Nerys Lloyd admits to gross negligence manslaughter following the deaths of four paddleboarders during a 2021 tour.

Nerys Lloyd, 39, the owner and instructor of Salty Dog Co Ltd, has pleaded guilty to the gross negligence manslaughter of four paddleboarders who tragically drowned during a flooded tour in Pembrokeshire in October 2021. The victims, Paul O’Dwyer, 42, Andrea Powell, 41, Morgan Rogers, 24, and Nicola Wheatley, 40, lost their lives after being caught in dangerous conditions at a weir in Haverfordwest.

On 30 October 2021, despite severe weather warnings and fast-flowing rivers, Lloyd took a group of paddleboarders out for a tour. As they approached the weir, the conditions became perilous, and three of the participants were pulled over the weir’s edge. Although O’Dwyer managed to initially exit the water, he re-entered in an attempt to rescue the others but was soon dragged under as well. All four victims drowned.

Lloyd admitted to her role in the deaths, acknowledging that she had failed to properly assess the risk of the conditions and lacked the necessary qualifications to supervise the tour in such hazardous circumstances. In addition to manslaughter charges, she also pleaded guilty to violating the Health and Safety at Work Act. A thorough investigation by Dyfed-Powys Police and the Health and Safety Executive revealed that the event should not have gone ahead, particularly with the lack of safety briefings and risk assessments.

The tragic incident highlights the importance of proper qualifications and thorough safety measures in outdoor activities. Lloyd will be sentenced on 15 April 2025, as the families of the victims continue to seek justice.