Paddleboard hero lost life trying to save other victims
A HEROIC dad of three died trying to save two fellow paddleboarders swept away in a raging river.
Former soldier Paul O’Dwyer was part of a nine-strong group of adventurers in Haverfordwest, South Wales, when tragedy struck.
Two women also died and another woman remains in a critical condition in hospital after being pulled from the fast-flowing River Cleddau.
Five others were rescued after emergency crews and residents came to their aid on Saturday morning.
One of the group, Vickie Mckinven, said selfless fundraiser Paul, 42, died attempting to rescue his friends who got into difficulties near a weir.
Vickie, of Milford Haven, said: “Paul did lose his life attempting to save two of the girls in distress due to an unexpected downpour.
“Absolutely heartbreaking.All good friends. And he did so much to raise money for charities.”
Vickie said she had pulled out of the morning paddle because she was concerned about the weather conditions.
Paul’s local rugby club Aberavon Green Stars paid tribute, saying: “No doubt Paul put his own life on the line to make sure others were safe.”
A rescue operation was launched after police received reports of
“people in distress” in rising river waters at 9am. One witness said: “Those poor people were so unlucky to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.The river rises very quickly.”
The group from the South Wales Paddleboarders and Salty Dog Co, based in Port Talbot, 60 miles away, were on a weekend trip.
Paul, who described himself as a “dedicated daddy”, was a regular at Aberavon beach near his home. The ex-serviceman had taken part in a
100-mile charity paddleboard on the River Wye just a week ago to raise money for heart screening.
His friend Peter Simon praised his tireless work, saying: “He was a fantastic campaigner, with a zest for life.”
Another friend Josh Cuggy added: “The work you’ve done for charity will never be forgotten.”
And Carl Dent, who set up an Armed Forces fund with Paul, said: “He was relentless in his drive for raising money for charity. If he could
help, he would. If he couldn’t, he’d probably know someone who could.”
Firefighters, divers, police and coastguard teams joined the rescue with four helicopters and the RNLI.
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford tweeted: “My thoughts are with the families and friends who have lost loved ones.”
HM Coroner, the Health and Safety Executive and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch are probing the exact circumstances of the tragedy.