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
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.
Entertainment
St Davids Cathedral Music Festival representatives attend Royal Garden Party
SIMON PEARCE, the esteemed Organist and Master of the Choristers at St Davids Cathedral, was honoured to attend a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The event, celebrating the UK’s Creative and Cultural Industries, featured an array of celebrities, stunning displays of spring gardens, and performances by the Band of The Marines.
Mr Pearce, who attended with his wife Katherine was appointed in 2022 as the Director of Music at the cathedral—a position he has held since 1998 in an assistant capacity—expressed his delight at the opportunity to represent the festival. “Every single moment was to be savoured,” he remarked, noting the “wonderful music, fantastic host of celebs, a sumptuous tea party, stunning gardens and Palace, and glorious British spring weather.”
The St Davids Cathedral Music Festival 2024 will open with a dazzling performance by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales on May 25. The orchestra will treat audiences to Mathias’s Festival Overture and Brahms’ Second Symphony.
Adding to the splendour, award-winning violinist Inmo Yang will grace the stage with his rendition of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto.
This year’s festival will also introduce several new performers. The Choir of Royal Holloway is set to debut on May 27, enchanting attendees with choral arrangements of orchestral classics. Local talent is also in the spotlight, with Pembrokeshire-born horn player Simon Lewis performing alongside Trio Preseli on May 26, showcasing works by Welsh composer Anthony Randall.
Adding a touch of environmental consciousness to the festival, clarinet virtuoso Emma Johnson returns on May 28 with her Orchestra for the Environment.
Their repertoire will include pieces by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and Johnson’s own composition, ‘The Tree of Life’.
The festival will kick off with the 150-strong Children’s Festival Chorus on May 24, captivating audiences with their youthful energy and a live band.
Throughout the week, the cathedral musicians will feature prominently in several concerts, with the highlight being the full Cathedral choir performing Choral Evensong live on BBC Radio 3.
This prestigious invitation to Buckingham Palace came just two years after Mr Pearce’s official appointment as the Master of Choristers, a role in which he has pledged to continue enhancing the cathedral’s distinguished musical tradition.
At the time of his appointment, the Very Revd Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, as Dean of St. Davids, praised Mr Pearce’s exceptional talents, saying, “It has been a pleasure to enjoy the excellence of Simon’s playing and conducting over the years.”
Under his leadership, the Cathedral Choir and Choral Foundation have been furthering their well-deserved reputation for excellence. “St Davids Cathedral is a spiritually inspiring and beautiful place in which to make music,” Mr Pearce said, acknowledging the special connections the cathedral maintains with the local community, school, and the wider Pembrokeshire area.
News
Council works to reduce empty properties in Carmarthenshire
CARMARTHENSHIRE County Council is reducing the number of empty properties within the county through the introduction of the Empty Properties Framework.
Combining enforcement, the implementation of council tax premiums on empty properties and providing support to help owners bring empty properties back into use, the Empty Properties Framework aims to:
• Reduce the number of long-term empty homes across the county
• Increase the supply of affordable housing to meet demand
• Tackle issues relating to property nuisance, blight and the impact on communities
The following case study is an example of how Carmarthenshire County Council is supporting communities and owners to bring empty properties back into use.
An empty property was reported to the Council with loose rendering falling onto a neighbouring driveway and refuse/waste material in the garden. Investigations revealed that the property had been recorded as empty for seven years and was privately owned by a limited company.
The property was visited by the Council’s Empty Homes Officers and scored as high risk (Category A), requiring enforcement. The owners responded positively to the notice served and assisted with the Council’s formal inspection of the property, during which various category 1 (the most serious) hazards were identified.
As a result, statutory notices were served on the property. These notices provided varying timeframes for work to be carried out. In the event of non-compliance, the Council may choose to undertake works, recovering all costs from the owner.
The owner complied with the work which posed an imminent risk and then sold the property at public auction. The Improvement Notices remained with the property when sold. Upon purchase, the new owners immediately began work to improve the property and this is progressing well.
Cllr Linda Evans, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes said: “The introduction of the Empty Homes Framework aims to be bold in bringing about the improvement and occupation of empty homes, increasing the supply and use of housing to all.
Carmarthenshire County Council is committed to reducing the number of empty properties in the county, with various methods of support in place to assist owners of these properties to bring them back into use including financial assistance, subject to eligibility.”
From 1st April 2024, council tax premiums were also introduced on properties empty for more than 12 months to encourage owners to reflect on whether they could make better use of their property.
For more information on the support available to owners of empty properties visit the Council’s website – Carmarthenshire.gov.wales/housing
News
Free disability sports event heads to Pembroke Leisure Centre
PEMBROKE Leisure Centre will play host to a free disability sports and physical event later this month with lots of sports and activities to try.
The insport series, in partnership with Disability Sport Wales, Sport Pembrokeshire and Pembrokeshire Leisure is an inclusive sport and physical activity event.
It offers opportunities for disabled young people (ages 5 years+) and adults across Pembrokeshire and friends and family are welcome.
On offer to try are: boxing, boccia, swimming (on a separate first come first serve booking basis), football, wheelchair rugby, target shooting, adaptive bikes, cricket, golf, multisport, and more.
The event takes place Pembroke Leisure Centre, on Wednesday May 29th between 10am-2pm.
Booking for the event and swim places is required.
For more information please contact: Jess West from Sport Pembrokeshire byemail [email protected] or by calling 07795305871.
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