A mum tragically died after falling into the cellar of a Carmarthenshire pub after going there to decorate a function room for her daughter's 50th birthday party. Olwen Collier went to the Stag and Pheasant in Llandeilo Road, Carmel, on Thursday, January 12, to carry out the preparations for her daughter, Allison Raymond's, milestone celebrations.
While there, Ms Collier was said by her family to have opened a door and stepped in, falling into the cellar and suffering severe head injuries. She was later airlifted to the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff where she sadly died on Monday, January 16. She was 69.
Police carried out initial inquiries into the incident which is now being investigated by Carmarthenshire Council health and safety officers. Get stories straight to your inbox with our newsletters.
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Ms Collier, who lived in Penygroes, Llanelli, was a well-known face in the Gorseinon area of Swansea, having run Bizzie Lizzies Cafe for three and a half decades. Her daughter explained her family's "disbelief" at what had taken place..
Mrs Raymond said: "My mum went to the pub looking to set it up for my 50th birthday surprise when an accident happened. She went into the bar and told the landlord she was there to decorate the room. Mammy was unfamiliar with the pub and pushed on an outer door which was open and fell down into the cellar, which had hard concrete at the bottom.
"I had a phone call from my son to say my mother had fallen. I thought she had just broken her leg or something like that, but when I arrived I could see the severity of it. The paramedics came and an air ambulance came and she was airlifted to hospital in Cardiff.
"She was put in an induced coma outside the pub. We were told that the next 72 hours would be critical but we knew by the Saturday that there was not much hope.
"I can't comprehend what's happened. I can't accept the fact she is not going to come home. Mammy was such an outgoing person. She was still running her own business, she ran Bizzie Lizzies Cafe in Gorseinon for 35 years with Sam Booth.
"She was fit and healthy and she would do lots of charity work. I just can't get my head around it. It's horrendous. We're still in disbelief. I feel quite sick that she died in that way."
Ms Collier had two children, Mrs Raymond and Helen Atherfold, five grandchildren, Sion, Tomos, Emyr, Ethan and Emily, and a great grand daughter Olivia-Grace.
Mrs Raymond said: "We are a close knit family and it's now like a huge piece is missing. A massive piece of the jigsaw is missing. She will always be remembered for her smile and laughter. She was my everything. I have lost my mum and my best friend. She was just someone you could always go to if you wanted help or to know anything."
A spokesman for Dyfed-Powys Police said: "We attended the Stag and Pheasant in Carmel shortly before 5.40pm on Thursday, January 12, after passing officers were flagged down by relatives of a woman who had fallen down the cellar of the pub. Sadly, the 69-year-old later died in hospital. Officers have carried out initial enquiries and have shared material with the local authority’s health and safety officers, who are investigating the matter.”
The owners of the Stag and Pheasant have said they do not wish to comment.
Carmarthenshire Council said it was unable to comment whilst investigations were ongoing. Ms Collier's funeral will take place at Penygroes Apostolic Church at The Temple, Bryncwar Road at 12.30pm. Donations can be made to Wales Air Ambulance.
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