A 19-year-old motorist has admitted to charges of causing serious injury by dangerous driving after his vehicle veered off a rural road and crashed into a busy campsite in Newgale, Pembrokeshire. The incident, which took place in August 2023, left several holidaymakers seriously injured and narrowly avoided claiming the life of a baby sleeping in one of the tents.
The driver in question, Jack Hale of Simpson Cross, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court nearly two years after the dramatic events unfolded. He pleaded guilty to four counts of causing grievous injuries as a direct result of his dangerous actions behind the wheel. The sentencing has been deferred and is due to take place at Swansea Crown Court later in the year.
According to police accounts, Hale was driving a Ford Fiesta when it left the roadway, struck a ditch, and rolled directly onto a tent filled with people. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as the vehicle toppled and came to rest amidst a cluster of campers, ultimately injuring nine individuals. The accident could have proven even more tragic if not for the sheer luck that a baby inside one of the tents was safely tucked away in its cot.
The immediate aftermath saw campers and staff rushing to assist those hurt. Mike Harris, who owns the caravan and camping site, recalled being summoned to the scene just moments after the horrifying event. He said many feared fatalities when they saw the wreckage. “My staff heard the screaming and notified me right away while calling emergency services. At first, the sheer scale of the crash led people to believe lives had been lost,” he explained. “A baby was saved, I believe, because it was in a cot at the time.”
Additional details were shared by Mr Harris’ wife, Clare Harris. She described the car as travelling “at speed down the hill” before the driver apparently lost control, at which point the vehicle rolled numerous times before colliding with the tent. Pointing out the good fortune amidst calamity, she stressed that the presence of a medic among the guests perhaps made a crucial difference in the immediate care given to victims.
Witnesses recounted terrifying moments as the incident unfolded. Fern Wilson, who was nearby at the time, recalled the chilling sound of children screaming and the visible distress among both the campers and the young passengers in the car. “There was a little girl hurt, and the girls in the car were all in shock, crying and screaming,” Wilson said.
Local representative Councillor Peter Morgan offered a sobering reflection on the incident, stating: “It’s nothing short of miraculous that there were no fatalities. It was a harrowing sight, but the presence of medical professionals among the campers provided some immediate and much-needed help.”
The crash and its aftermath have naturally prompted concerns about road safety in the rural locality, as well as highlighting the perils of speeding—especially near areas frequented by families and tourists. While police investigations paved the way for the recent court proceedings, for many involved, the traumatic memory of that night remains fresh.
As Jack Hale awaits sentencing, the community of Newgale and those who were at the campsite that day are left to reflect on how close the tragedy came to being even worse. The case starkly underscores the dangers of reckless driving and the unpredictable devastation it can inflict upon innocent bystanders, especially in peaceful holiday spots where such events are least expected.
Emergency responders and campsite staff were praised for their quick-thinking and coordinated response, which most likely prevented the loss of life. As legal proceedings continue, the focus remains firmly on delivering justice for the injured and implementing measures to reduce the chance of similar incidents in the future.