Perhaps the biggest SUP accident in the world unfolded in Wales on Oct. 30 when four standup paddleboarders died on the flooded Cleddau River in Haverfordwest. Heddlu Dyfed-Powys Police added: "Sadly we can also confirm that 41-year-old Andrea Powell from the Bridgend area, who was in hospital following the incident, has now died. Our thoughts are with them at this terrible time.'. 2. A man and two women died at the scene in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, on Saturday morning. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Morgan Rogers, 24, from Merthyr Tydfil, was part of a group of nine people on a weekend exploring the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest. Emergency services including 30 firefighters from Mid Wales fire and rescue were part of the operation, as well as the coastguard, RNLI and police helicopters. Our equipment maintained to the highest standards and sourced . I think if you want to participate in extreme sports you need to prepare yourself by education first then decide if you are willing to take the risk. No official updates or wide open discussions (besides comments in stories like this) heading into the 6th month since this horrendous SUP accident?!? A Welsh woman was arrested this afternoon on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter after a paddleboarding incident on a river in Wales in which four people died. Please, Andrea Powell died a week after the incident. We use some essential cookies to make this website work. Jump on our giant XXL inflatable SUP's, an 18ft long inflatable paddle board that's specifically designed for groups. Multiple helicopters from the National Police Air Service, Coastguard and Wales Air Ambulance also assisted in the search. There are some superb locations to stand up paddleboard for all ages and abilities, including a national park, rivers, canals, lakes and coastlines. ODwyers family also said: Paul was a water baby. The arrest comes as police confirm the fourth death, 41-year-old Andrea Powers, from Bridgend, who was taken to hospital after the incident. Paul O'Dwyer was pronounced dead on the banks of the Cleddau river in Haverfordwest on Saturday. Morgan Rogers, 24, from Cefn Coed, Merthyr Tydfil, Nicola Wheatley, 40, from Pontardulais, Swansea, and Paul O'Dwyer, 42, from Sandfields, Port Talbot also died. At the scene on Saturday, around 30 firefighters, including specialist wading crews and swift water rescue technicians, were among the large joint-search and rescue operation. 'The aim of the MAIB's preliminary assessment is to help with determining the way forward. The suspect, who police say comes from South Wales, has been released under investigation. At the Taffs Mead Embankment, near the Principality Stadium, there is a small pontoon, and you can paddle upstream. They were part of a group of nine people on a weekend exploring the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest. Theres even a giant SUP; ten people can fit on it. THE devastated family and friends of three people who died in a paddleboarding accident in Wales have spoken of their heartache. More than 20 police officers, as well as 30 firefighters from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, including specialist water rescue technicians, were involved in the rescue. He asked people with information to come forward to help their investigation. The accident is believed to be the worst paddle boarding accident in the history of the sport. A rescue operation was launched after police received reports of people in distress in the water, including 30 firefighters and swiftwater rescue technicians. Though I can speak out, and will keep doing so despite those advise me otherwise (many who are my friends as well as those who really dont care for my input). 'His sporting prowess extended to many different sports. As, the SUP community deals with the deaths of the four UK paddle boarders and the arrest of the organizer of the trip, the moment can not be lost on how to learn from the accident; for example, expanding eduction about low head dams, discussing trip planning and acknowledge all the factors impacting decision making (flow rates, river terrain/hazards, weather, & human factors), etc. A FORMER soldier and father-of-three who died in a paddle boarding accident on a river in west Wales lost his life after jumping into the water to save two women in distress, it has been claimed . Police said the river was. By He had helped raise more than 4,000 for charity in recent weeks by paddling down the River Wye in 24 hours, navigating the 100 miles from Glasbury to Tintern Abbey. Police said the river was. 'God speed the emergency services and support the families.'