Swansea Court Hears Details of Fatal Paddleboard Tour: Owner Admits Manslaughter Following Four Deaths

Reporting from Swansea Crown Court, Maria Cassidy for BBC News – Lucy Vladev continues to cover this tragic case. The sentencing hearing for Nerys Bethan Lloyd, former owner of Salty Dog paddleboard tour company, took place today as the court heard harrowing details surrounding the deaths of four individuals in October 2021 on the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. Paul O’Dwyer, Andrea Powell, Morgan Rogers, and Nicola Wheatley perished while participating in a guided paddleboard tour. The prosecution, led by Mark Watson KC, emphasized that the incident was ‘obviously a potential for real danger,’ citing several participants’ limited experience with paddleboarding. Notably, both Lloyd and her business partner, Paul O’Dwyer, lacked the necessary qualifications to safely lead such tours; they only possessed a basic entry-level qualification deemed insufficient for the demanding conditions.

The court was presented with evidence detailing the hazardous environment on the day of the tragedy. Heavy rainfall in the days prior had caused significant flooding, elevating the River Cleddau to dangerously high levels and creating a strong current. Specifically, the river’s weir – a submerged obstruction – posed a significant threat. Witnesses reported seeing Lloyd briefly inspect the river in the town centre but failed to adequately assess the risk presented by the weir itself, having previously paddleboarded on that stretch of water in August without recognizing its potential danger. The intensity of the water flowing over the 1-meter crest of the weir was described as equivalent to two tons of water passing per second – a force capable of sweeping individuals off their boards with considerable speed and power.

The court heard testimonies from the victims’ families, each profoundly impacted by the loss. Mark Powell, Andrea’s husband, recounted the couple’s decision to move to Wales seeking a better life for their son, Finn. He described his last interaction with Andrea as happy and content before her fatal trip, vividly recalling seeing her in Withybush hospital in a coma, marked by cuts and bruises. He spoke of the devastating impact on Finn, who repeatedly expressed a desire to die so he could join his mother, highlighting the emotional turmoil within the family. Theresa Hall, Morgan’s mother, described her daughter’s loss as an “ever-present shadow,” emphasizing the profound grief and difficulty in moving forward. Darren Wheatley, Nicola’s husband, delivered a scathing indictment of Lloyd, calling her a ‘coward’ and accusing her of shifting blame onto Paul O’Dwyer. He recounted seeing his wife battered and bruised after the incident, describing her as “stone cold” and expressed deep frustration that Lloyd had continued with her life as if nothing had occurred.

Paul O’ Dwyer’s father, John O’ Dwyer, stated how relentless grief was on their family and shared memories of Paul being a true friend who gave everything without expecting anything in return. Kerry O’Dwyer, Paul’s wife, testified that Lloyd’s actions caused immense distress, describing her as fraudulent and alleging she continued with her life while the victims’ families mourned. She stated that Lloyd had shifted blame onto Paul and failed to show remorse for three years. The case underscores a critical failure in safety protocols and highlights the devastating consequences of inadequate training and oversight in adventure tourism. Lloyd has admitted manslaughter, facing a significant prison sentence.