23/04/2025
A paddleboard business owner has been jailed for 10 years and six months for gross negligence manslaughter following the deaths of four people in 2021.
Nerys Lloyd, 39, from Aberavon, had already pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Paul O’Dwyer, 42, Andrea Powell, 41, Morgan Rogers, 24, and Nicola Wheatley, 40.
A joint investigation by Dyfed-Powys Police and HSE found that Lloyd was not correctly qualified to lead a stand-up paddle board river tour.
She did not check the weir or provide a safety briefing to the participants or inform them of the presence of the weir.
HSE inspector Helen Turner said: “Four lives were needlessly lost and survivors traumatised by their experience at Haverfordwest weir.
“The victims placed their trust in Lloyd to deliver a safe and enjoyable paddle, but through her incompetence, carelessness and complacency she failed to plan or assess the obvious risk at the weir or to take even basic safety measures.
"By not discussing the hazards on the route Lloyd robbed the participants of the opportunity to make a reasoned decision on their own participation on the day.
“Health and safety law is not a barrier to adventurous activities, which are enjoyed by people every day in safety.
"Organisers must take proportionate action to recognise and manage real risks.”
You can read more about this case here: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2025/04/23/paddleboard-tour-leader-jailed-over-deaths-of-four-people/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=prosecution-push