. We send our deepest sympathy to his family and friends and to those of the others who lost their lives. Youll also find stand up pedal boards here, which combine the fun of a SUP with the comfort of handlebars. . "Paul was the life and soul of the party," says Paul O'Dwyer's close friend. She was amazing in every way. Its a great way to do some sightseeing, as youll pass bridges and Bute Park. Wales News Service, People took to the water off the coast of Port Talbot as they paid tribute to Mr O'Dwyer on Saturday. Stand Up Paddle Boarding at Margam Park Adventure is suitable for all abilities as long as you can swim! Nicola was a beautiful, caring, considerate and funny person. Paddleboarding is here to stay! Sadly two women and a man died at the scene and a woman remains in a critical condition in hospital., The Health and Safety Executive, the coroner and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch have been informed. Whitewater safety experts stress the dangers of lowhead dams at all times when paddling, as the tragedy illustrates. "He loved all that helping people and raising a few pound for good, worthwhile causes in the community.". Despite a yellow weather warning coming to an end on that morning, flood alerts remained in place on rivers in Pembrokeshire, including the eastern and western Cleddau catchment areas. She will be sadly missed by her mother, father, Rhys, Harry, Holly and Katy. Paddleboarders deaths on the river Cleddau Three people have died and one is in a critical condition in hospital after a group of paddleboarders got into distress on a river in Wales, police have. You may see kingfishers, otters and salmon on the river, which is an exciting prospect as you paddle along. Cardiff probably wouldnt have been your first thought for paddleboarding locations, especially as it is a capital city. Tributes flocked in for the three victims of the horrific tragedy in the aftermath of the incident, with relatives of health worker Ms Wheatley, known as Nikki by her colleagues, saying she was a loving wife, mother and daughter. An inquest into the deaths of four paddleboarders who died after an . As South Wales' oldest and most experienced stand up paddling boarding club, we ensure all of our team are friendly, professional, inclusive and of course safety focussed. The beach is one of the longest in Wales, nearly 3 miles long. The five other paddlers escaped unhurt from the incident. I watched the TV coverage as it happened, spotted the weir (lowhead dam) it is straight, flat and boxed in at either end nothing designed to break up a retentive flow. The northern parts of Wales and Scotland and the south-east and north of England were expected to see the most snow, with it falling in Kent, Northumberland, Carlisle and Falkirk. Our goal: to support and grow paddlesports and keep the sport's stoke alive. Witnesses to a fatal paddleboarding trip on a Welsh river say that they saw a board snapped in half in the swollen waters and one rescuer had to remove a lifejacket from a victim before they could try to resuscitate them. There are even social sessions where you can meet other enthusiasts. 'Nikki was an enthusiastic, dedicated and an incredibly capable colleague. Ms Wheatley, who worked as a specialist in poisons information with the National Poisons Information Service (NPIS), was described by her family as loving mother, daughter, daughter-in-law and wife. Im just a punk ocean surfer who now surfs river waves, and poorly to add to that. That's the sort of bloke he was.'. She is a passionate cider drinker, spiced rum enthusiast and a cook from scratch advocate. A party of nine paddleboarders were on the river when the disaster struck in an incident which is being investigated by police. Her friends said she was passionate about paddleboarding as well as walking the Brecon Beacons with her beloved dog. The water in the bay is sheltered from the weather and relatively flat all year round, giving new or young paddlers excellent conditions to practice in. But I have been around a lot of new extreme sports as they have come on to the scene and matured. Her mother Teresa Hall posted on Facebook: 'My beautiful daughter Morgan, taken too young. Many paddleboarders have reported seeing pods of dolphins just outside the deep water at the end of the pier. 'You'll be sorely missed by all, Brother.'. Year-round classes can be booked, and you can study to become a lifeguard or surf instructor here. The guide should have known there would be issues after the weather conditions. The weekend before the tragedy, Mr O'Dwyer had completed a dangerous 24-hour paddleboard marathon along a 100-mile stretch of the River Wye on the Welsh border. We are devastated by our loss. Three people have died and one is in a critical condition in hospital after a group of paddleboarders got into distress on a river in Wales, police have . Police have said three people died in an accident on a river (Peter Byrne/PA) (PA Archive) . A further five people were pulled out of the river River Cleddau in Haverfordwest by emergency services but had no injuries. It is ultimately your responsibility. Another person is in a critical condition in hospital. Hundreds turned out to mourn the former soldier, with many taking to the water on paddleboards. The five other participants on the trip were rescued unharmed. This is not the first multiple fatality at a low head dams, saysCharlie Walbridge, longtimeAmerican Whitewater Accident Database Manager. Five others in the party, understood to be part of the South Wales Paddle Boarders and Salty Dog Co, were unharmed. Nicola was a loving mother, daughter, daughter-in-law and wife. There are several launch spots along Swansea Bay, including Oystermouth Road, opposite St Helens Rugby Ground and Knab Rock, a smaller slip nearer the pier. We talk about it then sweep it out of memory. Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Andrew Moll OBE, said: This was a tragic and avoidable accident that had a profound effect on the participants and the families of those that lost their lives. A former soldier on a paddleboarding expedition died after trying to save two members of his group from the water. Subscribe to the City A.M. newsletter to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox. A South Wales Police officer was among nine paddleboarders who got into trouble in a river on Saturday morning. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. A man and two women died at the. Where To Go Paddleboarding in South Wales. This month a rowing team Power of the River Worldwide Broadcast Premiere Sunday, Jan. 8 (Plus Streaming News), NRS Founder Bill Parks: What Ive Learned: Let the People Lead, NRS Celebrates 50th Anniversary: Were All Between Swims (Special PL Q&A with Mark Deming), Calling a Spade a Spade: A Review of Spades New Bliss Kayak, Conflicting Reports: Helmet-makers Chime in on Recent Virginia Tech Helmet Study, PL Whitewater Kayaking Essentials Sampler (with Vids! A woman who died in a paddle boarding accident on a river in west Wales had a "beautiful, kind and loving soul", her family have said. Natasha said Mr Williams, an apprentice plumber from Haverfordwest, had always been a strong swimmer but said she was relieved he didn't get swept away in the flooded river. Such as Cold Knap, a pebble and shingle beach, Fontygary, another pebble beach, or Jacksons Bay. The arrest comes as police confirm the fourth death, 41-year-old Andrea Powell, from Bridgend, who was taken to hospital after the incident. She said: 'I am not surprised what he did but I am absolutely in awe. Here Is My Call To Action: The time is now to have real discussions and debate to challenge the status quo over river safety and decision making, especially when it comes to the new found interests in our rivers by paddle boarders and, more close to my interests, river surfers. A woman who died in a paddle boarding accident on a river in west Wales had a "beautiful, kind and loving soul", her family have said. PA Media reported that those involved were part of the South Wales Paddle Boarders and Salty Dog Co, based in Port Talbot. Doting daddy'. Peace, David Riordon, president Colorado River Surfing Association, Lou Dawsons article: SITE VISIT SHEEP CREEK AVALANCHE NEAR LOVELAND PASS 4/6/2013 https://www.wildsnow.com/9980/sheep-creek-avalanche-site-visit/. Meet Our Latest Paddling Life Sweepstakes Winner! His proud mother Natasha said: 'Joel was walking across the bridge when he saw people in trouble so he took his phone out of his pocket. The group of nine adults from South Wales had travelled to Haverfordwest for a paddle-boarding excursion. What the Omnibus Spending Package Means for Rivers (By American Rivers), Chasing Shack: Ocean Rowers Re-create Shackletons Lifeboat Journey, Rafting Community Loses a Legend with the Passing of Rafael Gallo. Ms Mckinven, who said she pulled out of the morning paddle because she was concerned about the weather conditions, said: 'Paul did lose his life attempting to save two of the girls also in distress due to an unexpected downpour. 'Absolutely heartbreaking, [they were] all good friends and did so much to raise money for charities.'. A woman has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter after the deaths of four stand-up paddle-boarders in Wales. We can bearly contain ourselvesThe results are in from our latest Photo Caption Contest, and theyre, well, unbearably funny, On December 20, appropriators released the highly anticipated fiscal year 2023 omnibus spending package which includes modest environmental and By Luke Spencer, Clackamas River Outfitters Dyfed-Powys police said: Following the incident on Cleddau River, Haverfordwest on Saturday 30/10, a woman from the south Wales area has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter as part of the investigation. I'm heartbroken. Police have issued an update on a paddleboarder seriously injured in the tragic incident in Haverfordwest last weekend. She has been released under investigation. She was pulled from the water in Pembrokeshire, Wales, on October 30, after a group of nine . At Aberavon, you can launch from the main beach or on the small side near the car park which is better for windier days as youll be more protected. 