Inquests into deaths of four paddleboarders adjourned
THE inquests into the deaths of four people killed in a paddle boarding tragedy have been adjourned pending the outcome of an investigation into potential criminal offences.
Paul Bennett, senior coroner for Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, opened the four inquests at Llanelli town hall on November 16 by extending his “belated personal condolences” to the bereaved families.
Paul O’Dwyer, aged 42, Morgan Rogers, 24, and Nicola Wheatley, 40, were all pronounced dead at the scene in Haverfordwest on October 30, according to a report read out by the coroner’s officer, Lisa Jenkins.
They had got into difficulty while on a paddle boarding excursion on the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest.
Post-mortem examinations have been conducted on all three and the results are yet to be reported.
Andrea Powell, 41, from the Bridgend area was rescued from the water on the same morning and taken to Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, but died in hospital on November 5, Miss Jenkins said.
The results of the post-mortem examination are also being awaited for Mrs Powell.
It has been claimed Mr O’Dwyer, born on December 19, 1978 and a father-of-three, lost his life after trying to save two women in distress. His best friend of 22 years, Lee West, has paid tribute to him.
The devastated families paid tribute to their loved ones after the incident in Pembrokeshire. Morgan Rogers, from Cefn Coed, Merthyr Tydfil was described by her heartbroken family as a “beautiful, kind and loving soul”.
Nicola Wheatley, a toxicology expert from Pontarddulais, Swansea was described as “a loving mother, daughter, daughter-in-law and wife” who was a “beautiful, caring, considerate and funny person”.
Andrea Powell, who was taken to hospital in a critical condition following the incident, was an adored mother who “loved life”.
The four were part of a group of nine who had travelled to Pembrokeshire for a paddle boarding trip on October 30. But they got into difficulties after reaching a weir on a stretch of the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest.
A massive rescue operation was launched, including crews from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Wales Ambulance Service Trust, Dyfed-Powys Police, the Coast Guard and the RNLI. Search activity was assisted by helicopters.
Dyfed-Powys Police is thoroughly investigating the exact circumstances of the incident. A woman was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter, but has since been released under investigation. Mr Bennett adjourned the inquests pending the outcome of the police investigation into potential criminal offences.