News

Young woman’s plea to public: Don’t film crash scenes – show compassion instead

Published

12 months ago

July 2, 2025

Trauma campaign launched following father’s near-fatal accident

A YOUNG woman whose father was left with life-changing injuries after a crash has joined a powerful new campaign urging people in Pembrokeshire and beyond to stop filming at the scene of serious incidents.

Eve Thomas, who was just 17 when her father Nigel was struck by a car while cycling home from work, said the trauma of the crash was made significantly worse by people filming the aftermath on their mobile phones and uploading the footage to social media.

The campaign – It’s not your story to tell – is being led by the South Wales Trauma Network and is supported by emergency services and hospitals across Wales, including Withybush General Hospital in Haverfordwest, which forms part of the network’s rural trauma response.

Speaking about the day of the incident, Eve said: “I was on my school bus when we were stopped due to a crash. I saw my dad’s bike – I recognised it immediately because I had put the stickers on it. Students started filming on their phones, and I knew deep down it was him.”

Nigel, then 65 and a delivery driver, was left in an induced coma and spent nine months in hospital. Eve said the family endured intense pain not only from his injuries but also from the circulation of speculation and graphic footage online.

“My godmother called us after seeing a post on social media – she thought Dad had died,” said Eve, who is now 25 and her father’s primary carer. “No family should have to go through that. The ways things were filmed and shared became a big part of what I had to work through in therapy.”

Pembrokeshire’s emergency responders are all too familiar with the dangers of mobile phone use at incident scenes – not only for the dignity of those involved, but because it often interferes with the work of ambulance crews and firefighters.

Andrea Bradley, a senior nurse and Operations Manager at the South Wales Trauma Network, co-produced the campaign alongside Eve. “We’re incredibly proud of Eve’s bravery,” she said. “Filming crash victims not only affects those individuals and their families – it can hinder our ability to save lives.”

The trauma network includes local response from Withybush General Hospital, as well as Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth, both of which serve rural communities like Pembrokeshire where long-distance travel times can already complicate emergency care.

Welsh Government Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Sarah Murphy MS, added: “What might feel like a moment of curiosity – a quick photo or video – can have devastating long-term effects on those involved. I commend Eve for speaking out.”

The Herald understands this is part of a wider push across Wales to challenge public attitudes towards crash scenes, with a focus on education, dignity and the importance of calling for help rather than capturing content.

Eve concluded: “That person in front of you is someone’s parent, child, or best friend. Would you want someone filming your loved one when they were at their most vulnerable?”

With Pembrokeshire’s roads often busy in the summer and a growing number of cycling and motorbike incidents reported annually, the campaign hopes to influence behaviour across the region and beyond.

Community

Pirates take over Pembroke Dock maritime museum

Published

27 minutes ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

VOLUNTEERS at West Wales Maritime Museum were praised after another successful Pirates Party brought crowds to Pembroke Dock.

The family event was held at Hancock’s Yard, Front Street, on Saturday (Jun 20), with visitors enjoying a day of maritime-themed entertainment, stalls, refreshments and fancy dress.

The museum, run by the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society, hosted the event with the help of volunteers, with activities including a tombola, raffle, barbecue, face painting, children’s games and a prize for the best-dressed pirate.

There was also live entertainment from the Cantabile Singers and the Barti Waves.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was a musket firing display by the H.M.S Wales Re-enactment Group, which drew strong interest from those attending.

County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, was among those who visited the event.

He said it had been “a fantastic afternoon” and praised the volunteers who had worked hard to put on “another brilliant event”.

Cllr Grimes said: “There was plenty to see and enjoy, but my personal highlight had to be the musket firing display from the H.M.S Wales Re-enactment Group — a real crowd-pleaser with live firing.

“It was wonderful to see so many people coming along and supporting yet another successful event at the museum.”

He also thanked Peter Kraus and everyone involved for their dedication in bringing the event to life.

The West Wales Maritime Museum is based at the historic Hancock’s Yard and is run by volunteers who work to preserve Pembroke Dock’s maritime heritage.

The society restores and maintains classic boats, operates a museum of maritime artefacts and offers visitors a chance to learn more about the town’s long connection with the sea.

The museum has become an increasingly popular community venue, with events such as the Pirates Party helping to bring families into the town while celebrating Pembroke Dock’s seafaring past.

News

Father and son lifeboat volunteers answer emergency call off Broadhaven South

Published

1 hour ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FATHER’S DAY celebrations were interrupted for several Tenby RNLI crew members on Sunday afternoon (Jun 21) after a five-metre RIB suffered engine failure off Broadhaven South and began drifting dangerously towards rocks.

The casualty vessel issued a Pan Pan call, prompting a Coastguard tasking to Tenby Lifeboats.

Among those responding were Coxswain Gary and his son Eddie, who still managed to spend part of Father’s Day together — although not quite in the way they may have planned.

The lifeboat was quickly launched and made best speed to the reported position, around nine miles west of Tenby Lifeboat Station.

When the crew arrived on scene, the engine of the casualty vessel had been restarted. However, with those on board concerned it could fail again, the Coxswain decided to escort the RIB back towards the entrance of the Milford Haven Waterway.

Once at the mouth of the waterway, the occupants were confident they could safely continue to their mooring without further assistance.

The lifeboat was then stood down and returned to station, arriving back at 5:50pm.

Health

Welsh Government refuses to halt Withybush and Bronglais service review

Published

2 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Health Minister tells Paul Davies MS that decisions remain a matter for Hywel Dda University Health Board

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has declined to intervene in controversial plans affecting services at Withybush and Bronglais hospitals, prompting fresh criticism from local Senedd Member Paul Davies.

In a letter dated June 19, Health and Care Cabinet Secretary Mabon ap Gwynfor said responsibility for planning and delivering NHS services rests with local health boards and confirmed that Hywel Dda University Health Board should continue its consultation process on proposed service changes.

The response follows concerns raised by Mr Davies on behalf of constituents in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion over the future configuration of clinical services, including stroke care.

While acknowledging strong public concern about access to healthcare in rural communities, the Minister stopped short of offering any commitment to block or reverse the Health Board’s proposals.

Instead, he stressed that any changes must be supported by robust evidence, maintain patient safety and demonstrate improved outcomes.

The Minister wrote: “Responsibility for planning and delivering health services rests with local health boards, including decisions about how services are organised.”

He added that proposals must improve outcomes for patients, maintain safe and equitable access to care and be supported by thorough impact assessments.

Paul Davies MS described the response as disappointing.

Posting the letter on social media, he said: “This letter tells me that the Welsh Government is not going to stand in the way of the Health Board’s plans.”

He added that he would raise the issue in the Senedd chamber next week and continue pressing ministers to intervene.

The exchange comes as Hywel Dda University Health Board continues a public consultation on proposed changes to stroke services across west Wales.

The consultation, which opened on May 28, is due to run until July 26.

In his response, the Minister stated that anyone suffering a stroke should receive treatment “as quickly as possible in the most appropriate setting” and said the current model of stroke care in Wales must evolve if national standards are to be achieved.

The comments are likely to fuel concern among campaigners opposed to the proposed changes, who fear services could become increasingly centralised and further away from rural communities in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.