Former police officer, now owner of paddleboard company, confesses to causing the accidental deaths of four individuals who drowned during a trip in Wales.

A former police officer has confessed to the manslaughter of four paddle boarders who tragically drowned after encountering difficulties in a flooded weir under dangerous circumstances.

The individual responsible, Nerys Lloyd, aged 39, led the ill-fated excursion despite lacking the necessary qualifications, marking it as one of the most fatal paddle boarding incidents in British history.

The victims of the incident, which occurred in October 2021, were Morgan Rogers, 24, Nicola Wheatley, 40, Andrea Powell, 41, and the instructor Paul O’Dwyer, 42. They lost their lives due to the expedition proceeding without a safety briefing, disregarding the heavy flooding and severe weather alerts in place.

The four were trapped by ‘hydraulic towback with no means of escape’ at the dangerous weir in the town centre of Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, according to an official report.

Lloyd – who was also on the trip as an instructor – was the owner and sole director of outdoor activity company called Salty Dog Co, based in Port Talbot, South Wales, which has now been wound up.

She left her job with South Wales Police three months after the tragedy and went on to work for a community charity.

Today at Swansea Crown Court she pleaded guilty to the gross negligence manslaughter of the four victims.

Lloyd also admitted a Health and Safety at Work Act offence.

Afterwards Lisa Rose, Specialist Prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service Special Crime Division, said: ‘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.

‘The majority of participants had limited experience and Lloyd was not qualified to take paddleboarders out in such hazardous conditions.

‘There was no safety briefing or formal risk assessments, and the participants were not advised that they would be traversing a weir or instructed on options to get out of the water.

‘Final decisions to continue with the event were Lloyd’s decision, and as a result she held complete and entire responsibility.

‘I hope these convictions provide some sense of justice for those affected and our thoughts remain with the families and friends of the victims at this time.’

The expedition on October 30, 2021, came during heavy flooding and with severe weather warnings were in place.

The river was running fast and the weir was in an extremely hazardous condition, according to prosecutors.

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

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 or 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.

The prosecution followed a joint investigation by Dyfed-Powys Police and the Health and Safety Executive.

Mr O’Dwyer, Ms Rogers and Ms Wheatley all died at the scene.

Ms Powell died in hospital the following month.

Chief inspector of marine accidents Andrew Moll said: ‘Stand-up paddleboarding is probably the fastest-growing UK water sport with participation in recent years growing by nearly 300 per cent.

‘However, like all water sports, those that buy or rent a paddleboard need to understand the risks.’

Mr Moll said paddle boarders should always wear the right equipment and a quick-release leash to get away from their boards in dangerous situations.

Lloyd, of Aberavon, will be sentenced on April 15.