Former Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter of Four Paddleboarders in Wales Tragedy
Nerys Bethan Lloyd admits to charges related to a fatal paddleboarding accident on the River Cleddau in October 2021.
Nerys Bethan Lloyd, a former police officer and owner of the paddleboarding company Salty Dog Co, has pleaded guilty to four counts of gross negligence manslaughter and one violation of the Health and Safety at Work Act in connection with a tragic incident in which four paddleboarders drowned on the River Cleddau, Pembrokeshire, in October 2021. This incident is considered the most severe paddleboarding accident in the United Kingdom's history.
At a hearing in Swansea Crown Court, Lloyd, 39, admitted to her role in the tragic event that occurred during an organised paddleboarding tour.
The prosecution established that Lloyd lacked the necessary qualifications to lead the tour safely and that her planning and supervision were significantly lacking.
Expert assessments concluded that the paddleboarding tour should never have taken place due to the hazardous conditions present at the time.
Prosecutors highlighted that the day of the incident was marked by heavy flooding, with the river currents running fast and severe weather warnings issued.
Specialist prosecutor Lisa Rose stated that although Lloyd had checked the river's condition prior to the tour's commencement, she failed to inspect a crucial weir.
Most participants in the tour were inexperienced, and there were no safety briefings or formal risk assessments conducted.
Crucially, participants were not informed that they would encounter a weir or given instructions on how to exit the water safely.
The court heard how Lloyd faced the ultimate decision to proceed with the tour despite these risks, thereby bearing full responsibility for the outcomes.
The individuals who lost their lives were identified as fellow participants, while four others survived the incident.
In an attempt to save the group, one of the deceased, Mr. O'Dwyer, had exited the river but re-entered in a rescue attempt, only to be dragged over the weir.
During the court proceedings, Lloyd appeared on crutches and was released on unconditional bail while awaiting her sentencing, which has been scheduled for April 15. Justice Dame Mary Stacey noted the case's urgency given the time elapsed since the incident.
Following the hearing, Detective Superintendent Cameron Ritchie addressed the media, describing Lloyd's actions as a 'catalogue of failures' that led to the unnecessary deaths of the paddleboarders.
He expressed gratitude to the survivors and families involved for their ongoing support during a challenging investigation and highlighted the tragedy of the lost lives, emphasizing that the victims had participated in what was intended to be an enjoyable activity.
At a hearing in Swansea Crown Court, Lloyd, 39, admitted to her role in the tragic event that occurred during an organised paddleboarding tour.
The prosecution established that Lloyd lacked the necessary qualifications to lead the tour safely and that her planning and supervision were significantly lacking.
Expert assessments concluded that the paddleboarding tour should never have taken place due to the hazardous conditions present at the time.
Prosecutors highlighted that the day of the incident was marked by heavy flooding, with the river currents running fast and severe weather warnings issued.
Specialist prosecutor Lisa Rose stated that although Lloyd had checked the river's condition prior to the tour's commencement, she failed to inspect a crucial weir.
Most participants in the tour were inexperienced, and there were no safety briefings or formal risk assessments conducted.
Crucially, participants were not informed that they would encounter a weir or given instructions on how to exit the water safely.
The court heard how Lloyd faced the ultimate decision to proceed with the tour despite these risks, thereby bearing full responsibility for the outcomes.
The individuals who lost their lives were identified as fellow participants, while four others survived the incident.
In an attempt to save the group, one of the deceased, Mr. O'Dwyer, had exited the river but re-entered in a rescue attempt, only to be dragged over the weir.
During the court proceedings, Lloyd appeared on crutches and was released on unconditional bail while awaiting her sentencing, which has been scheduled for April 15. Justice Dame Mary Stacey noted the case's urgency given the time elapsed since the incident.
Following the hearing, Detective Superintendent Cameron Ritchie addressed the media, describing Lloyd's actions as a 'catalogue of failures' that led to the unnecessary deaths of the paddleboarders.
He expressed gratitude to the survivors and families involved for their ongoing support during a challenging investigation and highlighted the tragedy of the lost lives, emphasizing that the victims had participated in what was intended to be an enjoyable activity.
