Nerys Bethan Lloyd Jailed Over Tragic Paddleboarding Deaths in Wales

Nerys Bethan Lloyd, the former owner of a paddleboarding company, has been sentenced to 10 years and 6 months in prison for gross negligence manslaughter after a devastating tour led by her ended in the deaths of four people.

The tragedy unfolded on October 30, 2021, when Lloyd, 39, and fellow instructor Paul O’Dwyer took a group of seven paddleboarders onto the Western Cleddau River in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. Despite severe weather warnings, heavy rainfall, and flood conditions, the group attempted to navigate a treacherous weir with a powerful current.

Four people—Paul O’Dwyer, Andrea Powell, Morgan Rogers, and Nicola Wheatley—were pulled into the violent waters. Powell later died from her injuries in hospital, bringing the death toll to four.

During sentencing at Swansea Crown Court, it emerged that neither Lloyd nor O’Dwyer were qualified to lead such an excursion. Judge Mrs. Justice Stacey described Lloyd’s conduct as a “catalogue of failures” driven by a desire for adventure over safety.

Among the critical safety lapses:

• The use of ankle leashes, known to be dangerous in fast-moving water
• Ignoring safer routes that bypassed the weir
• Failing to assess the extreme turbulence of the river conditions

Emotional victim impact statements were delivered in court. Morgan Rogers’ mother accused Lloyd of “guiding Morgan to her death,” while Nicola Wheatley’s husband labeled her “a coward” for evading responsibility. Andrea Powell’s husband shared the agony of telling their child his mother had died. Paul O’Dwyer’s widow, while acknowledging his heroism in trying to save others, criticized Lloyd for deflecting blame.

While the court recognized that Lloyd had not intended harm, the judge said her recklessness created “a very high risk of death.” Mrs. Justice Stacey commended the victims’ families for showing strength and dignity amid profound loss.