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
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.
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:
Family criticise police search as tributes pour in for three killed in Cardiff crash
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:
All we know about friends’ night out that ended in fatal Cardiff crash
Watch | Fireworks light up sky as vigil held for Cardiff car crash victims
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 4th March in Pentwyn.
- The collision occurred during the early hours of Saturday 4th 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 4th March.
- Further missing person reports were made to Gwent Police at 7.43pm and 9.32pm on Saturday 4th March.
- A further missing person report was made to South Wales Police at 5.37pm on Sunday 5th March.
- At 11.50pm on Sunday 5th 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.
Map showing the route taken by the group on the night of the crash
Floral tributes left near scene of crash in St Mellons
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:
Family criticise police search as tributes pour in for three killed in Cardiff crash
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.
“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.”
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