Paddleboard deaths caused in part by lack of staff training

A LACK of training by staff at a tour company contributed to the deaths of four paddleboarders in Wales, an investigation has found.

A report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) found that the people who led the tour during which the deaths happened in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, “did not have the training, experience or qualifications” required.

Paul O’dwyer, 42, from Port Talbot; Morgan Rogers, 24, from Merthyr Tydfil; and Nicola Wheatley, 40, from Swansea died on the Cleddau River on Oct 30 last year.

Andrea Powell, 41, from Bridgend, was taken to the nearby Withybush Hospital but died six days later.

They were part of a group of nine people on a paddleboarding tour led by the

‘This was a tragic accident that had a profound effect on the participants and their families’

owner of a company named Salty Dog Co Limited, with the assistance of an “associate” and another leader.

The victims all fell from their paddleboards as they descended Haverfordwest Town Weir. The MAIB stated that they became trapped in the weir’s hydraulic towback, which is a strong recirculating flow of water.

Investigators found that the tour leader had conducted a reconnaissance of the route two months earlier when the river conditions were “benign”. The leaders did not visit the weir on the day of the accident and were “unaware” of the high river level, tidal conditions and flood alert in force at the time.

Andrew Moll, chief inspector of marine accidents, 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.

“Those that buy or rent a paddleboard need to understand the risks.”