Family pay tribute to 'much-loved' man killed in car crash with bus

Family pay tribute to ‘much-loved’ man, 32, killed in car crash with 52-seater bus on a bridge

• Matthew Chapman, 32, was the car driver killed in the crash at Pembroke Dock 

Family of a car driver who was killed in a crash with a 52-seater bus have paid tribute to him.

Mathew Chapman, 32, died after his vehicle and the coach collided near the Cleddau Bridge, Pembroke Dock, on Tuesday.

The bus driver was rushed to hospital in critical condition and is still being treated, but is said to now be stable.

Mr Chapman’s family have released a picture of him through Dyfed Powys Police as well as a tribute to him.

It said: ‘Matt is a much-loved Son, Brother, Fiancé, Grandson and friend to many.

‘He was loved by all who met and knew him. 

Mathew Chapman, 32, died after his vehicle and the coach collided near the Cleddau Bridge, Pembroke Dock, on Tuesday

The crashed bus on the verge surrounded by emergency services vehicles on Tuesday 

‘We are all shocked and devastated, and would ask for privacy at this time to try and come to terms with what has happened.’

The crash happened on Tuesday afternoon near the bridge, which carries the A477 over the River Cleddau between Neyland and Pembroke Dock.

Fire crews worked hard to try and save both men from the smash wreckage.

At the time NHS Wales advised members of the public to avoid attending local A&E unless they had life-threatening or serious injuries so medics could treat those involved in the crash.

Firefighters from Pembroke Dock, Milford Haven, Haverfordwest, Tenby and Narberth were called to the scene as well as the air ambulance and Dyfed-Powys Police

The air ambulance was scrambled to the scene at Cleddau Bridge in South Wales this week

A police officer diverts traffic on the A477 over the Cleddau Bridge following this week’s crash

An emergency response truck makes its way over the bridge on Tuesday to help at the scene

On Tuesday Dyfed-Powys Police said the A477 between Pembroke Dock and Haverfordwest was shut in both directions at the Cleddau Bridge. 

‘The A477 is currently closed between the Honeyborough roundabout and the Pembroke roundabout and road users are advised to take an alternative route,’ a spokesperson said.

The Mid and West Wales Fire Service said that ‘many of the bus passengers are suffering with various injuries’, as the Welsh Ambulance Service revealed that ten people were taken to hospital for treatment following the incident. 

‘We sent five emergency ambulances, one duty operations manager, one Cymru High Acuity Response Unit and non-emergency patient transport service vehicles to the scene,’ a spokesman said.

‘We were supported by colleagues from the Wales Air Ambulance. We transferred one patient to University Hospital of Wales, and a further nine patients to Withybush Hospital for further treatment.’

Cleddau Bridge on the A477 is closed in both directions due to the collision, police had tweeted

In a sign of the incident’s seriousness, NHS Wales had advised members of the public to avoid attending local A&E unless they had life-threatening or serious injuries

Frank Rowland posted on Facebook: ‘Just seen the air ambulance circling in the vicinity, hope it’s not too serious.’

Senedd member Samuel Kurtz wrote: ‘Very concerning news and hoping all involved are ok.

‘Special thanks to all our emergency services for reacting to this incident.

‘As of 4pm the bridge remains closed, so please avoid it until confirmation comes through that it has reopened.’

First Minister Mark Drakeford tweeted: ‘Worrying to hear news of a major incident on the Cleddau Bridge. Details are still emerging. My thoughts are with all those involved and my thanks to the first responders and emergency services working at the scene.’

The deep estuary of Milford Haven divides Pembrokeshire into two. The distance by road from Neyland on the north shore to Pembroke Dock on the south is 28 miles. The bridge opened to traffic in 1975. In the first year of operation approximately 885,900 vehicles used the bridge. By year ending March 2009 this number increased to 4,600,407 – the highest figure recorded.

The current figure stands at 4.4million vehicles per year.

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