A 21-YEAR-OLD woman from Llanybri in Carmarthenshire has died after a car she was driving collided with a tree on Saturday, May 23. 

Annie Evans-Lewis was living in East Pingelly, Perth, with her boyfriend Cai James, 22, before the incident. 

She suffered critical injuries after the vehicle she was driving reportedly left the road and struck a tree on Saturday afternoon around 15:30 local time. 

Annie was airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital after the crash where she unfortunately passed away while holding Cai’s hand. 

The police said they are investigating the crash and have asked for witnesses to come forward.

Annie, who loved animals and spending time outdoors, met Cai four years ago while out driving a tractor with a friend.

At 18, Cai travelled to New Zealand for seasonal farm work but cut the trip short because he missed Annie too much.

After later securing a three-year farming sponsorship in Australia, Annie joined him there in September 2025.

“She was excited to start this next chapter with me,” Cai said.

He explained that Annie enjoyed working for grain company CBH and also spent time helping on a local farm during quieter periods, assisting with cooking, cleaning and caring for others.

The couple had been making plans for a long-term future in Australia, which Cai described as a major opportunity for them both.

Following six demanding weeks of farm seeding work, the pair finally had a day off together on Saturday and spent it shopping and having lunch.

On the journey home, Cai dropped Annie off to collect her own car from a nearby farm before briefly stopping to pick up petrol for his chainsaw.

While driving again shortly afterwards, he noticed a vehicle at the roadside and quickly realised what had happened. 

Cai said: “I wanted us both to be old and watching our grandchildren running around.

“She was everything and with her gone, I don’t know what to do with myself.”

Paying tribute to her daughter, Angharad Evans described her daughter as her “whole life” and said she fell deeply in love with Annie from the moment she first held her.

She also reflected on Annie’s childhood battle with leukemia, describing her as “strong” and “brave”.

“The fun and laughter we shared will stay with me forever,” she said.

“We were more like best friends, always laughing and getting up to silly things together.

“I will never be the same without you, my Annie, my angel.”

A fundraising campaign, organised by Annie’s cousin Emily Davies on behalf of the family, has raised more than £32,000 to help cover the costs of bringing Annie home to Wales and paying for funeral expenses.

Welsh Government says translation support is needed so patients can communicate safely with NHS staff

ANDREW RT DAVIES has called for taxpayer-funded foreign language interpreters in the Welsh NHS to be scrapped, claiming the service encourages “health tourism”.

The Conservative Senedd member made the comments after receiving a written answer from Health Minister Mabon ap Gwynfor, who confirmed the Welsh Government supports providing translation services for patients who need to communicate with NHS staff in foreign languages.

Mr ap Gwynfor said the policy was intended to ensure the communication and information needs of patients and service users are met consistently, including for those whose preferred language is not English or Welsh.

But Mr Davies said the position showed “where Plaid Cymru separatists’ priorities lie”.

He said: “Plaid Cymru separatists should not be funding foreign translation services in our NHS.

“To stamp out health tourism, these interpreters must be scrapped.

“Any other legislation that prevents them from being scrapped has to go too.”

The Welsh Government’s answer referred to the All Wales Communication and Information Standards for Healthcare, which are designed to ensure patients can understand and be understood when accessing care.

The issue is likely to provoke debate, with supporters of translation services arguing they are essential for patient safety, consent, diagnosis and treatment, while critics say public funds should not be used for non-English or non-Welsh language support in the NHS.

The written question was tabled for answer on Thursday (May 28).

Temporary facility set to offer face-to-face banking support as permanent home is sought

A NEW temporary banking hub is expected to open in Pembroke Dock within the next week, offering residents and businesses access to everyday banking services following the closure of traditional high street branches.

The facility, which is being established inside Pembroke Dock Library, was visited this week by county councillor Jonathan Grimes and Preseli Pembrokeshire MS Paul Davies, who received an update on progress from Debbie of Cash Access UK.

According to Cllr Grimes, the temporary hub is now nearing completion and will provide a valuable service to the local community, particularly for residents who still rely on face-to-face banking and cash services.

At present, it is understood that NatWest, Lloyds and Barclays will each have a dedicated day at the hub during the working week, with staff available to offer advice, support and assistance with account-related queries. Other banks are expected to be confirmed in due course.

Importantly, customers will not be restricted to using services only from their own bank. The hub will allow people from any banking provider to carry out routine transactions such as cash withdrawals, deposits and other day-to-day banking needs.

The temporary facility will operate Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm and will be based inside the library while plans continue for a permanent banking hub in the town.

Jonathan Grimes, county councillor for Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said he was pleased with the progress being made.

He said the temporary hub “already looks fantastic” and would be a “really valuable addition for the community.”

The long-term location for the permanent Pembroke Dock Banking Hub is still being finalised by Cash Access UK, with the permanent site expected to open within the next 12 months.

The move comes amid growing concern over the loss of high street bank branches across Pembrokeshire and the impact this has had on elderly residents, cash-reliant businesses and people without easy access to online banking.

Banking hubs have been rolled out across the UK to plug the gap left by branch closures, offering shared facilities where customers from different banks can access essential services under one roof.

Photo caption: New banking hub: Jonathan Grimes and Paul Davies receive an update on the temporary Pembroke Dock Banking Hub at Pembroke Dock Library (Pic: Supplied).