Woman appears in court charged over deaths of four people in paddleboarding incident
3 December 2024, 09:34 | Updated: 3 December 2024, 12:03
A paddleboard tour company owner has appeared in court charged over the deaths of four people following an incident in the River Cleddau in 2021.
Nerys Bethan Lloyd, 39, who owns Salty Dog Co Ltd, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates' Court for a short hearing on Tuesday morning.
She is charged with four counts of gross negligence manslaughter over the deaths of Paul O'Dwyer, 42, Andrea Powell, 41, Morgan Rogers, 24, and Nicola Wheatley, 40, and one offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Lloyd spoke only to confirm her name and personal details.
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District Judge Mark Layton said the case cannot be dealt with by magistrates - and referred it for a plea and trial preparation hearing at Swansea Crown Court on 3 January.
He said family members of those who died were present in the gallery and virtually, online.
"I take this opportunity to offer my condolences to you for your very sad loss," he said.
Police were called to the River Cleddau at the weir in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, on the morning of 30 October 2021 following reports of paddleboarders in distress.
Emergency services attended and declared Mr O'Dwyer, from Port Talbot, Ms Rogers, from Merthyr Tydfil, and Ms Wheatley, from Swansea, dead at the scene.
Ms Powell, from Bridgend, was taken to hospital but died six days later.
Lloyd, of Aberavon, South Wales, was charged with the five offences on 4 October this year.
Speaking at the time, Rosemary Ainslie, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "The charges relate to a commercial paddleboarding river tour on 30 October 2021, where four of the group became trapped in Haverfordwest town weir and tragically lost their lives.
"The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that she has the right to a fair trial.
"It is extremely important there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."
Lloyd was released on unconditional bail.
(c) Sky News 2024: Woman appears in court charged over deaths of four people in paddleboarding incident
