Tributes paid to man who died after Pembrokeshire bridge crash

Tributes have been paid to a man who died in a collision between a car and a bus in Pembrokeshire.

Mathew Chapman, 32, was killed at the scene of the crash near the Cleddau Bridge in Pembroke Dock on Tuesday afternoon.

Dyfed-Powys Police said Mr Chapman was driving the car while the coach was carrying 24 holidaymakers from Cumbria.

He was originally from the Dunstable area of Bedfordshire but had been living in Pembrokeshire in recent years.

In a statement issued through police, Mr Chapman’s family said he was “loved by all who met and knew him”.

“Matt is a much-loved son, brother, fiance, grandson and friend to many,” they said.

“He was loved by all who met and knew him. 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 force said Mr Chapman’s family is being supported by specialist officers.

Coach driver

A spokesman added that the driver of the coach, who sustained serious injuries, remains in a stable condition in hospital.

The coach passengers, holidaymakers from Cumbria, were taken to hospital after the crash and later discharged.

Fire service crews from Pembroke Dock, Milford Haven, Haverfordwest, Tenby and Narberth were called to the scene, as well as the air ambulance and road ambulances.

The Cleddau Bridge opened to traffic in 1975 and replaced a ferry service connecting the two parts of Pembrokeshire.

Around 4.4 million vehicles per year use the bridge to cross the Milford Haven estuary.

Officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the collision and ask any witnesses or those with information to contact the force quoting reference DP-20230905-217.