Business owner jailed for gross negligence manslaughter: Why is it essential to have a risk assessment?

A recent court case sent shockwaves through the health and safety community, serving as a tragic and sobering reminder of the consequences of the lack of risk management in high-risk recreational activities.

Nerys Lloyd, 39, owner and sole director of Salty Dog Co Ltd, has been sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after pleading guilty on 5 March 2025 at Swansea Crown Court to four counts of gross negligence manslaughter and one count under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Her sentence follows the tragic deaths of four paddleboarders on 30 October 2021, during an excursion on the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest, Wales.

The victims were Paul O’Dwyer, 42, (who was also an instructor assistant on the day), Andrea Powell, 41, Morgan Rogers, 24, and Nicola Wheatley, 40.

All four lost their lives after being swept into the dangerous conditions of Haverfordwest Town Weir during a paddleboard trip organised by Lloyd’s business. Four others survived the incident.

What went wrong?

Despite clear weather warning and recent heavy flooding, the paddleboarding trip went ahead. The river was running fast, and the weir was known to be extremely hazardous. Critically, Lloyd failed to:

• Conduct a pre-activity risk assessment
• Check conditions of the weir
• Provide a safety briefing
• Inform participants of the presence and risks posed by the weir.

Although one instructor, Paul O’Dwyer, initially exited the river safely, he re-entered in a fatal attempt to rescue the others. He too was pulled over the weir and drowned alongside the others.

A joint investigation by Dyfed-Powys Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that Lloyd was not appropriately qualified to lead a stand-up paddleboard river tour. She lacked the certifications and competence required to safely guide beginners through such a high-risk environment.

HSE Inspector Helen Turner stated:

“Four lives were needlessly lost and survivors traumatized by their experience at Haverfordwest Weir. Nerys Lloyd was solely responsible for the decision to enter the water while the river was in flood, and for the attempt to take even inexperienced paddlers over the weir. This was completely reckless and the risk of death was foreseeable.”

Turner further emphasised that safety laws are not designed to stifle adventurous activities, but rather to support then through proportionate risk management. “Through her incompetence, carelessness and complacency, [Lloyd] failed to plan or assess the obvious risk at the weir or to take even basic safety measures.”

Detective Superintendent Cameron Ritchie of Dyfed-Powys Police acknowledging the devastation is caused four families, stated “We hope that lessons will be learned that prevent this from ever happening again.” It reaffirms the fundamental principles of health and safety: Competence, planning, communication and control.

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