UK’s worst paddleboarding tragedy

A company owner has been jailed for the gross negligence manslaughter of four paddleboarders who died during an organised tour in Pembrokeshire.

Nerys Lloyd, 39, who was the owner and sole director of Salty Dog Co Ltd, was jailed for a total of 10-and-a-half years for the gross negligence manslaughter of Paul O’Dwyer, 42, Andrea Powell, 41, Morgan Rogers, 24, and Nicola Wheatley, 40, following their deaths in Haverfordwest Town Weir on 30 October 2021.

The incident marked the UK’s worst ever paddleboarding tragedy.

The four victims were part of a Stand Up Paddle (SUP) paddleboarding tour – organised by Salty Dog Co Ltd – and Lloyd was present as an instructor on the day of the tragedy alongside fellow instructor Mr O’Dwyer, who was killed.

On 30 October 2021, there had been heavy flooding and severe weather warnings were in place. The river was running fast, and the weir was in an extremely hazardous condition.

The flood conditions meant that the water approaching the weir was high but the tidal conditions after the weir were lower. At times of high flow in the non-tidal river, the water will accelerate dramatically over the weir, creating a recirculation of water (tow back) at its base which can prevent people from escaping.

As the group approached the weir, the three participants were pulled over the top into its base and became trapped.

Co-instructor Mr O’Dwyer, who initially exited the river safely, re-entered the water in an attempt to rescue the others but was immediately dragged over the top. The four victims died as a result of drowning/immersion.

An expert concluded that the tour should not have taken place while encompassing the weir and that Lloyd did not have a suitable qualification, and her planning and supervision was inadequate.

Source: Crown Prosecution Service’s digital News Centre.

What's been learnt?

The British Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) published a report on the tragedy aimed at preventing future incidents. It found:

• The tour leaders were qualified to teach stand-up paddleboarding to beginners and novices in benign conditions but not lead tours on fast-flowing rivers
• The paddleboarders lost their lives because the leaders were unaware of the treacherous conditions at the weir. They had not visited the weir before setting off so were unaware of the high river level and tidal conditions
• They did not heed a flood alert which was in force at the time of the incident
• The participants were not briefed on the presence of the weir or how to descend it
• The group did not heed a sign close to their launch point which warned users the weir was dangerous and advised them to exit the river and carry their craft around it
• The use of personal protective equipment such as clothing, buoyancy aids and leashes was inconsistent across the group
• The group did not follow recognised advice that stand-up paddleboarders on fast-flowing water should wear a quick release waist leash and a personal flotation device. At Lloyd’s sentencing Mrs Justice Stacey said: “The ankle leashes attached to the boards of those stuck in the hydraulic spin, which are totally unsuitable for fast-flowing water, made it even harder for them to get free.”
• Lloyd had not produced a written risk assessment for the trip
• The competency of tour members who had not been previous customers of the Salty Dog Co Ltd were not assessed
• Participants were not required to complete a legal disclaimer, medical declarations, or provide emergency contact details before starting the tour which delayed the police contacting the families of those who had died
• It also said there was inconsistent governance of paddleboarding across the UK and no recognised national standards for training

Source: Yahoo