Police have issued a new statement on their investigation into a crash in Cardiff that left three young people dead and two critically injured. The five were not found until nearly 48 hours after the accident happened.
In a statement issued on March 10, South Wales Police said that their investigations had concluded the crash happened at 2.03am on Saturday, March 4. Officers have used CCTV and number plate recognition to work out the time of the collision. They have also confirmed there is no suggestion any other vehicle was involved.
The car the five had been travelling in was found crashed near the St Mellons area of Cardiff. They were not found until just after midnight on Monday morning, March 6, two days after the accident. Eve Smith, 21, Rafel Jeanne, 24, and Darcy Ross, 21, died in the crash. Sophie Russon and Shane Loughlin were seriously injured and remain in hospital, according to the latest police statement.
South Wales Police said the families of Rafel, Darcy Ross and Eve, continue to be supported by specialist family liaison officers. Post-mortem examinations are ongoing.
A statement added that following "extensive enquiries", which have involved studying CCTV and number plate recognition cameras in the area, the time of the collision has been confirmed as 2.03am on Saturday, March 4. The white Volkswagen Tiguan vehicle left the carriageway into a wooded area.
Detectives investigating the collision are now appealing for anyone who was in the area or who may have been travelling east along the A48 Eastern Avenue between Cardiff and the St Mellons off slip which links to the roundabout of the A48, B4487 and Cypress Drive (near Blooms Garden Centre) who may have dashcam footage from this time to come forward.
They also want to speak to anyone who was travelling in this area and may have seen the Volkswagen Tiguan. The appeal is for witnesses who may have seen the vehicle and there is no suggestion that another vehicle was involved in the collision.
Assistant Chief Constable Jason Davies of South Wales Police said: "The investigation is making good progress in piecing together the events leading up to the collision. Specialist officers will continue to carry out a detailed investigation which will enable us to provide the facts of what happened during the early hours of Saturday morning.
“Our thoughts continue to be with the families and all those affected by this tragic incident. Family liaison officers are supporting the families involved at what must be a hugely difficult time for them.”
If you can help, contact South Wales Police quoting occurrence 2300072969.
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