'Nikki is also remembered as a gifted and dedicated scientist, who made significant contributions to the field of toxicology and presented her work at an international level. Wheatley, who worked as a specialist with the National Poisons Information Service, was described by her family as a loving mother, daughter, daughter-in-law and wife. , updated The forum to educate others needs to be more prevalent. Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed two women and a man. Four lives lost during a commerical stand up paddleboard tour accident at Haverfordwest Town Weir on the River Cleddau in Wales. A friend who didn't want to be named said: 'The world has lost a truly great man - he was one of the best. For a long time, Rest Bay has been where surfers have flocked. A further five people were pulled out of the river River Cleddau in Haverfordwest by emergency services but had no injuries. Hed be like your corny uncle in the corner, with his corny jokes. The families of the victims who died in the incident last week paid tribute to them. I also challenge the river surfing community and manufacturers to discuss the failings of river surfing equipment from quick release leashes to pfds that might work for SUPs but are not effective in river surfing. These are the best places for groups seeking stand-up paddleboarding in South Wales: Big Blue Adventures; Llandegfedd Lake Visitor and Watersports Centre; Gower Activity Centres; See more stand-up paddleboarding for groups in South Wales on Tripadvisor @RMonREM. A friend in a paddleboarding group said Paul O'Dwyera former soldier and. One of those on the trip, Vickie Mckinven from Milford Haven, said Mr ODwyer, a former soldier and father-of-three, died attempting to rescue two fellow paddleboarders who had got into difficulty near the weir. A former soldier and father-of-three who died in a paddle boarding accident on a river in west Wales lost his life after jumping into the water to save two women in distress, it has been claimed. A statement from her work colleagues described her as an 'enthusiastic and dedicated' worker and said she was a gifted scientist. THE devastated family and friends of three people who died in a paddleboarding accident in Wales have spoken of their heartache. A former soldier and father-of-three who died in a paddle boarding accident on a river in west Wales lost his life after jumping into the water to save two women in distress, it has been. Thank you to the emergency services and everyone who tried to assist with the rescue efforts. Maybe it is human nature to not address hard to speak about things even when it means those things will happen again. Plus, unique jumbo paddleboards allow 4-8 people to paddle together. People were trying to help. I was on the pass that day. Cardiff International White Water is a watersports centre. hree people have died and one is in critical condition in hospital after a group of paddleboarders got into distress on a river in Wales, police have confirmed. We as a family are truly thankful for the kind messages sent to us in our time of great sadness.. It is over 130 miles long, and several places along the river are ideal for paddleboarding. whether he would be paddle . Three paddleboarders have died in south-west Wales after getting into difficulty on a river. The suspect, who police said. ', 'He's fine. Ms Rogers,who loved outdoor adventures and was a member of the South Wales Paddleboarding Club, was described as a 'lovely' girl by her devastated friends. Discovery Company. They were part of a group of nine from the South Wales Paddle. Joel Williams, 20, was walking to the hairdressers at the time but "dived right in" when he saw the paddleboarders in trouble. One of the paddle boarders who was on the trip, Vickie Mckinven, from Milford Haven, said Mr O'Dwyer had died attempting to rescue two fellow paddleboarders who had got into difficulty near the weir. To ensure you enjoy the best experience, all of our coaches are trained and qualified WSA SUP instructors. One of the best spots you can choose to paddle out to is Three Cliffs River, starting at the Heritage Centre. Police in Wales have arrested a woman on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter following a paddleboarding incident a week ago that has now claimed a fourth death. Saturday 6 November 2021 17:33, UK Stopping and portaging above unrunnable drops becomes very difficult. He and two women died, and another woman is critically ill, after the group got into difficulty on the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, on Saturday morning. The emergency services and everyone who tried to assist with the rescue efforts a loving mother,,! 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