Cardiff car crash – latest: Police hit back at claims over missing search

Two Welsh police forces to be investigated by Independent Office for Police Conduct after criticism

Three bodies found and two in hospital after group go missing in Cardiff

Police involved in the search for victims following the fatal Cardiff car crash have hit back at claims suggesting members of the public discovered the wreckage, not officers.

Eve Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21 and Rafel Jeanne, 24, died after a Volkswagen Tiguan came off the A48(M) and crashed into trees. Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32, remain in critical condition.

The three found dead and two others seriously injured in the crash are reported to have lain in the wreckage for up to 46 hours before being discovered.

The victims’ loved ones have since accused South Wales Police and the Gwent force of not taking the missing person reports seriously, alleging the car was only found through their own search efforts.

In a joint statement, police said that shortly before midnight on Sunday, a police helicopter “was requested to search an area of Cardiff which resulted in a vehicle being located in a wooded area off the A48.”

Two officers in the area then arrived to discover the Volkswagen Tiguan, the statement said.

Key Points

• Police hit back at claims over missing search
• Police watchdog to investigate Welsh forces' actions over search for crash victims
• Man who found best friend dead in Cardiff car crash slams police for not finding victims sooner
• Double tragedy for Cardiff crash victim’s family as sister killed by drug-driver eight years ago
• Police confirm timeline of events leading to discovery of Cardiff horror crash

[8 March 2023 07:00 · Maroosha Muzaffar]

ICYMI: Family criticise police search as tributes pour in for three killed in Cardiff crash

A mother who spent hours searching for her missing daughter who was involved in a deadly car crash in Cardiff has criticised police after allegedly being told to “stop calling for updates”.

Concerns were raised after three women and two men went missing at the weekend, with family and friends of the group making repeated appeals to locate them.

The women, Sophie Russon, Eve Smith and Darcy Ross, were seen travelling in a Volkswagen Tiguan with two men, Rafel Jeanne and Shane Loughlin. They were last seen at around 2am in Cardiff.

Read the full story by Thomas Kingsley here:

[8 March 2023 07:20 · Maroosha Muzaffar]

Cardiff crash: Everything we know about friends’ night out that ended in tragedy

Fateful night out included 70-mile round trip that started with Sophie Russon, Eve Smith, and Darcy Ross at Muffler bar in Newport. Read the full piece by Martha McHardy here:

[8 March 2023 08:00 · Emily Atkinson]

Watch | Fireworks light up sky as vigil held for Cardiff car crash victims

[8 March 2023 08:40 · Emily Atkinson]

Police issue timeline of events before Cardiff crash

The police have set out a timeline of events leading to the discovery of a crashed car in which three people died and two were seriously injured:

• The last confirmed sighting of the five people was at 2am on Saturday 4^th March in Pentwyn.
• The collision occurred during the early hours of Saturday 4^th March, the exact time to be confirmed by the investigation, including CCTV and ANPR enquiries.
• The first missing person report was made to Gwent Police at 7.34pm on Saturday 4^th March.
• Further missing person reports were made to Gwent Police at 7.43pm and 9.32pm on Saturday 4^th March.
• A further missing person report was made to South Wales Police at 5.37pm on Sunday 5^th March.
• At 11.50pm on Sunday 5^th March the police helicopter was requested to search an area of Cardiff which resulted in a vehicle being located in a wooded area off the A48.
• Gwent Police officers on the ground had sight of the car (a Volkswagen Tiguan) at 12:02am on Monday 6th March, and this culminated in a log being created by South Wales Police at 12:15am.
• At this stage we believe only one vehicle to be involved.

[8 March 2023 09:41 · Emily Atkinson]

Map showing the route taken by the group on the night of the crash

(The Independent via Google Maps)

[8 March 2023 10:23 · Emily Atkinson]

Floral tributes left near scene of crash in St Mellons

(PA Wire)

(PA)

(PA)

[8 March 2023 11:42 · Emily Atkinson]

Family criticise police search as tributes pour in for three killed in Cardiff crash

A mother who spent hours searching for her missing daughter who was involved in a deadly car crash in Cardiff has criticised police after allegedly being told to “stop calling for updates”.

Concerns were raised after three women and two men went missing at the weekend, with family and friends of the group making repeated appeals to locate them.

The women, Sophie Russon, Eve Smith and Darcy Ross, were seen travelling in a Volkswagen Tiguan with two men, Rafel Jeanne and Shane Loughlin. They were last seen at around 2am in Cardiff.

Thomas Kingsley has more:

[8 March 2023 12:45 · Emily Atkinson]

School pays tribute to ‘joyful pupil and sincere friend’ Rafel Jeanne

A school attended by a victim of the Cardiff car crash has paid tribute to its formal pupil.

Rafel Jeanne, 24, was described by Ysgol Glantaf as a “joyful pupil, full of life and energy at school, popular within his year group and a very sincere friend.”

In a statement, his school said said: “It is with great sadness that we hear of the loss of one of our dear, former pupils Rafel Jeanne, who was cruelly and unexpectedly taken this week. Rafel was a joyful pupil, full of life and energy at school, popular within his year group and a very sincere friend who was well respected among his classmates.

Rafel Jeanne was also killed in the crash (Social Media )

“He contributed regularly to school activities, starring as a member of rugby teams, at the National Stadium winning the Welsh Cup in 2013 and travelling with the school’s 7-a-side squad to compete in the Rosslyn Park finals in 2012. His energetic, enthusiastic approach and warm smile attracted people to him and marked his character.

“Rafel was a popular and happy pupil, keen to support others, indeed seeing his development during his time at school was proof of his maturity and consistent effort within the school community. We send our sincere condolences to Rafel’s family and friends throughout the city and beyond, as we dearly remember a joyful and dear pupil whom we are delighted and proud to know as a member of teulu Glantaf.”

[8 March 2023 13:45 · Emily Atkinson]

Watch: Drone footage of fatal Cardiff car crash scene

[8 March 2023 14:37 · Emily Atkinson]

Floral tributes left near scene of accident

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)