The tranquil atmosphere of Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, was shattered on June 21, 2023, by a devastating incident that claimed the life of eight-month-old Mabli Cariad Hall. Seventy-one-year-old Bridget Curtis, while dropping off her adult daughter for an outpatient appointment, inadvertently triggered a horrific chain of events. In attempting to assist her daughter in locating a misplaced handbag, Curtis mistakenly pressed the accelerator of her automatic BMW, sending the vehicle hurtling forward at a speed of 29 mph. The car mounted the curb, traversing a grassy seating area before colliding with Mabli’s pushchair, resulting in catastrophic head injuries for the infant. Tragically, Mabli succumbed to her injuries four days later, passing away in the arms of her parents, Rob and Gwen Hall.
The courtroom at Swansea Crown Court was filled with palpable grief as Rob and Gwen Hall delivered heart-wrenching victim impact statements, detailing the immeasurable loss they had suffered. Rob Hall recounted the horrifying moment when the car, driven by Curtis, tore his daughter from his arms. He had been happily preparing to take Mabli for a stroll, the image of her smiling face and playful sounds forever etched in his memory. The senseless tragedy compounded their grief, as the incident coincided with Rob’s mother, Betty Hall, receiving palliative care. Forced to choose between his dying mother and his critically injured daughter, Rob was denied the opportunity to be physically present during his mother’s passing, resorting to a heartbreaking farewell via Facetime.
The profound impact of Mabli’s death reverberated through the entire family. Being the youngest of six siblings, Mabli was adored by her older brothers and sisters, who had visited her in the hospital during her final days. The agonizing goodbyes shared between the children and their baby sister left an indelible scar on the family’s collective psyche. Gwen Hall, in her poignant statement, described the devastating turn of events. Just fifteen minutes after taking Mabli to say goodbye to her grandmother, Gwen found herself racing to the A&E department, responding to the unimaginable news of the accident. She lamented the milestones Mabli would never reach – her first crawl, her first steps, the joy of attending school, the prospect of marriage and family – all stolen by a single, irreversible moment.
The life of Mabli Cariad Hall, a vibrant and loving child, was extinguished far too soon. Just a day before the tragedy, she had uttered the word “Mama” for the first time, filling her parents’ hearts with joy. Gwen Hall described her daughter as her best friend, her shadow, her second skin, a source of constant love and happiness. The courtroom resonated with the unspoken question: how could such a senseless tragedy occur in a place intended for healing and care? The grassy area where Mabli had been playing, safely distanced from the road, should have been a sanctuary, not a scene of unimaginable heartbreak.
Bridget Curtis, the driver responsible for Mabli’s death, was a 71-year-old woman with a clean driving record. Following her arrest, she pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. During the proceedings, dashcam footage from another vehicle provided a chilling visual of the incident. The footage depicted Curtis’ car seemingly lifting off the ground before impacting Mabli’s family and her pushchair, finally coming to rest after colliding with a tree. Judge Geraint Walters, presiding over the case, described the footage as beyond words, its sheer impact only comprehensible through viewing. He highlighted Curtis’ failure to brake or take any evasive action after the car began moving, further emphasizing the gravity of her inaction.
Representing Curtis, John Dye portrayed her as a devoted mother of four and grandmother of ten, who had led a previously blameless and law-abiding life. He conveyed her deep remorse and devastation, emphasizing that she had penned a letter of apology to the Hall family, taking full responsibility for her actions. Judge Walters, acknowledging the tragic and irreversible consequences of Curtis’ actions, sentenced her to four years in prison and disqualified her from driving for eight years. He characterized her driving as “grossly reckless,” underscoring the senseless and needless nature of Mabli’s death. The sentencing served as a somber conclusion to a case that highlighted the fragility of life and the devastating consequences that can arise from a momentary lapse in judgment. While justice was served, the immeasurable void left in the Hall family’s lives will forever remain. The memory of Mabli Cariad Hall, a life brimming with potential, tragically cut short, will undoubtedly serve as a constant reminder of the need for vigilance and cautiousness, particularly in environments where safety should be paramount.
