A man has been arrested at the tragic scene of where three childhood friends were killed in a car crash after he turned up and voiced concerns over the police investigation.
Thomas Taylor, 47 who gave his occupation as a film and TV extra, questioned in an interview why it took so long for officers to find the destroyed vehicle with the young dead and injured passengers still inside.
Police searching for the five missing friends had uncovered their car in the St Mellons area of Cardiff at about midnight on Monday. The group of pals were last seen at about 2am on Saturday morning after a night out, with the search lasting 48 hours, the Mirror reports.
The three deceased victims were named as Rafel Jeanne, 24 from Cardiff 24, Darcy Ross, 21 and Eve Smith, 21 who appeared in a Sky reality TV show after her sister was killed by a drug dealer eight years ago. On Monday, Mr Taylor from Rumney, was arrested in the area where the car was found for prevention of breach of the peace, police said.
It is understood he was arrested after being asked to leave the area. Speaking before he was arrested, Mr Taylor, a film and TV extra, said: “When I heard the reports, I just couldn’t believe it could be possible that a car could come off and no one know they were there. I still don’t understand it.
“It worries me, and I feel for the families because from what I can see from the reports they did have a feeling something was wrong and they were flagging it up. Their instincts were correct.
“I have some fears that perhaps when the reports came they had gone missing people (and) thought, ‘Oh, it’s just a night out’. It’s natural they might have disappeared for a bit, but the families’ instincts are right.”
Sophie Russon, 20 and Shane Loughlin, 32 were the other two victims inside the car and have been rushed to hospital with serious injuries. The group had been pictured together in a Snapchat post on the night out before the tragedy struck.
They are believed to have partied in popular bar Muffler in Newport before going to clubbing hotspot Trecco Bay in Porthcawl. The family of those missing had shared CCTV grabs of the Volkswagen Tiguan they were seen travelling in on the night of the disappearance.
Gwent confirmed that three of those who were reported missing have been found dead. The devastated family of Eve Smith who was one of the victims in the crash have confirmed their tragic loss comes eight years after their other daughter Xana Doyle was killed in a car crash by a driver who was drunk and high on cocaine and cannabis.
TA Gwent Police spokeswoman said: “Three of those who were reported missing have been found deceased, two have been taken to hospital with serious injuries. Specialist officers are supporting the families of those involved and enquiries are ongoing.
“The case has been referred to the IOPC in line with normal procedures.” An IOPC spokesman said: “We can confirm that Gwent Police have advised us that they are making a referral in connection with this tragic incident and we will carry out an assessment in due course to determine what further action may be required from us.”
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