LOCAL hero Joel has been commended for his bravery by a local politician in the wake of the paddleboarding tragedy.  

Labour representative for Mid and West Wales, MS Joyce Watson picked out Joel as she commended the efforts of everyone involved after the water sport tragedy that occurred on the Cleddau at the weekend.

In an extraordinary act of bravery Joel Williams, from Johnston, jumped into the water to pull the body of woman out the river as she floated past him while he was trying to help a man on the riverbank. 

Joel’s mum Natasha said she was in awe of her son and that he was crazy to have jumped into the river.

"Joel was crazy to do it at the time but how can you not when there are people fighting for their lives?"

And cousin Bethan said Joel is a very chilled out lad who doesn’t think he did anything special – even though what he did was an immense show of selflessness.

“He is very chilled out. He does not like fuss. If it happened again he would just do the same. His main concern is about the families and their welfare.”

Ms Watson sent her condolences to all the people involved in the incident that occurred over the weekend.

"This was a tragic event and my deepest sympathies go to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in this incident.

"I also want to pay tribute to the emergency services and to local residents who tried to help and assist, including brave local youngster Joel Williams."

The three people who died in the accident have been identified while a woman still remains in a critical condition in hospital.

In a statement read outside Haverfordwest Police Station, detective chief inspector Jonathan Rees of Dyfed-Powys Police revealed the nine people got into difficulties after reaching the weir near Quay Street on Saturday morning.

South Wales Police confirmed that one of the people involved in the paddleboarding tragedy was a serving police officer in their force.