Teens killed in Wales road crash had been at funeralon December 12, 2023 at 5:24 pm

The three teenagers who died in a crash involving a bus and an Audi A1 have been named.

Callum Griffiths, 19, from Porth, and Jesse Owen and Morgan Smith, both 18 and from Tonypandy, were killed after a collision at about 19:00 GMT on Monday.

The BBC has been told those in the car had all been at a funeral earlier.

Two died at the scene in Coedely, Rhondda Cynon Taf, while two others, aged 18 and 19, remain in hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Another two people were treated for minor injuries.

Morgan Smith’s father Daniel Chalfont said on Facebook: “My baby boy Morgan Smith. Literally the most perfect son you could ever wish for.

“Miss you so much already. Don’t know how I’ll live life without you. Literally broken.”

The terraced street where the crash happened, Elwyn Street, is a 20mph (32km/h) road and mourners have begun leaving floral tributes to the teenagers at the scene.

Rhys Edwards, who trains at Rhondda Amateur Boxing Club, said: “I was close friends with four out of the five [who were in the crash].

“Morgan trained at this gym, so did Jessie, they’ve been best friends with my little brothers for years and years now. I’ve seen them grow up. They were all crazy, all of them were lovely, lovely boys.

“Everyone’s just devastated. They hadn’t started their life yet. I know everyone’s truly heartbroken.”

Maerdy Boxing Club also paid tribute to Morgan, saying it had lost “one of our own”.

“Morgan was the nicest person you could ever wish to meet”, said the club, adding he was “a very talented boxer, becoming Welsh Champion, representing Wales in the British Championships”.

Welsh Boxing said: “Morgan became Welsh youth champion last year and represented Wales at the GB Three Nations tournament where he won a bronze medal.

“Our thoughts are with all the families and friends, everyone involved at Morgan’s boxing club Maerdy ABC and the members of the boxing community who knew him.”

Supt Esyr Jones of South Wales Police said: “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragic incident.

“Trained family liaison officers are supporting the families at what must be an extremely difficult time for them.”

The Welsh Ambulance Service said seven ambulances were sent to the scene of the crash.

“Four people were taken to University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, and a fifth person was taken to Royal Glamorgan Hospital for further treatment,” it added.

Rhondda Cynon Taf’s deputy mayor Dan Owen-Jones said he was one of the first at the scene, after receiving a call from someone living on the street.

He said: “It’s a distressing time for all. At this time of year it’s even worse.

“I was there immediately, about two minutes past seven. I had a call from one of the neighbours, it happened outside their home. I was on the frontline trying to do the best with the traffic control.

“Later on there was lots and lots of family and friends. It was very distressing to see the family, but understandable – if it was one of my family I would have wanted to be there.”

In a Facebook post on a local community page, he said: “I have faced this evening tragedy and bereaved families at its worse, at times I was numb and helpless to the grieving families.

“I cannot even describe the pain, shock and suffering I have witnessed tonight… Horrific.”

First Minister Mark Drakeford said on X, formerly Twitter: “My thoughts are with the families and friends of those involved in this tragic incident in Coedely, and diolch o galon to all first responders working at the scene.”

Alex Davies-Jones, Labour MP for Pontypridd, said: “It is utterly devastating for our community.

“Ours is a tight-knit community – everyone knows the families involved. My heart goes out to everyone affected I cannot praise enough the police, the first responders and the general members of the public who tried to help last night.

“If anyone does need support please come forward and my office is open.”