News

Verdict of accidental death returned at inquest into death of Zac Thompson

Published

3 years ago

February 10, 2023

THE CORONER has returned a verdict of accidental dealth, following the inquest the tragic passing of an 11-year-old boy at West Angle Bay in July last year.

At County Hall, Haverfordwest, the Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire Coroner, Mark Layton, explained the circumstances of the tragedy.

Zac Thompson, who was a pupil at Pembroke Dock Community School, died in hospital on July 2.

The youngster had been playing with his elder brother and their 11-year-old cousin on Friday evening, July 1, but he tragically got into difficulties in the water.

Emergency responders were called to the beach and tried to resuscitate Zac. However Zac failed to regain consciousness.

The year six pupil was a “popular and much-loved character” with a “huge zest for life”, his school said.

In a statement released on their Facebook page on Saturday, they said: “It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of Zac Thompson, who was a popular and much-loved character in Year 6 at Pembroke Dock Community School.

He excelled academically, in particular in maths, who loved to solve complex mental maths challenges (keeping staff on their toes).

The statement continued: “He was also a talented sportsman. Zac recently played exceptionally well in cricket, helping the school get through to the area finals, which are due to be played this week. He had a cheeky smile, was funny and was looking forward to his final weeks in primary school, the summer holidays and all the opportunities that were open to him as he moved on to secondary school. Zac had a huge zest for life! One sweet memory of him was when he was in Year 3, and it was Superhero Day. Zac came to school dressed as his favourite superhero – his Mum. Zac said: ‘Not all superheroes wear capes’.

“This is a dreadfully sad time for his family, and our love, thoughts and prayers are with both his family and his wide circle of friends, who will miss his big character and mischievous nature. There will be many staff on hand to support the learners on Monday and beyond this week.

“We are heartbroken, Zac was a lovely young man, a valued pupil and will be greatly missed.”

Zac’s mum Carli Newell’s statement was read out to the Coroners’ court. It reads as follows: “Without a doubt zac was a complete one of a kind. He was one of those special people that if your truly lucky you will get to experience them in your life.

“Zac was funny, cheeky, kind, caring, courageous and a big ball of fun with mischief running through his bones.

“His sparkly bright blue eyes, his big cheeky smile and his infectious spirit made everyone instantly fall in love with him.

“He had a zest for life like ive never known before.

“He lit up every room, if he walked into a place with 100 strangers, he would come out with 100 new friends, people just gravitated to him.

“Some people go their whole lives without touching as many hearts as Zac did.

“He loved his sports, family, friends and his food. He was a very naturally talented athlete.

“He found great pleasure in the most simple of things, everyday was an adventure for him.

“He was a fierce protector, with the courage of a lion, he hated injustice, he would step in and stand up for anyone who needed it, family, friends or even strangers, even if it got him into trouble.

“To know I will never see his face, hear his voice, watch him laugh or tell him how much I love him again is a nightmare I will never be able to wake from.

“Zac will forever live on in our hearts and the hearts of the entire community who have offered us their unwavering support.

“Through the Forever 11 charity that has been set up his honor by his Rugby family, he has left a legacy that will last a lifetime and go some way towards safeguarding our coastal areas.

“But also through the greatest gift of all. his selfless gift of hope and life to the 3 week old baby girl who was luckily enough to receive a piece of his beautiful heart. There is no greater gift than the gift of life and for that he will always be a hero.

“It was a privilege to watch him grow into such an incredible little boy,

“A privilege to know him and share his whole life with him,

“And a privilege to love him and be loved by him.

“I am honoured that I was blessed worthy enough to be his mum.”

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

1 hour ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.

Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Crime

Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood

Published

1 hour ago

December 4, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.

SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST

Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.

The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.

COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION

Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.

Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.

She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.

The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.

Local Government

Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works

Published

3 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure

SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.

County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.

“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.

Urgent works underway

Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.

Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.

Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.

Further updates are expected later this week.