Heartbroken parents paid tribute to ‘the most perfect son’, 18, who was one of three teenagers killed days before before Christmas in horror head on crash between a bus and Audi.
Morgan Smith, 18, was one of three pounced dead at the scene of the crash while two others fight for their lives in hospital.
The five teenage mates, who were school friends and played on the same rugby team, were travelling together in an Audi on a night.
The horror crash occurred on Ely Valley Road, Coedely Tonyrefail, at 7pm last night. Two people travelling on the bus were also treated for minor injuries.
Morgan’s father Daniel Chalfont described him as ‘my baby boy’ and said he was ‘literally the most perfect son you could ever wish for.’
He added: ‘Miss you so much already. Don’t know how I’ll live life without you. Literally broken.’
Morgan Smith, 18, was one of the three teenager boys pronounced dead at the scene of the crash
The five teenage mates, who were school friends and played on the same rugby team, were travelling together in an Audi on a night. Pictured: Morgan Smith
Morgan Smith, 18, was a keen boxer and rugby player. His parents described him as the ‘perfect son’
His mother Laura said: ‘Just six hours ago we said our usual love you. This hurts so much.’
Morgan was a keen boxer and had won a Welsh youth title.
The five teenagers were on a night out when they were in a ‘serious collision’ at around 7pm on Monday night.
They had travelled about four miles from their home in the Tonypandy area of Rhondda, South Wales, to the village of Coedely near Tonyrefail, when tragedy struck.
Two others are in hospital with life-threatening injuries while another two had minor injuries in the pile-up with the regular service bus and an Audi A1.
A huge number of emergency services were sent to the former mining village and police urged the public to refrain from ‘speculation and rumour’.
Deputy mayor Dan Owen-Jones was one of the first at the scene – and described it as ‘horrific.’
He said: ‘at times I was numb and helpless to the grieving families.
‘I cannot even describe the pain, shock and suffering I have witnessed tonight* Horrific.’
‘It’s a distressing time for all. At this time of year it’s even worse.
‘Later on there was lots and lots of family and friends. It was very distressing to see the family, but understandable – if it was one of my family I would have wanted to be there.’
Local councillor Danny Grehan said: ‘This is going to hit the area very hard. A shockwave will go through the whole community.’
Pictured: A map of the street where the horror crash occurred last night in south Wales
The road has been closed since 7pm last night while investigations into the collision continue. Pictured: Ely Valley Road, Coedely, Tonyrefail
‘The pain is obviously going to be felt by the families of those who are part of this but also in the whole community and I would like to thank the Coedely community for opening the community centre last night for the emergency services that worked there.’
Police said three men – two aged 18 and one aged 19 – were declared dead at the scene. Two further men, aged 18 and 19, were taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff with life threatening injuries.
Two other people were also treated for minor injuries.
The road has remained closed while investigations into the collision continue.
Superintendent Esyr Jones of South Wales Police 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.’
Anyone who witnessed the collision or the manner in which either vehicle was being driven prior to the collision is asked to contact South Wales Police.
The Welsh Ambulance Service said five people had been taken to hospital and confirmed there had been ‘fatalities’.
The Welsh Ambulance Service said it sent 18 resources to the scene including seven ambulances and three doctors.
Alex Davies-Jones, MP for Pontypridd, said: ‘Utterly devastating news coming from our community this morning. All of my thoughts are with the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy.
‘Thank you to all the emergency services, first responders and members of the public who tried to help last night. Please be aware that the road is still closed whilst the investigation is ongoing. My office is doing all we can to support efforts locally.’
Three teenagers have been confirmed dead and two more are fighting for their lives after a horror’ crash involving a bus and a car in south Wales Pictured: Ely Valley Road, Coedely, Tonyrefail
Three teenagers have been confirmed dead and two more are fighting for their lives after a horror crash involving a bus and a car in south Wales.
Emergency services were called to Ely Valley Road, Coedely Tonyrefail, at 7pm last night and the street remains closed while investigations into the collision continue.
Two 18-year-olds and a 19-year-old were declared dead at the scene with local police saying their thoughts and prayers were with those affected and their families.
Two other teenager boys, aged 18 and 19, were taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff with life threatening injuries.
The collision was said to involve an Audi AI and a bus.