Three former schoolfriends and rugby team mates who were killed in a horrific head-on crash had been at a funeral together earlier that day, it has been reported.
Morgan Smith, 18, died along with Callum Griffiths, 19, and Jesse Owen, 18, when their Audi A1 car crashed with a bus on a winding 20mph road through a Welsh village in the dark and wet.
Two other young men were travelling in the car were left with life-threatening injuries following Monday’s tragic accident. The group were understood to have been on a night out at the time.
Last night tributes flooded in from the boy’s heartbroken families who said they have been left with a ‘huge void in all our hearts’.
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’.
Callum Griffiths, 19, was killed when the Audi A1 he was travelling crashed head-on with a bus
Jesse Owen, 18, (pictured) is understood to have been at a funeral together before they were involved in a horrific head on crash between their car and a bus
Morgan Smith, 18, (pictured) was one of the three teenagers pronounced dead at the scene of the crash
In a tribute, he added: ‘Miss you so much already. Don’t know how I’ll live life without you. (I’m) literally broken.’
His mother Laura said: ‘Just six hours ago we said our usual love you. This hurts so much.’ Morgan was also a keen boxer and had won a Welsh youth title, it was revealed.
In an official statement released later by the family, they said: ‘Morgan is a popular boy, he is a well-loved son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin.
‘We as a family are devastated by the loss of Morgan, we have been left with a void that can never be filled We love you our boy.’
Jesse was described as ‘the most loving, happy, kind, calm and beautiful soul’ by his family tonight.
In a heartbreaking statement they said: ‘Jesse had a presence that would light up any room. He was loved by all who had the honour of knowing him.
‘He would do absolutely anything for anyone. He loved his family and friends and was loyal to the core.’
Callum’s family said his death had ‘left a hole in our hearts that cannot be filled’.
‘Callum had the most beautiful smile that would light up the room. He was the most precious gift of a son and our love is endless,’ his mother Natalie, father Lee and 15-year-old sister Erin said in a statement.
Pictured: A map of the street where the horror crash occurred last night in south Wales
The five teenagers, who were school friends and played on the same rugby team, were travelling together in an Audi. Pictured: Morgan Smith
Jesse (pictured) was described as ‘the most loving, happy, kind, calm and beautiful soul’ by his family tonight
Morgan (pictured) was also a keen boxer and had won a Welsh youth title, it was revealed
‘Our hearts have been broken into a million pieces, broken beyond repair. He was so loving and had a caring soul.’
His younger sister added: ‘Callum was my best friend and the most selfless person in the world. I will always love him and am so proud of him.’
The BBC last night reported that the three boys had been at a funeral together prior to the fatal collision.
A joint statement issued to the broadcaster by the teenager’s former schools said: ‘The school communities of Porth Community School, Tonyrefail Community School and Ysgol Nantgwyn are completely devastated by the news that former pupils were involved in a fatal incident yesterday evening in Coedely.
‘Pupils and staff at from all our schools send their heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the families of the former pupils who have died.’
Alex Davies-Jones, Labour 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.’
The teenagers – believed to have played together in the same youth rugby team from the age of ten – were travelling for a night out when the ‘serious collision’ happened at around 7pm on Monday.
The group are understood to have driven four miles from their homes in the Tonypandy area of Rhondda, South Wales, to the village of Coedely, near Tonyrefail, when tragedy struck.
Naming the three victims, police said Jesse and Morgan were from Tonypandy and Callum was from nearby Porth, Rhondda.
Emergency services were sent to the former mining village and police urged the public to refrain from ‘speculation and rumour’.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council deputy mayor Dan Owen-Jones – one of the first at the scene – described it as ‘horrific’.
The road has been closed since 7pm last night while investigations into the collision continue. Pictured: Ely Valley Road, Coedely, Tonyrefail
Mr Owen-Jones, a Labour councillor representing Tonyrefail, said: ‘At times I was numb and helpless to the grieving families.
‘I cannot even describe the pain, shock and suffering I have witnessed… horrific.
‘It’s a distressing time for all. At this time of year, it’s even worse.’
Another local councillor Danny Grehan said: ‘This is going to hit the area very hard. A shockwave will go through the whole community.
‘The pain is obviously going to be felt by the families of those who are part of this but also in the whole community.’
South Wales Police said the two young men who survived the crash, aged 18 and 19, were taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff with life-threatening injuries.
Two other people, thought to have been on the bus, were also treated for minor injuries.
The road remained closed yesterday while investigations into the collision continued.
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.’
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
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.