Paddleboard guide who led 4 people to their deaths on Welsh river imprisoned for 10 years
A former Welsh police officer who who led four people to their deaths in the worst paddleboarding tragedy in the U.K. was sentenced Wednesday to 10.5 years in prison for manslaughter.
Nerys Bethan Lloyd, 39, had previously pleaded guilty in Swansea Crown Court to four counts of gross negligence manslaughter and failing to discharge her duty for the Oct. 30, 2021 incident.
The River Cleddau in Haverfordwest was raging after heavy rains when Lloyd, who operated a side business called the Salty Dog, made the ill-fated decision to lead a group of beginners toward a dangerous weir where the churning waters created a deadly undertow.
Lloyd had not warned the group about the obstacle nor instructed them how to get over it safely.
While Lloyd managed to navigate her way down a narrow fish ramp that bisected the low dam, several customers were swept over the top and sucked under the turbulent brown waters.
Paul O'Dwyer, who helped Lloyd lead the tour, managed to reach shore but returned to the river to help those in distress and was also killed.
Andrea Powell, 41, Morgan Rogers, 24, and Nicola Wheatley, 40, also drowned.
'I accept you are desperately sorry for what happened that day," Justice Mary Stacey said. "'Your life has also been massively impacted. But being sorry for what happened is different from remorse.'
Prosecutor Mark Watson said Lloyd and O'Dwyer were not remotely qualified to guide clients on the dangerous stretch of river.
Defense lawyer David Elias read a statement from Lloyd, saying she took full blame for the incident.
'The pain for me has been unbearable but the pain for the families unmeasurable," Lloyd wrote.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
4 hours ago
- Wales Online
Moment distracted Welsh lorry driver mounts pavement and hits pedestrian
Moment distracted Welsh lorry driver mounts pavement and hits pedestrian Glen Brady was distracted by his sat nav before he struck the 67-year-old pedestrian A Welsh lorry driver who was "distracted" by his sat nav drove onto a pavement and knocked a pedestrian over. The incident took place in Congleton near Cheshire before Christmas last year. Police said the incident could have resulted in the death of the 67-year-old victim. The driver, 47-year-old Glen Brady, of Tan Y Briach, North Wales, was handed a suspended prison sentence and banned from the road for 18 months. Police have now released footage of the collision, which happened on December 17 last year. It shows Brady driving onto the pavement and knocking over the pedestrian while he said he was "distracted by his sat nav". Despite being hit by the vehicle the pedestrian only suffered "minor injuries". For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here . Brady pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at a hearing at Crewe Magistrates' Court and received a 24-week jail term, which was suspended for 12 months. Article continues below The moment a pedestrian was sent flying after a distracted truck driver crashed into her PC James Shrimpton, from Cheshire Police's roads and crime team, said: "I hope this case makes other motorists think very carefully about their actions behind the wheel and that they should be aware that when they get in a vehicle, they have the potential to cause real damage and even take a life. "You have not only your life in your hands but other road users and this needs to be remembered every time you make that journey. "The pedestrian involved in this collision was discharged the same day and was very lucky to come away with only minor injuries. "Due to the nature of Glen Brady's driving and the sheer size of the vehicle itself, we could have quite easily been dealing with a much more serious, or even fatal, injuries. "We think of sat navs as devices designed to assist us with our driving and whist it is true that they are very helpful in getting us from A to B, they can be a source of distraction – especially if you are unfamiliar with the area you're driving in. Article continues below "If you find yourself lost or need to look over or reset your sat nav, it is always best to pull over in a safe location where you are not splitting your attention between the directions and the other road users and pedestrians around you." Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
Major emergency services response as cordon in place and person rushed to hospital
Major emergency services response as cordon in place and person rushed to hospital Ambulance staff delivered 'critical care support' before transferring the patient to hospital Crime scene investigators spent the rest of the day collecting evidence from inside the property (Image: Mark Lewis ) Emergency services rushed to a property in a Welsh city and delivered "critical care support" to a patient inside. Police and ambulance attended the scene of a medical emergency at an address in Lliswerry Road in Newport shortly before 7am. on Saturday, June 7 Experienced medical staff and a Cymru High Acuity Response Unit treated one person at the scene before transferring them to hospital for further treatment. A cordon was in place at the property (Image: Mark Lewis ) After the patient had been transferred to hospital Gwent Police officers put a cordon around the property as crime scene investigators worked inside. This cordon remains in place. Those living in neighbouring properties said from 10am their doors were knocked by police who were asking for doorbell camera footage. Police have yet to provide a statement on the incident (Image: Mark Lewis ) Article continues below A spokesman for the Welsh Ambulance Service said: "We were called on Saturday at approximately 6.58am to reports of a medical emergency on Lliswerry Road, Newport. "We sent one emergency ambulance, two operations managers, and one Cymru High Acuity Response Unit to the scene. "Advanced critical care support was delivered by the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service in a Wales Air Ambulance charity car. Article continues below "One patient was conveyed to hospital for further treatment." Gwent Police has not responded to repeated requests for comment. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Wales Online
Foreign Office warning after holidaymakers are detained
Foreign Office warning after holidaymakers are detained The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for more than 48 countries There is a growing concern about the number of tourists arrested (Image: Getty ) The Foreign Office has revised travel advice for 48 countries during the past few days. It follows growing concern about the number of British tourists being arrested for drug trafficking abroad. During the past few months, UK nationals have been detained in countries including Spain, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Germany, Indonesia, Chile, and the United States, often after being caught with narcotics in their luggage. One of the most high profile cases has been that of Bella Culley, who went missing Thailand. The 18-year-old from Teeside is currently held in a prison in Georgia on suspicion of drug offences. Prosecuters are investigating 12kg of marijuana and 2kg of hashish found in a travel bag at Tbilisi International Airport, the BBC reports. If found guilty, Miss Culley faces up to 20 years in jail or life imprisonment. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has revised its Safety and Security advice for 48 countries, highlighting the dangers of involvement with illegal substances. Article continues below In some countries, even traces of cannabis on clothing can lead to arrest, and blood and urine tests may also be conducted. The advice read: "There are severe penalties for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including cannabis. Airports have excellent technology to detect items, including in the baggage of transiting passengers." For those planning a trip abroad, it's essential to stay informed by checking the latest travel advice on the website, which provides detailed information for 226 countries. The updated guidance for most countries states: "Updated information on the risks of being involved with illegal drugs, including cannabis. This includes the risk of arrest if you are found carrying drugs when transiting through the airport." The advice underscores the harsh consequences of drug offences: "Illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties. "You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through airports." For those heading to Greece, the Foreign Office cautions: "Airports in Greece have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. Love dreamy Welsh homes? Sign up to our newsletter here "This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers. Possession of even small quantities of illegal drugs can lead to a long prison sentence. Nitrous oxide is illegal to buy or sell for recreational use. You could be arrested or fined." A similar alert is in place for the Netherlands, which reminds tourists: "Airports in the Netherlands have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers." Article continues below The message is equally as stern for those bound for Turkey. Here, being caught with, using, or smuggling banned substances - including cannabis - can come with extremely harsh penalties. Even those only passing through airports may find themselves facing prison terms of between four to 24 years, as well as hefty fines.
