Woman charged with gross negligence manslaughter after deaths of four paddleboarders
A 39-year-old woman has been charged with four counts of gross negligence manslaughter
by Cathy Owen · Wales OnlineA woman is due to appear in court charged in connection with the death of four people following paddleboarding incident in Pembrokeshire nearly three years ago. The incident resulted in the deaths of Paul O’Dwyer, Andrea Powell, Morgan Rogers and Nicola Wheatley and there were 4 other survivors.
Dyfed Powys Police said on Friday that Nerys Bethan Lloyd, 39, from Aberavon, has been charged with four counts of gross negligence manslaughter and one offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act. It follows the incident on the River Cleddau in Pembrokeshire on Saturday, October 30, 2021. Lloyd will appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on 3rd December 2024.
Detective Superintendent Cameron Ritchie, senior investigating officer, said, “Following a lengthy and complex investigation, working closely with the Health and Safety Executive and the Crown Prosecution Service, Nerys Lloyd has today been charged with four counts of gross negligence manslaughter and 1 count under the Health and Safety At Work Act."
He added: "The families of those who died and those who survived the incident have all been informed. As criminal proceedings are now underway it is important that there is no reporting, commentary or online posting that could prejudice this case.”
Mr O'Dwyer, from Port Talbot, Ms Rogers, from Merthyr Tydfil, and Ms Wheatley, of Pontarddulais, all died at the scene in Pembrokeshire. Ms Powell, from Bridgend, died in hospital on 5 November 2021.