Paddle board tour leader jailed over deaths of four people: A tragedy prompting broader safety questions
A former police officer, Nerys Bethan Lloyd, has been sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of gross negligence manslaughter and a Health & Safety at Work offence, related to the deaths of four paddle boarders in October 2021 on the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.
How did the paddle board tragedy happen
Lloyd, owner and sole director of Salty Dog Co Ltd, took a group of eight inexperienced paddle boarders into a flood affected river despite weather warnings and high currents. Crucially, she failed to warn them about a dangerous weir, conducted no proper risk assessment, and equipped participants only with ankle leashes, unsuitable for fast-flowing water. Four individuals – Andrea Powell, 41; Morgan Rogers, 24; Nicola Wheatley, 40; and co instructor Paul O’Dwyer, 42 – were swept over the weir in a powerful ‘hydraulic spin’ and drowned.
Relatives and police have their say
Survivors and relatives delivered deeply affecting testimonies at Swansea Crown Court. They described Lloyd’s “arrogance,” “lack of remorse,” and misleading safety assurances including marketing “fully qualified instructors” when only entry level qualifications had been held. One victim’s mother said: “You guided Morgan to her death,” while another recalled her seven-year-old son asking, “I want to die so I can be with my mummy”.
HSE Inspector Helen Turner condemned Lloyd for robbing participants of informed choice, saying she “failed to plan or assess the obvious risk at the weir”. The tragedy has led to urgent calls for stricter regulation of commercial paddle boarding, particularly regarding river conditions, qualifications, safety gear, and risk briefings.
What this means for independent schools
Though this case occurred in the recreational sector, it has resonated strongly within the school outdoor education community, especially independent schools that routinely organise river and water-based trips.
In written evidence submitted to the government, the Independent Schools Bursars’ Association (ISBA), representing nearly 1,200 independent schools, teamed with the Independent Schools Council to emphasise the importance of robust safety governance in school extracurricular activities. They stressed that while independent schools are already regulated, there is a need for enhanced clarity and support in activity specific risk management, particularly for water sports.
ISBA’s submission highlighted that many independent schools operate under charitable status and vary widely in size, some with fewer than 50 pupils, making tailored governance guidance difficult. The association urged the government to review existing frameworks to ensure subject matter expertise is detailed and accessible from school leadership down to the teaching staff coordinating these activities.
In response to the paddle boarding sentencing, ISBA officials have stated they are exploring new professional development modules focused on emergency planning, water hazard awareness, and instructor competency. They also plan to issue updated templates and best practice toolkits for schools.
The 2013 case Woodland v Essex County Council is a key authority on non-delegable duty of care, where schools remain legally responsible for pupil safety even when third parties are involved. It’s particularly relevant when considering liability in outsourced activities like paddle-boarding.
Looking forward after sentencing
The sentencing of Nerys Lloyd underscores a painful truth that adventure carries inherent risk, and negligence can have fatal outcomes. For independent schools and the wider outdoor education sector, the imperative is clear: robust risk assessment, appropriate qualifications, proper safety equipment, and open communication with participants and parents must be non-negotiable. As ISBA’s advocacy shows, the regulatory gap identified by this tragedy offers a moment for educational institutions to strengthen governance and safeguard future generations.
How can Moore Barlow help
We provide bespoke advice to schools on adhering to individualised risk assessments, responding proactively to incidents, maintaining open communication, and ensuring vigilant supervision. We can advise on all aspects of safeguarding at independent schools. Get hold of our Independent schools lawyers.
