Three teenagers have died following a crash between a bus and a car in South Wales, police have said.
Callum Griffiths, 19, from Porth and 18-year-olds Jesse Owen and Morgan Smith, both from Tonypandy, were killed after the bus and an Audi A1 collided in Coedely, a small village about 20 miles northwest of Cardiff.
South Wales Police said the crash happened at around 7pm on Elwyn Street on Monday night. All three of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Two other men, aged 18 and 19, were taken to University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, with life-threatening injuries. Two others people were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Have you been affected by this incident? Email matt.mathers@independent.co.uk
The road was closed following the crash and remained shut at 10am on Tuesday morning as police carried out their inquiries.
Morgan Smith’s father Daniel Chalfont said on Facebook: "My baby boy...literally the most perfect son you could ever wish for.
"Miss you so much already. Don’t know how I’ll live life without you. Literally broken."
Esyr Jones, South Wales Police superintendent, said: “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragic incident.
“Trained family liaison officers are supporting the families at what must be an extremely difficult time for them.”
Witnesses have been asked to contact South Wales Police quoting reference 2300420639.
Alex Davies-Jones, the Labour MP for Pontypridd, said the crash was “devastating news” and that her office was doing everything it could to support those affected.
“All my thoughts are with the families & loved ones affected by this,” she said. “Thank you to all who tried to help last night.”
Welsh Conservative leader Andrew R T Davies also thanked emergency service workers for their efforts.
He said: “Really concerned to hear about this serious accident in Coedely.
“My thoughts are with the whole community, those involved in the incident and our brave emergency services attending to it."
Local councillor Danny Grehan told BBC Wales: “From what I understand, local people were involved in the horrific accident, and this is going to hit the area very hard”.
