Nerys Bethan Lloyd, a 39-year-old former South Wales police firearms officer, has been sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison for the manslaughter of four individuals during a paddleboarding trip in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, in 2021.
The victims—Morgan Rogers, Nicola Wheatley, Paul O’Dwyer, and Andrea Powell—died after being swept over a dangerous weir on the River Cleddau.
Despite severe weather warnings and hazardous conditions, Lloyd, who had founded the Salty Dog Co paddleboarding business with her neighbour O’Dwyer, led the group without appropriate safety measures, training, or equipment.
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An expert concluded that the tour should not have taken place, and that Lloyd lacked suitable qualifications, with her planning and supervision deemed inadequate.
Participants were not informed about the weir or how to navigate it, and no safety briefing or formal risk assessments were conducted. ​
Court Finds Police Officer Negligent
On April 23, 2025, Swansea Crown Court sentenced Lloyd to 10 years and six months in prison after she pleaded guilty to four counts of gross negligence manslaughter and one offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Judge Mrs Justice Stacey criticised Lloyd for her “abysmal” approach to safety, noting the absence of safety briefings, appropriate equipment, and emergency contact information. The judge also highlighted that Lloyd ignored safer route suggestions and failed to warn participants about the weir. ​
Lisa Rose, a specialist prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service, stated: “This was an avoidable tragedy. Despite going to check the state of the river before departing on the tour, Nerys Lloyd failed to inspect the weir.
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The majority of participants had limited experience, and Lloyd was not qualified to take paddleboarders out in such hazardous conditions.” ​
Families Express Grief and Anger
During the sentencing, families of the victims expressed their sorrow and frustration. Darren Wheatley, husband of Nicola Wheatley, called Lloyd a “coward” and a “charlatan,” stating, “You have presented yourself as a stone-cold, heartless individual.” Theresa Hall, mother of Morgan Rogers, said her daughter’s life was taken for “nothing more than profit,” adding, “The manner in which Morgan died will haunt me for the rest of my life.”
The tragedy has led to calls for stricter safety regulations in paddleboarding, including better safety equipment and oversight by sports bodies.
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