Four bodies found in submerged car after teens out camping go missing - updates

Recap of today's events

That is all for the live coverage tonight. Here is a recap of today's events:

Four bodies were found in the overturned and partially submerged Ford Fiesta car in a river in the village of Garreg, Gwynedd.

The discovery was made by police teams looking for missing sixth form students Jevon Hirst, Harvey Owen, Wilf Fitchett and Hugo Morris - though formal identification is yet to be made.

North Wales Police had been informed by a member of the public, who spotted the car around 10am on Tuesday.

The force described the incident as what "appears to have been a tragic accident" - though an inquiry has been launched to understand the circumstances.

The teenagers had been planning to camp overnight in Eryri, also known as Snowdonia, on Sunday. They had arrived in Harlech at 11pm on Saturday and stayed the night after leaving their homes in Shrewsbury.

Commissioners pass condolences to families

Two police and crime commissioners have passed on their condolences to the families of the four teenagers.

North Wales Police's Andy Dunbobbin said: "Terribly sad news. My immediate thoughts are with the teenage boys' families."

His counterpart in West Mercia, John Campion, also said on X: "It is deeply upsetting to hear of the tragic news being shared by North Wales Police today.

Mum appeared 'completely normal' moments before vanishing while walking dog

"My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and community members in Shrewsbury affected by this heartbreaking news."

Touching tributes to tragic camping trip teenagers found dead in car after crash

From 'one in a million' to the "sweetest and most loving boy", tributes have poured in for the four friends who died in a camping trip tragedy.

Jevon Hirst, Wilf Fitchett, Harvey Owen and Hugo Morris were discovered in the overturned Ford Fiesta they were travelling in in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park in Wales. The four, who were students at Shrewsbury College in Shropshire, were reported missing on Sunday morning before police confirmed the tragic news on Tuesday afternoon.

Loved ones have now been sharing their grief-stricken words for the four, who were aged between 16 and 18 and were studying for their A levels at the time. Wilf Fitchett was described as "one in a million" by a friend who said "can't believe you're gone".

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'I was hoping that they'd gone out camping wild and had no mobile signal'

June Jones, who represents the Llanfrothen area on Gwynedd's council - Cyngor Gwynedd, told Sky News: "I was hoping that they'd gone out camping wild and had no mobile signal.

"I was hoping very much that that is the reason why they haven't been in contact - there's not much mobile signal in this area and perhaps that is why."

She said the "whole area is in complete shock" and "everybody's feelings are very much with the families at this time".

"It has been extremely wet and the rivers have been extremely high over the last few days. Obviously, it is November, the weather is bad. It is bad weather to be travelling in, especially with somebody who doesn't know the roads very well," she said.

Girlfriend's heartbreaking message to 'gorgeous' teen found dead with three friends

The girlfriend of one of the teens who died in a crash along with three pals during a camping trip has paid a heartbreaking tribute.

A massive hunt was launched for Wilf Fitchett, 18, Jevon Hirst, 16, Harvey Owen, 17, and Hugo Morris, 18, after they failed to return home from an overnight trip to the Snowdonia area. North Wales Police said this afternoon their bodies were recovered from a silver Ford Fiesta which appeared to have left the road on the A4085 at Garreg, near Tremadog.

Wilf's partner Maddi wrote: "I love you so much baby. I'm going to miss you forever." She went on to say that her boyfriend was the "sweetest and most loving boy I've ever known", adding: "I hope you know how much I love you gorgeous."

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Wilf Fitchett (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

Friend's tribute to 'one in a million mate' found dead with four pals on camping trip

A friend of one of the four teenagers who died after a car accident in Snowdonia National Park has paid tribute, describing him as "one in a million".

Friends and loved ones have been sharing their grief at the news of four bodies being discovered in the search for Jevon Hirst, Harvey Owen, Wilf Fitchett and Hugo Morris from Shrewsbury, Shropshire. The four friends, aged between 16 and 17, had been on a camping trip in North Wales but were reported missing on Sunday.

North Wales Police confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that four bodies had been discovered in a silver Ford Fiesta, which was found overturned and partially submerged in a river near the village of Garreg.

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Mum of teen found dead with three friends 'didn't know he was going on camping trip'

The mum of a teenage boy whose body was found after the car he was travelling in crashed said she did not know he was on a camping trip.

Harvey Owen, 17, was one of four friends aged 16 to 18 who died after their Ford Fiesta toppled onto its roof and became partially submerged in water while driving in North Wales.

Crystal Owen, Harvey's mother, said she did not know the teenagers were going on a camping trip and thought they were going to stay at a friend's grandfather's house.

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Teens were planning to camp out again on Sunday

The four teenagers were planning to camp in the Eryri area - also known as Snowdonia - on Sunday - when they crashed, police believe.

Supt Owain Llewellyn from North Wales Police says the force understands the group travelled to Harlech, Gwynedd, on Saturday.

That's about 8 miles (13km) from where the police found the car.

A large crane arrives at the village of Garreg, Snowdonia (Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)

Church offering prayer space on Wednesday morning

Trinity Churches Shrewsbury says it will be offering "time and space to pray" in the The Trinity Centre, on Church Road, Meole Brace from 9am tomorrow (Wednesday).

"Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends, and the wider community at such a sad time," it says on Facebook.

Additional times for prayer will be arranged, it adds.

Every word police said in major update over tragic death of four missing teenagers

Four bodies have been discovered in the hunt for four teenagers reported missing in Snowdonia, police have tragically confirmed.

Jevon Hirst, Harvey Owen, Hugo Morris and Wilf Fitchett were reported missing on Sunday morning after it was discovered they had gone camping in Eyryi National Park in North Wales.

