Three dead and another fighting for their life after being swept away in flash floods in Wales
Three paddleboarders swept to their deaths in storm: Man and two women are killed as another woman fights for her life after getting caught in flash floods on weekend trip along Welsh river
Police confirm three dead and a fourth person fighting for their life in hospitalThe group of paddleboarders got into distress in Haverfordwest, South WalesA man and two women were pronounced dead at the scene, while another woman is in a critical condition Huge search and rescue operation was launched on Saturday morning involving four helicopters
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Three people have died and a fourth is fighting for their life in hospital after being swept away in flashfloods in Wales.
A man and two women were pronounced dead at the scene, while another woman is in a critical condition at Withybush Hospital, Dyfed-Powys Police has confirmed.
The group of paddleboarders are understood to have gotten into distress on a river in Haverfordwest, South Wales, on Saturday morning.
The three, part of an organised outing, had been in the water only minutes when they were hit by a deluge of rushing water as they paddled near a weir on the swollen river.
Emergency services at the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest, Wales, today. At least three people were on their boards on a usually calm stretch of the river when they were hit by a huge deluge of flood water
Rescue teams searching for paddle boarders at the River Cleddau today. It comes amid warnings to be careful of dangerous ‘fast flowing and deep floodwaters’
Five more people in the expedition, understood to be part of the South Wales Paddle Boarders and Salty Dog Co, were rescued from the water.
The group of nine people were from different areas across South Wales and were on an annual tour, spending the weekend together exploring the river.
One member of the group said she pulled out of the trip due to concerns about the adverse conditions.
She told PA: ‘Absolutely heartbreaking, was all good friends. And did so much to raise money for charities.’
Dyfed-Powys Police has not yet released the names of those who have died, but said their next of kin are being supported by specialist officers.
Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Rees added that a full investigation into the incident is underway, but at this stage his thoughts were focused on the families of the victims.
A police statement said: ‘Dyfed-Powys Police received reports of people in distress in the Cleddau River in Haverfordwest shortly after 9am on Saturday, October 30.
Three paddle boards were recovered by rescuers and laid on the river bank close to Pembrokeshire Council’s head offices in the town centre. Locals say the river levels had risen because of high rainfall in recent days
A kite surfer was also rescued by a helicopter yesterday afternoon after strong winds launched him 30ft into the air and flung him onto land in Lyme Regis on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset
‘A group of nine adults from the south Wales area had travelled to Pembrokeshire for a paddle-boarding excursion.
‘The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated, but it is believed that the group got into difficulty in the water.
‘Sadly two women and a man died at the scene, and a woman remains in a critical condition in hospital. Next of kin are being supported by specialist family liaison officers.’
The immediate area was cordoned off by emergency services for several hours following reports of the incident.
Around 30 firefighters, including specialist wading crews and swift water rescue technicians, were among the large joint-search and rescue operation.
Multiple helicopters from the National Police Air Service, Coastguard and Wales Air Ambulance also assisted in the search.
Liz Saville Roberts, leader of Plaid Cymru in Westminster, said on Saturday: ‘The news emerging from the River Cleddau incident in Haverfordwest is distressing.
‘God speed the emergency services and support the families.’
It comes amid 70mph winds and heavy rainfall battering much of the UK on Sunday.
The Met Office has said ‘damaging winds’ of up to 60mph to 70mph are possible throughout the day, particularly along the south coast, due to a ‘deep Atlantic low pressure system’ arriving from the west.
The HM Coroner, Health and Safety Executive and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) have been informed.
An MAIB spokesman said: ‘A team of inspectors from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch has deployed to Haverfordwest to undertake a preliminary assessment of the accident, working in co-operation with other agencies.
‘The aim of the MAIB’s preliminary assessment is to help with determining the way forward.’
