By Emily Caulkett-
Four teenagers lost their lives after their car overturned on a camping trip in north Wales. The victims, Wilf Fitchett (17), Jevon Hirst (16), Harvey Owen (17), and Hugo Morris (18), were found in an overturned and partially submerged car in Gwynedd on November 21.
The tragedy unfolded as the teenagers, hailing from the Shrewsbury area, failed to return home, prompting a search that ended in the discovery of the submerged vehicle.
The inquest, held at Caernarfon, Gwynedd, revealed that Wilf and Harvey had recently turned 17 less than a month before the fatal crash. Post-mortem examinations on all four teenagers indicated drowning as the provisional cause of death.
The teenagers were traveling in a motor vehicle along the A4085 when the vehicle left the road, leading to the tragic incident.
The senior coroner for north-west Wales, Kate Robertson, emphasized that the police investigation is ongoing, and a full inquest will only take place once the investigation is complete. She urged against speculation at this time, emphasizing that compassion is more helpful than media curiosity.
The bodies of the teens were found in an overturned silver Ford Fiesta, partially submerged in water. The car had veered off the A4085 in Garreg, near Tremadog in Gwynedd, about 75 miles (120km) from Shrewsbury. Superintendent Owain Llewellyn of North Wales Police described the crash as a “tragic accident.”
The families of the four boys were not present at the brief inquest hearing. In the wake of this heart-wrenching incident, hundreds of people attended a vigil in Shrewsbury to pay tribute to the young lives lost.
Crystal Owen, Harvey’s mother, shared a poignant tribute to her son, describing him as “a unique and special person who touched so many people along the way.” She expressed the deep pain of losing a child, particularly one who was thriving in life with so much to look forward to.
Maddi Corfield, Wilf’s girlfriend, posted a heartfelt tribute online, expressing her enduring love for him. “I love you so much, I’m going to miss you forever. The sweetest and most loving boy I’ve ever known. I hope you know how much I love you, gorgeous.”
As the community grapples with the loss of these promising young lives, the tragic accident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the need for collective compassion and support during such challenging times.