Police investigating the fatal crash that left three people dead and two seriously injured have released more details about the night they went missing and the subsequent search for them.
A vigil is planned for Eve Smith, Darcy Ross and Rafel Jeanne who died in the crash and for the two people who remain seriously ill in hospital. You can see a recap of what's known so far in this piece.
Friends Sophie Russon, 20, Eve Smith, 21, and Darcy Ross, 21, who are all from Newport, had been on a night out at the Muffler bar and club in Maesglas, Newport, on Friday evening before they are thought to have headed to Trecco Bay in Porthcawl. They were with Shane Loughlin, 32, and Rafel Jeanne, 24, from Cardiff, and the five were last seen in Cardiff at 2am on Saturday.
Friends and family desperately searched for them over the weekend and just after midnight on Monday, 48 hours after they were last heard from, the car they had been travelling in was found crashed off the A48 near St Mellons, Cardiff. A mum of one of the young women desperately hurt has criticised police for not taking it seriously enough.
On Tuesday afternoon , South Wales Police said that following initial police investigations into the collision, they can confirm that:
- 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 a Volkswagen Tiguan vehicle 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.
A spokesman added that the families of Rafel Jeanne, Darcy Ross and Eve Smith, who died in the collision, continue to be supported by specialist family liaison officers.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hoborough of Gwent Police said: “This is an extremely sad situation, and our thoughts are with the families and friends of each of the young people involved. We will continue to support the investigation and would ask members of the public to refrain from speculation during this period.”
Assistant Chief Constable Jason Davies of South Wales Police said: “Our thoughts continue to be with the families and all those affected by this tragic incident. Specialist officers are carrying out a detailed investigation to piece together what has happened. Family liaison officers are supporting the families involved at what must be a hugely difficult time for them.”
Gwent Police and South Wales Police have referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, as is usual in these circumstances.
Since Monday flowers and tributes have been laid at the roundabout where the car was discovered. A vigil is being planned at the site at 6pm on Tuesday.
Anyone with information has been asked to call police on 101, or send them direct message, quoting 2300071791.
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