Judge condemns ‘flagrant disregard’ for safety as four families left devastated by tour leader’s fatal failings

THE OWNER of a paddleboarding business has been jailed for ten years and six months after admitting causing the deaths of four people on a flooded river in Haverfordwest in what the judge called a “wholesale failure” to consider safety.

Nerys Bethan Lloyd, 39, from Aberavon, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Apr 22) after pleading guilty to four counts of gross negligence manslaughter and a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Morgan Rogers, 24, Nicola Wheatley, 40, Andrea Powell, 41, and co-instructor Paul O’Dwyer, 42—were swept over a weir in fast-flowing floodwater

The tragic incident occurred on 30 October 2021, when Lloyd, through her company Salty Dog Co Ltd, organised a paddleboarding trip on the swollen River Cleddau in Pembrokeshire. The river was in full flood, with severe weather warnings in place, and fast-moving water surging over the Haverfordwest Town Weir.

Nicola Wheatley, 40, Morgan Rogers, 24, Andrea Powell, 41, and co-instructor Paul O’Dwyer, 42, all drowned after being swept into the base of the weir. Despite visible dangers, Lloyd led the group into the water without providing a safety briefing or even informing participants that a weir lay ahead. Four of the group survived, while four did not.

No safety measures, no risk assessment

The court heard how Lloyd, who had only basic paddleboarding qualifications, ignored advice from her co-instructor Paul O’Dwyer, who had suggested alternative routes. Lloyd dismissed those routes as “too boring”, the judge said, and led the group straight down the river, aiming for the fish pass at the centre of the weir—either as a risky plan or with no clear plan at all.

None of the participants had the appropriate quick-release safety leashes for fast-flowing water, and several had no wetsuits. One person had opted not to wear a life jacket, and Lloyd had made no effort to check their experience levels or provide instruction. The judge said the group were “cheering and laughing” as they launched, completely unaware of the life-threatening danger ahead.

They were pulled into the hydraulic spin at the base of the weir—described in court as akin to a “washing machine”—and were unable to escape. Mr O’Dwyer, who had initially steered clear of the worst of the water, jumped back in to try and save others, but also lost his life.

Police: ‘Completely avoidable’

Dyfed-Powys Police, who led the joint investigation with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), said the deaths were “completely avoidable”.Detective Superintendent Cameron Ritchie, senior investigating officer, said: “Firstly, I would like to reiterate my heartfelt sympathies to the families of Paul, Andrea, Morgan and Nicola.

We have heard harrowing testimony from the victims and survivors during this hearing of the continuing impact this incident has had on them. I sincerely hope that the conclusion of these proceedings helps to clear the way for them to be able to start the healing process.

The incident that took place in Haverfordwest was an extremely tragic case resulting in the completely avoidable deaths of four people.

This has been a complex and extensive investigation and I’d like to thank my colleagues at Dyfed-Powys Police, the Health and Safety Executive and the Crown Prosecution Service for their professionalism and diligence in securing this outcome.”

HSE: ‘She robbed them of the chance to decide’

HSE Inspector Helen Turner also issued a damning statement: “Four lives were needlessly lost and survivors traumatised by their experience at Haverfordwest Weir.

Nerys Lloyd was solely responsible for the decision to enter the water while the river was in flood, and for the attempt to take even inexperienced paddlers over the weir. This was completely reckless and the risk of death was foreseeable.

The victims placed their trust in Lloyd to deliver a safe and enjoyable paddle, but through her incompetence, carelessness and complacency she failed to plan or assess the obvious risk at the weir or to take even basic safety measures.

By not discussing the hazards on the route Lloyd robbed the participants of the opportunity to make a reasoned decision on their own participation that day.”

‘You called the shots’ – judge

The decision to paddle down the fish ramp at in the River Cleddau was a flagrant breach of health and safety protocol, the court heard (Image: Herald)

Mrs Justice Mary Stacey said Lloyd had been in full control of the tour and bore sole responsibility for its planning and execution. She rejected the defence’s claims that Lloyd’s social media activity after the tragedy was innocent, describing it as “insensitive” in a community still grieving. She did, however, accept that Lloyd’s guilty plea, lack of previous convictions, and references from supporters provided some mitigation.

