Former Paddleboard Company Owner Faces Court Over Four Deaths

An individual who previously served as a police officer and owned a paddleboard tour company has faced court proceedings, accused of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the fatalities of four individuals that occurred three years prior. Nerys Bethan Lloyd, aged 39, residing at Jersey Quay, Port Talbot, received unconditional bail and is scheduled to appear before Swansea Crown Court on January 3. The deaths of Paul O’Dwyer, Andrea Powell, Morgan Rogers, and Nicola Wheatley resulted from an event on the River Cleddau, located in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, during 2021. District Judge Mark Layton stated that “Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court could not deal with the case, as the charges were too serious.” Ms. Lloyd, who previously owned Salty Dog, the enterprise responsible for conducting the tour, also faces an additional charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Mr. O’Dwyer, 42, from Port Talbot; Ms. Rogers, 24, from Merthyr Tydfil; and Ms. Wheatley, 40, of Pontarddulais, all perished during the incident. The fourth individual on a paddleboard, Ms. Powell, 41, from Bridgend, succumbed to her injuries a week subsequent to the event while in hospital.