The owner of a paddleboarding company has admitted the manslaughter of four people who drowned in an “avoidable tragedy” on a river in south-west Wales in 2021.
Paul O’Dwyer, 42, Andrea Powell, 41, Morgan Rogers, 24, and Nicola Wheatley, 40, all died on the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, in October 2021 when their paddleboards went over a weir during “extremely hazardous conditions”.
The four victims had been part of a stand-up paddleboarding tour, organised by former police officer Nerys Bethan Lloyd.
Lloyd, 39, from Aberavon, south Wales, pleaded guilty to four counts of gross negligence manslaughter and one offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act, when she appeared before Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday.
She was the owner and sole director of Salty Dog Co Ltd, which organised the tour.
In a statement, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said an expert had concluded “the tour should not have taken place” and “Lloyd did not have a suitable qualification”, with her planning and supervision “inadequate”.
The CPS added there had been heavy flooding on the day, with the river running fast and severe weather warnings in place.
Lisa Rose, specialist prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service special crime division, said: “This was an avoidable tragedy.
“Despite going to check the state of the river before departing on the tour, Nerys Lloyd failed to inspect the weir.
“The majority of participants had limited experience, and Lloyd was not qualified to take paddleboarders out in such hazardous conditions.
“There was no safety briefing or formal risk assessments, and the participants were not advised that they would be traversing a weir or instructed on options to get out of the water.
“Final decisions to continue with the event were Lloyd’s decision, and as a result she held complete and entire responsibility.
“I hope these convictions provide some sense of justice for those affected and our thoughts remain with the families and friends of the victims at this time.”
Lloyd acted as the instructor alongside Mr O’Dwyer, who was killed in the incident.
As the group approached the weir, three participants were pulled over the top and became trapped.
Mr O’Dwyer, who initially got out of the river safely, re-entered in an attempt to rescue the others, but was immediately dragged over the weir.
All four victims died from drowning.
There were four survivors of the incident.
Mrs Justice Dame Mary Stacey set a sentencing date of April 15.
The judge said she “suspected it was in everyone’s interest for it to be dealt with without delay”, saying it had been some time since the incident occurred.
Lloyd, who appeared in the dock wearing a blue shirt and dark trousers and using crutches, was released on unconditional bail until the sentencing.
She left the court surrounded by friends, who attempted to shield her from view using coats as a barrier.
Speaking outside the court, Detective Superintendent Cameron Ritchie said: “On October 30 2021 Nerys Lloyd had led a paddleboarding tour on the river as the owner of Salty Dog Ltd.
“The catalogue of failures on her behalf led to these tragic and unnecessary deaths.”
He said the investigation had been “challenging and complex” and thanked the survivors and the families of the deceased for their support and patience.
He added: “It’s difficult to imagine what it’s like from their perspective.
“Their loved ones went out to do an enjoyable activity on the river, expecting them to come back home to them, and they should have, but unfortunately, due to these failures, they didn’t . They’ve been robbed of their family members.”
