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A FATAL road traffic collision occurred on the A477 near the Cleddau Bridge on Tuesday afternoon, 5th September 2023. The devastating incident involved a private car and a coach from Titterington Holidays, based in Penrith, Cumbria.

According to an official press release from the Dyfed-Powys Police, the male driver of the car unfortunately succumbed to his injuries and was declared dead at the scene. Specialist officers have since informed and are supporting the bereaved family. The coach’s driver, who sustained serious injuries in the crash, has been hospitalised and is currently in a stable condition.

The coach, carrying 24 holidaymakers from the Cumbria region, met with this accident during a five-day trip. Paul Titterington, owner of Titterington Holidays, confirmed the involvement of one of their company’s coaches. The passengers, representing a diverse age group, were immediately rushed to the hospital for medical treatment. Fortunately, all of them have been discharged following necessary care.

The collision necessitated an immediate and extensive response from emergency services. An air ambulance was dispatched to the scene to airlift the severely trapped driver. Meanwhile, fire crews from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service worked tirelessly, not only to free the trapped motorist but also to administer first aid to the injured passengers. As a result, several passengers were transported to the hospital via road ambulances and police vehicles.

Wales’ First Minister, Mark Drakeford, expressed his concern, stating, “It’s worrying to hear news of a major incident on the Cleddau Bridge in Pembrokeshire. My thoughts are with all those involved, and I extend my gratitude to the first responders and emergency services working at the scene.”

Hywel Dda Health Board made an urgent appeal, requesting locals to only visit the Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest for life-threatening conditions or severe injuries. This step was taken to ensure that the medical staff could focus on providing an efficient response to the emergency at hand.

The aftermath of the accident resulted in significant traffic disruptions. The main A477 road connecting Pembroke Dock to Milford Haven was temporarily closed, causing considerable delays for commuters. Lauren Joseph, a local resident, shared her experience, recounting an hour-long, 35-mile diversion post the incident. “As I reached the bridge after work, council officials advised a detour due to the accident. The congestion due to the crash has severely reduced the usual speed limit,” she commented.

The road has since reopened as of 4.30 am on 6th September. Dyfed-Powys Police expressed their gratitude for the public’s patience during the investigative and recovery operations. They are now appealing to anyone with valuable information or witnesses of the incident to come forward and assist in their ongoing investigations.

Members of the public can contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, via email, or by calling the dedicated hotline. Those who are deaf or have speech and hearing impairments can text the non-emergency number provided.