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Ex-paddleboard firm owner in court after deaths

Family photo Family photos of Nicola Wheatley, Morgan Rogers, Paul O'Dwyer and Andrea Powell.Family photo
Nicola Wheatley, Morgan Rogers, Paul O'Dwyer and Andrea Powell died in the incident in 2021

A former police officer and ex-paddleboard tour company owner has appeared in court charged with gross negligence manslaughter after the deaths of four people three years ago.

Nerys Bethan Lloyd, 39, of Jersey Quay, Port Talbot, was released on unconditional bail to appear at Swansea Crown Court on 3 January.

Paul O’Dwyer, Andrea Powell, Morgan Rogers and Nicola Wheatley died following an incident in the River Cleddau, in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, in 2021.

District Judge Mark Layton said Haverfordwest Magistrates' Court could not deal with the case, as the charges were too serious.

Two women walking alongside eachother past a red brick building. One is wearing a camel coat, glasses and has dark brown hair. The other, Nerys Lloyd, is wearing a dark coat and a multicoloured scarf.
Nerys Lloyd, wearing a dark coat and on the right, outside Haverfordwest Magistrates' Court

Ms Lloyd, former owner of Salty Dog, the company operating the tour, has also been charged with one offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Mr O'Dwyer, 42, from Port Talbot, Ms Rogers, 24, from Merthyr Tydfil, Ms Wheatley, 40, of Pontarddulais, died in the incident.

The fourth paddleboarder, Ms Powell, 41, from Bridgend, died a week later in hospital.