNGRADE
Audrey Thomas, from the ‘Save Withybush Campaign’, expressed deep concerns about local hospital services. She voiced worries about the recent downgrades, stating, “This distressing incident emphasises the pivotal need for a LOCAL hospital.” Thomas further emphasised the risks posed by removing essential community services, urging decision-makers to consider the broader community’s safety.
POLICE STATEMENT
The police released a statement on Sunday saying: “We are appealing for witnesses or information following a serious collision, which saw a car crash off the A487 and into a campsite in Pembrokeshire last night (Saturday, 12 August).
“At shortly after 10.30pm several calls were made to emergency services reporting the one-car collision at Newgale Campsite.
“The blue Ford Fiesta, which contained a number of occupants, is believed to have been travelling from the direction of Roch in the St Davids direction when it lost control and veered off the road.
“It crashed into the campsite, colliding with a number of people and a tent, injuring nine, including passengers in the car.
“The injuries sustained by two of them are described as serious. They remain in hospital at this time.
“The road was closed to allow investigations and reopened at around 7.45am today.
“Officers are appealing for any information regarding the vehicle, a blue Ford Fiesta, and its occupants.
“We are especially interested in any dash-cam footage or doorbell footage which may have captured the vehicle being driven from Roch to the scene of the collision at Newgale.”
Do you have information that could help the police with this investigation? Please, let them know:
| 
| 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk
| 101
Quote reference: DP-20230812-402
You can also get in touch anonymously with Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111, or visit https://orlo.uk/Ur9z9
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.
A PEMBROKE DOCK man is due to be sentenced on Monday (Mar 31) after admitting to assaulting three police officers and resisting arrest during incidents earlier this month.
Ashley Rickard, aged 27, of Elizabeth Court, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to four offences when he appeared at court on March 17. Magistrates adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
The court heard that on March 15, Rickard assaulted PC Morse in Pembroke Dock while the officer was carrying out his duties as an emergency worker. He also assaulted PC Walker and resisted two other officers, PC Cranmer and PC Kendall, during the same incident in Milford Haven.
All of the offences are understood to have taken place on the same day and involved Rickard obstructing and assaulting officers during the course of their work.
Rickard is due to appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court at 10:00am on Monday for sentencing. The offences carry a maximum penalty of up to 12 months in prison or an unlimited fine.
The Herald will report the outcome of the case following the hearing.
A MILFORD HAVEN man is due to appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Mar 31) facing multiple charges, including the assault of three emergency workers and possession of an offensive weapon.
Adam Williams, 37, of Richard John Road, is facing charges relating to an incident on March 16 in which he is accused of possessing a craft knife in a public place without lawful authority, contrary to the Prevention of Crime Act 1953.
Williams is also charged with three counts of assaulting emergency workers—Police Sergeant 408 Benbow, PC 944 Lee, and PC 764 Mycroft—who were reportedly acting in the course of their duties at the time of the incident.
In addition, Williams is facing a charge of using a motor vehicle without third-party insurance, said to have occurred on Richard John Road on the same date.
The case was adjourned earlier this month for a reports to be prepared.
Williams is expected to return to court at 10:00am on Monday.
OVER 24,000 trees have been planted along the banks of four south Wales rivers to help reduce nutrient pollution, improve water quality and help protect nature.
The Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Four Rivers for LIFE project has been busy this tree planting season on the Teifi, Tywi, Cleddau and Usk Rivers.
In partnership with organisations like the National Trust, West Wales Rivers Trust, County Councils and contractors a total of 24,160 native trees have been planted with the aim of reducing nutrient pollution, improving water quality and helping to protect nature.
The trees will soak up excess nutrients from agricultural land run off, improve downstream water quality and provide habitat for wildlife.
The corridors of trees, averaging 10metres in width, act as buffer strips between farmland and the river and have been planted on land that has been fenced to create riparian strips.
Robert Thomas, Four Rivers for LIFE Land Management Officer said: “As the trees mature they will act as an important filter, reducing the amount of excess nutrients reaching the rivers, helping to improve the overall condition of these special rivers.”
As well as providing benefits to the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) river, in time as the trees mature and grow, they will stabilise riverbanks, reduce erosion and soil loss to the river, provide shelter for livestock and shade the river, keeping the water cool for fish.
Simon Rose, Woodland Project Ranger at National Trust Brecon Beacons said: “We have been delighted to work alongside NRW’s Four Rivers for LIFE team and the Woodland Trust at Ty Mawr Farm. This collaborative effort exemplifies the very objectives we seek to achieve through ongoing engagement with volunteer and corporate groups, students from Black Mountains College, and staff from similar organisations on team-building days.”
“Together, we are planting trees and hedgerows that will provide essential food sources and create connected woodlands, fostering the growth of wildlife and the flourishing of habitats.”
The Teifi, Tywi, Cleddau and Usk Rivers are classed as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), meaning they are of international importance for the wildlife and plants that make them home, such as salmon, lamprey, shad, otters and water crowfoot.
The Four Rivers for LIFE Project is funded by the EU LIFE Programme with support from Welsh Government and Welsh Water.
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