“You called the shots,” the judge said, noting that Paul O’Dwyer had made efforts to divert the group away from danger, but Lloyd had dismissed him. “The lives of four people were cut short in their prime because of your decisions.”

Families left devastated

Heartbreaking victim impact statements were read during the two-day hearing. Morgan Rogers’ parents described the pain of losing their daughter, who had just begun training for the fire service. Her father said, “My family will have a life sentence of grief for our remaining days.”

Nicola Wheatley’s husband Darren accused Lloyd of cowardice and deception, saying: “You are a vile person and you disgust me.” He recalled having to identify his wife’s body, a moment that still haunts him.

Andrea Powell’s husband described seeing his wife unconscious and bruised in hospital and hearing their son sob that he wanted to die to be with his mother. Paul O’Dwyer was remembered as a loving husband and father who had died trying to save others.

CPS: ‘The tragedy was completely avoidable’

Lisa Rose, Specialist Prosecutor with the CPS Special Crime Division, said: “Nerys Lloyd should not have taken participants on the water that day. The heavy flooding had left the river running very fast and it was beyond the remit of a beginner’s tour.

Lloyd was not qualified to take inexperienced paddleboarders out in such conditions. Her actions fell far below the standard expected of a paddleboard instructor and activity planner.

There are no words that can articulate the devastation this tragedy has caused, and I can only hope this sentence provides a sense of justice for those affected.”

Sentence and aftermath

Lloyd received ten years’ imprisonment for the four counts of gross negligence manslaughter, with a further six months for the health and safety offence. The judge acknowledged that Lloyd may never fully recover from what happened—but said the victims’ families will live with the consequences forever.

The case has triggered renewed calls for tighter regulation of commercial paddleboarding activities and clearer safety standards, particularly when rivers are in flood or feature hidden hazards like weirs.

As Lloyd begins her prison sentence, the families of the four victims continue to grieve their immense loss—and hope that others in the adventure activity industry will learn the lessons of that tragic October day.

A MILFORD HAVEN motorist who attempted to ease a painful toothache by drinking alcohol has been banned from driving for 17 months after he was caught almost twice over the legal limit.

Shane Barker, 36, was stopped by police at 8:15am on April 5 while driving a Ford C-Max along Freemans Way in Haverfordwest. A roadside breath test revealed he had 62 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Barker, of Turnberry Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

“He’d been suffering from severe toothache that had kept him awake during the night,” his solicitor, Fenn Richards, told the court. “He took painkillers, but they didn’t help, so he drank alcohol in an attempt to relieve the pain. That morning, a friend called asking for help with a job, and he drove, unaware he was still over the limit.”

As well as being disqualified from driving for 17 months, Barker was fined £350. He was also ordered to pay a £114 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.

A HEAVY drinking session has resulted in a three-year driving ban for skilled groundworker Darren Sullivan, after he was found behind the wheel with more than twice the legal limit of a cocaine breakdown product in his system.

Sullivan, aged 35, was stopped by officers on October 11 while driving on the A44 near Llandysul. A roadside drugs test returned a positive result, and subsequent blood analysis at the police custody suite revealed 172 micrograms of benzoylecgonine per litre of blood. The legal limit is 50.

This week, Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court that the incident marked Sullivan’s second drug-driving conviction in a decade, following a similar offence in 2017.

“He finished work on the Thursday, had food and drink, but doesn’t remember consuming the cocaine,” said his solicitor, Fenn Richards.

“He went to work early the following morning and was stopped on his way home. He’d consumed a large amount of alcohol but doesn’t recall taking the drug.”

Richards added that Sullivan, of Cilsaig Road, Dafen, Llanelli, is now at risk of losing his job as a skilled groundsman due to the conviction.

Magistrates disqualified Sullivan from driving for 36 months. He was also fined £600 and ordered to pay a £240 court surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.