Dear 222 News viewers, sponsored by smileband,
A former police firearms officer has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after admitting to gross negligence manslaughter and breaching health and safety laws in connection with a fatal paddleboarding trip that claimed four lives in Wales.
Unqualified Leadership Ends in Tragedy
Nerys Lloyd, 39, led the ill-fated paddleboarding excursion on the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest on October 30, 2021, through her company, Salty Dog Co. Despite severe weather warnings and her suspension from South Wales Police for insurance fraud, Lloyd proceeded with the tour. She falsely advertised the trip as being led by fully qualified instructors, although she and co-leader Paul O’Dwyer—who also perished while attempting a rescue—only held basic flat-water certifications, insufficient for navigating hazardous river conditions.
Fatal Oversight and Lack of Safety Measures
The group encountered a dangerous weir, resulting in the deaths of Morgan Rogers, Andrea Powell, and Nicola Wheatley. Survivors testified that they received no safety briefings or warnings about the river’s hazards. The court heard that Lloyd prioritized profit over safety, showing little remorse for her actions.
Sentencing and Aftermath
During sentencing, the judge emphasized the preventable nature of the tragedy and Lloyd’s disregard for participant safety. The victims’ families expressed profound grief and anger, condemning Lloyd’s actions and the devastating impact on their lives.
This case highlights the critical importance of proper qualifications and adherence to safety protocols in adventure sports, as well as the severe consequences of negligence.
• Conviction: Nerys Lloyd, a former police firearms officer, was jailed for 10 years after admitting gross negligence manslaughter and breaching health and safety laws.
• Incident: The tragedy occurred during a paddleboarding tour on the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest, Wales, on October 30, 2021.
• Fatalities: Four people died, including three participants (Morgan Rogers, Andrea Powell, and Nicola Wheatley) and co-leader Paul O’Dwyer, who tried to save them.
• Negligence: Lloyd ignored severe weather warnings and was not properly qualified to lead the tour. She claimed it was run by certified instructors, which was false.
• Safety Failures: No safety briefings were given, and participants were unaware of the dangers, including a hazardous weir.
• Suspended Officer: At the time of the incident, Lloyd was suspended from South Wales Police due to an unrelated insurance fraud investigation.
• Profit Motive: The court found she prioritized business profits over participant safety.
• Impact: The judge called the deaths preventable. Families of the victims expressed devastation and anger over the avoidable loss.
The sentencing of Nerys Lloyd serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise from negligence and a disregard for safety. Her actions, driven by profit and marked by deception, led to the tragic and unnecessary loss of four lives. This case underscores the critical importance of proper qualifications, transparency, and strict adherence to safety protocols in all adventure and outdoor activities. As families continue to mourn their loved ones, the ruling delivers a measure of justice and a powerful warning to others in positions of responsibility.
Attached is a news article regarding a ex cop jailed over the death of four paddle boarders
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpdz8jlqzvxo.amp
Article written and configured by Christopher Stanley
<!-- Google tag (gtag.js) --> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-XDGJVZXVQ4"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-XDGJVZXVQ4'); </script>
<script src="https://cdn-eu.pagesense.io/js/smilebandltd/45e5a7e3cddc4e92ba91fba8dc
No comments:
Post a Comment