Haverfordwest: Tribute to paddleboarder after three die in river

Tributes have been paid to one of three paddleboarders who died after a group of nine got into difficulty in a river.

Paul O'Dwyer was described as "the life and soul of the party" who devoted much of his time to charities.

He and two women died, and another woman is critically ill, after the group got into difficulty on the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, on Saturday morning.

Police said the river was high and fast after heavy rain just beforehand.

The other five adults on the paddleboarding excursion were rescued uninjured. A member of the public who went into the water to help was also unhurt.

Dyfed-Powys Police are carrying out a "thorough investigation", and urged other paddleboarders to ensure they understand the weather and water conditions before going out.

None of those who died or were involved have been officially named yet.

But Neath Port Talbot councillor Matthew Crowley knew Mr O'Dwyer for most of his life, and said he had always been a sports lover, and was the "life and soul of the party, from a real young age".

"He immersed himself into surfing, paddleboarding, skiing, anything to do with water.

"He comes from a great family background. A real good moral compass."

Mr Crowley is also the president of Aberavon Green Stars rugby club, which Mr O'Dwyer, from Port Talbot, also joined.

"He became a formidable player. He played for eight or 10 seasons at a pretty good level. He was a great player and embraced the club."

He added: "Paul immersed so much of his time and energy into charities. Whenever there was a charity event Paul would be the first one in fancy dress, he'd be the first one with a ra-ra skirt on.

"He loved all that... helping people and raising a few pound for good, worthwhile causes in the community."

Those involved are said to have been a part of the South Wales Paddle Boarders and Salty Dog Co, an organisation based in Port Talbot, according to PA Media.

One woman told the news agency that she had pulled out of the paddle on the morning of the incident as she was concerned about the weather conditions.

Vickie Mckinven, from Milford Haven, said the incident was "absolutely heart-breaking" and she was "good friends" with the group, which "did so much to raise money for charities".

Town councillor Thomas Tudor said he had been told the incident followed an "out of the blue downpour".

"It would appear that, unfortunately, the paddleboarders were caught up in that downpour which led to this tragedy," he said.

The incident happened following a Met Office yellow warning for heavy rain that was in place until Saturday morning. But flood alerts remain in place on rivers in Pembrokeshire, including the eastern and western Cleddau catchment areas, following days of heavy rain.

Det Ch Insp Jonathan Rees said: "Recent weather conditions and weather warnings have meant that the river was flowing high and fast and the conditions of the river will form part of the investigation to understand the precise conditions that the paddleboarders found themselves in."

"Every aspect of the investigation will consider the flow rate of the river, the weather conditions … and the rainfall which was high immediately before the incident."

He added: "Paddleboarding is a growing leisure pursuit and we would encourage those engaged in the activity to ensure they understand the weather and water conditions".

More than 20 police officers, as well as 30 firefighters from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, including specialist water rescue technicians, were involved in the rescue.

Two fire service boats helped with bank and river searches, which also involved coastguard teams and helicopters.

The Welsh Ambulance Service also sent several ambulances to the scene and took the injured woman to nearby Withybush Hospital.

The coroner and the Health and Safety Executive have been informed and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has sent a team of inspectors to the area to undertake a preliminary assessment.

"The aim of the MAIB's preliminary assessment is to help with determining the way forward," said a spokesman.

Pembrokeshire council leader David Simpson said: "The outcome on Saturday was tragic and I'm sure like me our thoughts go out to all those involved and our deepest sympathy goes out to the families and friends of those who sadly have lost their lives."

First Minister Mark Drakeford tweeted to say he was "deeply saddened" and his thoughts were with those who had lost loved ones in this "heart-breaking tragedy".