A moment of silence fell upon the villages of Murton and Bishopston this afternoon (Thursday, June 2), as the community paid their respects to the man and woman who sadly died in a car crash earlier this week. The pair, both aged 19, died after the car they were travelling in crashed into Northway Petrol Station in Bishopston, Swansea at 11.15pm on Tuesday, May 31. Two other passengers, both aged 17, were rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
To help the local community pay their respects to the two individuals who sadly died, Bishopston Community Council and Bishopston councillor, Lyndon Jones arranged for a one minute's silence to take place at Murton Green on Thursday afternoon, ahead of the community's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Local vicar, the Reverend Canon Peter Brooks led the poignant moment and also led the community in prayer for the people that died, as well as all those who have died during the course of the pandemic. There was also a poignant round of applause for the emergency services who attended the incident, and for their work during the pandemic.
Shortly after the minute's silence, Mr Jones, Mr Brooks and members of the community council laid a bright bouquet of flowers at the scene of the crash, beside dozens of other floral tributes. At the site, the group were joined by four friends of the woman who died in the crash and The Reverend Canon Peter Brooks led a prayer for those grieving and all affected by the tragedy.
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Speaking to WalesOnline ahead of the minute's silence, Cllr Lyndon Jones said the incident had "shocked" the local community and shared his condolences to those affected. "Like many local residents, the incident has shocked me too and I await the outcome of the [police] investigation," he said. "My condolences go out to the family and friends of everyone involved in the tragic incident."
A spokesperson for the community council added that anyone who wishes to pay their respects to those who died in the tragedy are invited to leave flowers against the hedge opposite the petrol station, or alongside the bouquets laid at the entrance to the petrol station itself.
The cause of the crash has not yet been established but South Wales Police has today offered a brief update on the nature of one of the passengers' injuries. Alongside the two people who sadly died, two others (a 17 year old boy and a 17 year old girl) were seriously injured in the crash. The 17-year-old girl remains in a "critical condition with life-threatening injuries," officers said..
The update comes a day after South Wales Police issued a statement on the incident. The initial statement said: "South Wales Police is investigating a road traffic collision which occurred at 11.15pm last night at Northway Garage, Bishopston, Swansea. The single vehicle collision involved a red Alfa Romeo Mito containing four occupants.
"A 19 year-old man from Landore and a 19 year-old woman from Blaenymaes were declared deceased at the scene. A 17 year-old girl from Penlan was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries and a 17 year-old boy from Birchgrove was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
"Families are being supported by specially trained officers. The road was closed for a number of hours whilst investigation work was carried out. Anyone who may be able to assist officers in this investigation is asked to contact South Wales Police quoting 2200 182 514."
A statement from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service added: "On Tuesday, 31/05/2022 at 11:15pm, crews from Morriston and Reynoldston attended a road traffic collision, involving one vehicle, at Northway Garage, Bishopston, Swansea.
"Tragically, two people died at the incident. A further two casualties were conveyed to hospital. Firefighters made the scene safe and assisted the Ambulance Service at the scene. The Fire Service left the incident with the Police at 03:06am."
Councillor of Bishopston ward, Lyndon Jones added: "People in the community are very upset about it. Our thoughts are with the families affected, and we hope the two other people in the car fully recover. It's a shocking thing to happen."
The owners of Northway Garage, Jenkins Bros Ltd, later wrote in a post on Facebook: "All the staff at Jenkins Bros Ltd would like to convey their condolences to the friends and families of those involved in the tragic incident that occurred last night at Northway Garage. We wish a speedy recovery to the other injured parties.
"We would also like to thank the Emergency Services and the members of the public who helped at the scene. Thank you to those who have offered their help and kind words to us at Northway Garage. We really appreciate it."
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