THREE surfers have died and a fourth is fighting for his life after being washed away when flash floods hit a river during a storm.
Two women and a man died at the scene and a woman is in critical condition in hospital after fierce downpours hit the River Cleddau in Pembrokeshire, Wales, yesterday morning.
Five other people were rescued unharmed after a multi-agency operation was launched, police confirmed today.
The group of nine adults from South Wales had traveled to Haverfordwest for a rowing excursion.
A member of the public is believed to have jumped into the water to try to rescue the rowing practitioners before leaving safely.
Police scrambled after reports of the group "in distress" in the water near the city center shortly after 9 a.m.
TRAGEDY ON WELSH RIVER
Tributes have been poured out for ex-soldier Paul O'Dwyer, 42, of Port Talbot, who was named as one of three paddle surfers who died.
O'Dwyer, who described himself as a "dedicated dad," had given lessons with the Salty Dog Co surfshot in Aberavon Beach, near his home in Port Talbot.
In a Twitter post, Salty Dog Co wrote: "It is with great regret that we say goodbye to our salty dog โโPaul.
"A lovely human being taken too soon.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family. We will miss him very much."
A friend of O'Dwyer's posted on Facebook: "He was a fantastic activist for charity and someone with a zest for life.
โThere was nothing Paul couldn't do. You have been a fantastic friend and I am so sorry that you were captured so soon. "
A spokesperson for the Aberavon Green Stars Football Club in Port Talbot wrote: "Paul O'Dwyer, where do we start?
"Everything that man did was for the benefit and betterment of others, he truly made the world a better place and has left a legacy of inspiration and hope for those who may not have realized they needed it."
"Everyone will miss you so much, bro."
'' A CHARMING HUMAN BEING ''
O'Dwyer took part in a charity event earlier this month, raising over ยฃ 4,000 by completing The Wye 100 in 24 hours, paddling 100 miles of river from Glasbury to Tintern Abbey.
He also organized an event in September when 130 people rowed from Mumbles in Swansea to Aberavon in Port Talbot, raising over ยฃ 2,000 for the RNLI and a local lifeguard club.
Last February, O'Dwyer met Prince William and Kate Middleton when the Cambridges toured the RNLI Mumbles lifeboat station overlooking Swansea Bay.
A witness who saw the horror unfold said: "The body of a man was seen in the river and a woman was also taken away.
"It looked alive but it didn't look very good at all.
6
"It's terrible and so tragic. It started on a beautiful Saturday morning and then the river just rose.
"It must have been terrifying."
A member of the group who traveled for the paddleboard trip said she withdrew the morning of the incident because she was concerned about conditions.
Vickie Mckinven said: "Absolutely heartbreaking, they were all good friends. And they did a lot to raise money for charities."
Another witness said they pulled a "young woman" from the river.
'FRIGHTENING'
"They were just below the dam when they were hit by a flash flood that came out of nowhere," they said.
"It was raining a lot at the time and the river levels are quite high due to the bad weather we have had this week."
Councilman Thomas Tudor called it a "terrible tragedy" and sent his condolences "to the families who have lost loved ones."
Dyfed-Powys police said the exact circumstances of the tragedy are being investigated, but the group is believed to have struggled in the water.
The victims' families are supported by specialized family liaison officers.
Thirty firefighters, including specialized wader teams and fast water rescue technicians, rushed to help with the rescue mission.
A terrible tragedy unfolded on the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest's Castle Ward.
Councilor Thomas Tudor
Two fireboats were launched along with coast guard crews and an RNLI lifeboat.
There was helicopter support from NPAS, Coastguard and Wales Air Ambulance.
More than 20 police officers participated in the search efforts as officers combed the benches near the city center.
Police recovered three paddleboards from the river and piled them up on the shore during their search.
City Councilor Mr. Tudor said: "A terrible tragedy unfolded on the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest's Castle Ward today.
"I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in this tragedy and I would like to thank the emergency services for their courageous efforts to address this issue.
"I would also like to thank the staff at Bristol Trader and Vaughans Radio who provided help and support to the emergency services during this difficult operation."
DCI Rees of the Dyfed-Powys Police has appealed to anyone who may have information that may assist the investigation to get in touch via the force's website via this link.
The Health and Safety Executive and the Maritime Accident Investigation Sub-Directorate (MAIB) have been informed.
6
6
6
6
