Families' fury over 'brazen' appeal bid by paddleboard boss who caused four deaths
Summary
A paddleboard company owner was sentenced to over 10 years in prison for causing the deaths of four people during a dangerous paddleboarding trip in Wales in 2021. Her attempt to reduce the sentence was rejected by the Court of Appeal, causing additional distress to the victims’ families.Key Facts
- Four people died in October 2021 while paddleboarding on the Western Cleddau river in hazardous conditions.
- The victims were Paul O’Dwyer, Andrea Powell, Morgan Rogers, and Nicola Wheatley.
- Nerys Bethan Lloyd, owner of the paddleboard company Salty Dog Co Ltd, pleaded guilty to gross negligence manslaughter.
- Lloyd was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison in March 2025.
- The Court of Appeal rejected Lloyd’s appeal to reduce her sentence.
- Families expressed ongoing pain and anger over the deaths and the failed appeal.
- A Marine Accident Investigation Branch report called the deaths “tragic and avoidable,” citing many errors on the day.
- Lloyd was criticized for poor health and safety practices during the fatal trip.
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