Tributes pour in for teenagers killed after colliding with bus
Tributes pour in for teenagers killed on way back from funeral after colliding with bus
South Wales Police
The families of three teenagers who were killed in a crash whilst travelling back from a funeral have paid touching tributes to them.
Callum Griffiths, 19, from Porth, Jesse Owen and Morgan Smith, both 18, from Tonypandy, died in a collision between a bus an Audi A1 on Monday at around 7pm.
All three were declared dead at the scene, whilst two other men, aged 18 and 19, were taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, with life-threatening injuries.
Two more have been treated for minor injuries.
Smith represented Wales at an amateur level for the Maerdy Boxing Club
Maerdy Boxing Club
The collision took place in Elwyn Street in Coedely, a village about 20 miles from Cardiff.
Mourners have left flowers and tributes to the deceased teenagers at the scene.
Tributes have poured in from the three boys’ families, describing them as “well loved”.
Daniel Chalfont, Smith’s father, wrote on Facebook: “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.”
In a statement released by the Smith family, they said: “Morgan is a popular boy, he is a well-loved son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin. We as a family are devastated by the loss of Morgan, we have been left with a void that can never be filled. We love you our boy.”
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Smith was described as “the nicest person you could ever wish to meet” in a Facebook post by the Maerdy Boxing Club, for which he had represented Wales at amateur level.
Owen’s family said: “Jesse had a presence that would light up any room. He was loved by all who had the honour of knowing him. He was the most loving, happy, kind, calm and beautiful soul. He would do absolutely anything for anyone. He loved his family and friends and was loyal to the core.”
Griffiths’ family paid tribute, saying: “Callum had the most beautiful smile that would light up the room. He was the most precious gift of a son and our love is endless.
“Our hearts have been broken into a million pieces, broken beyond repair. He was so loving and had a caring soul. He has left a hole in our hearts that cannot be filled.”
Griffiths’ family added that he had just qualified as a barber.
His sister Erin added: “Callum was my best friend and the most selfless person in the world. I will always love him and am so proud of him.”
The boys’ respective former schools issued a statement about their passing.
The street where the crash took place
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They said: “The school communities of Porth Community School, Tonyrefail Community School and Ysgol Nantgwyn are completely devastated by the news that former pupils were involved in a fatal incident yesterday evening in Coedely.
“Pupils and staff from all our schools send their heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the families of the former pupils who have died.”
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 incident follows two other serious crashes which happened in Wales this year.
Jevon Hirst, 16, Harvey Owen, 17, Wilf Fitchett, 17 and Hugo Morris, 18, were pronounced dead at the scene when they were discovered in November.
In March, Rafel Jeanne, 24, Darcy Ross, 21, and Eve Smith, 21, died in a crash while two other passengers, Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32, were injured but survived.
The five were not discovered until 46 hours after the Cardiff crash.