Ex-cop appears in court charged over deaths of four people in paddleboarding tragedy
A FORMER cop has appeared in court charged over the deaths of four people in a paddleboarding tragedy.
Paul O’Dwyer, 42, Andrea Powell, 41, Morgan Rogers, 24, and Nicola Wheatley, 40, died after they got into difficulty on the River Cleddau, in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.
Nerys Lloyd, 39, who owns Salty Dog – the company operating the tour – appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court today.
The former police officer is charged with four counts of gross negligence manslaughter and one offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
She spoke only to name, date of birth and address during a short hearing.
District Judge Mark Layton offered his condolences to members of the victims’ families.
Nerys, who now works as an operations manager for a charity, was released on unconditional bail to next appear at Swansea Crown Court on January 3.
The horror unfolded when the group of nine set out on the paddleboarding tour on October 30, 2021.
They got caught in heavy downpours just after 9am as emergency crews were raced to the scene.
Former soldier Paul was killed as he jumped into the water in a bid to save the women.
Mum Andrea, who worked as a dental therapist, was rushed to hospital with critical injuries but tragically couldn’t be saved.
Four other people on the paddleboarding trip survived the horror.
Morgan’s family paid tribute following the tragedy, saying she was the “best that she could be” and would be “sadly missed”.
While Nicola’s loved ones said said her death had “left a void in [their] lives that will never be filled”.