A man has tragically died following a serious incident that led to the closure of a road and a widespread power outage in north Wales. Emergency services were alerted to the scene near the Wern Bach Crossroads on the B5381 in Conwy, close to the small village of Betws-yn-Rhos, on the morning of Thursday, 1 May 2025.
Shortly before 10am, North Wales Police and ambulance teams responded to reports of an incident at a farm situated in Betws-yn-Rhos, Abergele. The Wales Air Ambulance was also rapidly dispatched and remained on site for approximately two hours, before later returning to its base in Caernarfon, Gwynedd around midday.
In a statement released earlier today, North Wales Police confirmed that, regrettably, a 56-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. The man’s family, as well as the local coroner, have been informed of the incident. Further details about the individual or the specific circumstances leading up to the tragedy have not yet been made public, in order to respect the family’s privacy during this distressing period.
Due to the serious nature of the incident and the involvement of heavy farm equipment, the matter has been referred to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The HSE acts as the main national regulator for workplace safety, and its inspectors visited the site on Thursday afternoon to undertake a thorough investigation, working alongside the police to establish the full facts of the case.
The incident had a significant knock-on effect in the local community, causing the temporary closure of the B5381 road. This led to some disruption for motorists and local residents, requiring traffic to be diverted while emergency and investigation teams worked at the scene. Local authorities have advised commuters to consider alternative routes while road closures remain in effect.
Notably, the incident was also linked to a large-scale power outage in the LL22 area, affecting numerous properties in Betws-yn-Rhos and its surroundings. SP Energy Networks, the local power company, released a statement apologising for the disruption: “We are sorry for the continued interruption of power in the LL22 area of Betws Yn Rhos. Power has been restored to some properties, but due to safety concerns, we are still working on restoring power to the remaining customers. We aim to have all power restored by 16:15, and will update customers should the situation change.”
Restoring electricity to the affected homes and businesses proved challenging due to the ongoing investigation and safety measures. SP Energy Networks assured residents that teams were working tirelessly to remedy the situation, but prioritised the safety of both their workers and the community.
While the cause of the incident has not been officially confirmed, the presence of both police and HSE investigators points to concerns about workplace safety, a critical issue in agricultural environments where heavy machinery and electrical infrastructure often intersect. Such tragedies, although rare, highlight the importance of robust health and safety procedures on farms and rural workplaces.
The local community has been left shocked by the incident, with many residents expressing sympathy for the family involved. Authorities have stated they will release more information as the investigation progresses, but have asked for the public’s understanding and patience in the meantime.
As the area recovers from the disruption and the investigation continues, many are reflecting on the risks faced by those working in rural settings. This incident serves as a sombre reminder of the vigilance required to protect workers and ensure the safety of all who live and work in remote parts of Wales.