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
Metro
3 hours ago
- Metro
Homes evacuated and man arrested after 'bomb found near Post Office'
Homes have been evacuated and roads closed in a Welsh town centre after reports of an 'active bomb' near a Post Office. A bomb squad was dispatched to a residential street New Dock Road in Llanelli, 11 miles north-west of Swansea. Officers have set up a cordon on five roads around the Post Office, which locals said was busy with police activity since this morning. Explosive ordnance disposal experts were called in and five roads have been cordoned off. Multiple locals told Metro they had heard reports of a 'bomb'. Officers arrived shortly after 6pm and set up a rest centre at Llanelli Leisure Centre for impacted residents. Dog groomer Georgia Fuller, who was evacuated from New Dock Road, claimed to Metro that police had said there was an 'active bomb' by the 'post office'. She added: 'It is not nice, they have cordoned all the roads off, it is a bit scary.' Another local told Metro that people are being evacuated after 'explosives' were found nearby. More Trending They added: 'It is really busy at the moment. They are evacuating the street. Everyone is saying different things at the moment.' A 57-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of offences under The Explosive Substances Act and is currently in police custody. Dyfed-Powys Police said on X: 'We are carrying out a warrant at New Dock Road, Llanelli. A 100m cordon is currently in place for public safety. EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) is on their way. 'Please follow the direction of officers at the scene for your safety. More info will be shared when it is available.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Woman arrested of 'murder' after boy, 4, found dead inside Maidenhead home MORE: British woman accused of smuggling drugs in Angel Delight sachets says she was 'framed' MORE: Mum of murdered footballer 'wishes she had a wand to get rid of knife crime'
Wales Online
4 hours ago
- Wales Online
Bomb squad descends on Llanelli street as homes evacuated and roads closed
Bomb squad descends on Llanelli street as homes evacuated and roads closed A 100m cordon has been set up in New Dock Road in Llanelli and residents have been asked to stay away from the area New Dock Road in Llanelli (Image: Google ) Roads have been closed and homes evacuated after explosive experts were called to residential street in a Welsh town centre. Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police carried out a raid on New Dock Road in Llanelli on Wednesday afternoon, before explosive ordnance disposal experts were called in. A cordon has been put into place, with surrounding roads now closed. A man has been arrested. Officers remain at the scene as of Wednesday evening and have put a widespread cordon measuring 100m in place in the area, which is largely residential. Police have asked people in the area to follow the direction of officers at the scene. Stay informed on Carms news by signing up to our newsletter here . A 57-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of offences under The Explosive Substances Act and is currently in police custody. Article continues below A spokeswoman for Dyfed-Powys Police said: "We are carrying out a warrant at New Dock Road, Llanelli. A 100m cordon is currently in place for public safety. EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) is on their way to the scene. Please follow the direction of officers at the scene for your safety." The cordon in place means sections of the following roads are closed: Trinity Terrace Trinity Road Copperworks Road New Dock Road Marged Street Article continues below Residents within the cordon will be contacted by officers directly, police have confirmed. A rest centre has been set up at Llanelli Leisure Centre for residents who have been impacted by the cordon. Police have not expanded further on the incident as of Wednesday evening. The Ministry of Defence - which responsible for the EOD unit - has been asked to comment. Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news.
Wales Online
4 hours ago
- Wales Online
Lifeguards 'could have deterred' boy from fatal jump at Welsh beach
Lifeguards 'could have deterred' boy from fatal jump at Welsh beach David Ejimofor, 15, died after getting into trouble in the water off Aberavon Beach in south Wales David Ejimofor (Image: St. Joseph's Catholic School & Sixth Form Centre ) A teenager who drowned at a South Wales beach in a post-exam 'coming of age ceremony' might not have died if a lifeguard had been present, a coroner has said. David Ejimofor, 15, died after getting into trouble in the water off Aberavon Beach, Port Talbot. His family said he jumped into the sea with friends at high tide in what was said to be a well-known local end-of-school-year tradition. 'Vibrant and promising' David was rushed to the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, but he could not be saved. In a prevention of future deaths report, the assistant coroner for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot said the teenager drowned in June 2023 after leaping from the breakwater. Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here . Edward Ramsay outlined how no lifeguard was stationed around the pier to stop the dangerous activity, as had been the case in the past. The coroner said he had received no explanation why the measure had been stopped before the tragic incident, and warned future deaths could occur unless safety measures are improved. 'The breakwater should not have been used for that purpose but was known to have been used for that purpose by local children and teenagers, especially in the spring and summer months when the weather was good and the tides were high,' Mr Ramsay said. Article continues below 'In the past, lifeguards had been stationed at or around the pier, at these times, to deter this activity. No lifeguard was present at the time that David jumped. 'Had there been one, it is possible that David would not have jumped and therefore would not have drowned. I was not given, in evidence, a satisfactory or cogent explanation as to why that measure had been removed prior to David's death, nor why that measure continues to be absent today,' the coroner continued. Why we cover inquests – and why it's so important that we do As painful as these proceedings are for those who have lost a loved one the lessons that can be learned from inquests can go a long way to saving others' lives. The press has a legal right to attend inquests and has a responsibility to report on them as part of their duty to uphold the principle of open justice. It's a journalist's duty to make sure the public understands the reasons why someone has died and to make sure their deaths are not kept secret. An inquest report can also clear up any rumours or suspicion surrounding a person's death. But, most importantly of all, an inquest report can draw attention to circumstances which may stop further deaths from happening. Should journalists shy away from attending inquests then an entire arm of the judicial system is not held to account. Inquests can often prompt a wider discussion on serious issues, the most recent of these being mental health and suicide. Editors actively ask and encourage reporters to speak to the family and friends of a person who is the subject of an inquest. Their contributions help us create a clearer picture of the person who died and also provides the opportunity to pay tribute to their loved one. Often families do not wish to speak to the press and of course that decision has to be respected. However, as has been seen by many powerful media campaigns, the input of a person's family and friends can make all the difference in helping to save others. Without the attendance of the press at inquests questions will remain unanswered and lives will be lost. After his death, the teenager's family set up a petition addressed to Neath Port Talbot Council demanding they improve the safeguarding at the beach. But the coroner said he had not been shown 'any evidence that other deterrence measures put in place since David's death (including clearer signage and a limited-height barrier) are otherwise working effectively to reduce the risk.' In a tribute, David's family said he was 'a vibrant and promising young boy' and a beloved 'son, brother, cousin, nephew and friend'. They also described him as 'well-behaved and God-fearing' with an 'unwavering passion for sports and health'. They said: 'He was always striving to be the best version of himself. He has an infectious smile, caring nature, and boundless enthusiasm. He touched the lives of many. 'David's dreams of a bright future were cut short, but his memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him." 'As described by locals, this is a 'yearly coming-of-age ceremony' practised after GCSEs and A-levels that the entire community is aware of,' his family wrote as part of the petition. 'If everyone, including schools, are aware of this practice, surely we would expect the council to have better safeguarding measures in place, especially at this time of year. 'David Ejimofor was not the first to suffer such a fate at the hands of this pier. We do not want David to be another statistic. Article continues below 'We want his name to serve as an end of this unfortunate trail. It is for this reason that we seek change and reform by improving safeguarding measures at Aberavon Beach.' The coroner's report has been sent to Neath Port Talbot Council, Associated British Ports and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, who have 56 days to respond.