The four, aged between 16 and 17, hadn't been seen for more than two days when police released the desperately sad update on Tuesday afternoon.

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Superintendent Owain Llewelyn at North Wales Police HQ (PA)

'No words can sufficiently reflect the sorrow that this news brings to our whole community'

Dwyfor Meirionnydd Member of Parliament, Liz Saville Roberts and Senedd Member, Mabon ap Gwynfor, have issued a statement following the tragic discovery Snowdonia.

They said: "This news is truly heart-breaking and foremost as parents, our thoughts go out to the families and friends of the four young men whose lives have been tragically lost in this dreadful incident.

"We would like to pay tribute to the emergency services and local mountain rescue teams involved in the search operation and to members of the public for their assistance in helping to locate the vehicle.

"No words can sufficiently reflect the sorrow that this news brings to our whole community."

Car was found on roof and 'partially submerged in water'

Supt Owain Llewelyn has confirmed the car was found on its roof, "partially submerged in water".

He added that formal identification has not yet taken place.

Speaking to the press this afternoon, he said: "Officers attended and located a Ford Fiesta vehicle on its roof, partially submerged in water.

"Tragically, the bodies of four young males were recovered from within the vehicle. The families of the missing boys have been informed. Our thoughts are with them at this desperate time.

"Whilst the search is concluded, there's an ongoing investigation to formally identify those within the vehicle and to understand what's led to this tragic incident."

Four bodies recovered from car, police confirm

Four bodies have been recovered from a car which appears to have left the road on the A4085 at Garreg, near Tremadog, following a search for missing teenagers Jevon Hirst, Harvey Owen, Wilf Fitchett and Hugo Morris.

Supt Owain Llewelyn, of North Wales Police, said: "At present, this appears to have been a tragic accident, and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the four young men at this very difficult time.

"This has been an extensive search involving a number of different agencies and volunteers, and this is sadly not the outcome that any of us would have wanted.

"We would ask that the family be afforded the appropriate privacy and respect."

Investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances, police said.

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Police to hold press conference

Police are set to hold a press conference at 4.30pm after a car was found in the search for the missing teenagers.

North Wales Police says a statement will be read to the media by Supt Owain Llewelyn at its headquarters in St Asaph.

But no questions will be taken today, it says.

School where teens were former students says it is 'fully supportive' of emergency services

Meole Brace School in Shrewsbury, where all four teenagers previously attended, says it is "fully supportive" of emergency service efforts to find the boys.

"Jev, Harvey and Wilf left us last year at the end of Year 11, and Hugo the year before. All four boys were well-thought [of] and well-known by the school community," its head teacher Alan Doust says in a statement.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families for their safe return."

Meanwhile, Shrewsbury College has confirmed all four boys are students there, studying for their A-levels.

"The college’s immediate thoughts are with the family and friends of the teenagers missing.

"This is a very worrying time, and we all want them to be found safe and well," it says.

Police activity between the village of Garreg and Nantmor (Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)

Hotel manager got message from handyman about 'terrible accident'

Manasa Boma, 30, is the manager at The Goat Hotel in Beddgelert, a short distance from the scene of the as yet unconfirmed crash scene.

She said: "We’re closed for the winter but our handyman messaged me to say there had been a terrible accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who’s involved."

Police activity in the village of Garreg, Snowdonia (Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)

Flashing emergency lights could be seen up the valley

This afternoon, flashing emergency lights could be seen up the valley from the roadblock just between Garreg and Nantmor.

They appeared to be attending a spot where the road passes between the river Afon Croesor, swollen by recent heavy rain, and a large 80m rocky outcrop.

It is a beautiful area popular with hikers, who today were stopping officers to ask how they could continue their walks.

The road that is closed, the A4085, winds its way up to the Pass of Aberglaslyn, a narrow gorge and local landmark.

Retired headteacher Ann Hodgkin, from Nantmor, said she had been woken at 5am by the sound of a helicopter circling overhead.

She said: “I heard the helicopter going round and round at 5am this morning. I couldn’t get back to sleep and so I got up and put on the radio.

“I heard about the four missing boys and I thought ‘oh, no’. The police won’t tell me anything but they say I can go back to my home.”

(Daily Post Wales)

Everything we know so far

Police searching for four young men who went missing after going camping in North Wales have found their car as search efforts have ramped up.

The alarm was raised when sixth form students Jevon Hirst, Harvey Owen, Wilf Fitchett and Hugo Morris didn't return home from what is understood to be a camping trip in north-west Wales. The young men, from Shrewsbury, Shropshire, were due home on Monday morning but none of them have made contact with friends or family. The group were thought to have been travelling in the Harlech and Porthmadog areas of Gwynedd in a silver Ford Fiesta, registration HY14 GVO, North Wales Police said.

Forensic vans on the scene

Forensic vans have been pictured in the village of Garreg, Snowdonia near where the police have discovered the vehicle used by four teenagers who went missing on Sunday.

Forensic Collision Investigation unit car going past the cordon in Wales (Rowan Griffiths \n)

‘Phone signal can be very patchy' in the area

A local man who runs Walk Snowdonia, a company that offers hiking experiences to people in the region, has shared some insights on conditions that could be affecting the boy's plight and the ongoing search.

He told the Independent that people should take with them camping gear with a good sleeping bag and a roll mattress to keep them off the floor.

He added: "Phone signal can be very patchy. You obviously try not to let it happen [getting lost] in the first place, but if you do get lost then go back to the last known location, try not to panic and try to call out for help, and then try to figure out where you are."

'Atrocious' weather condition on Sunday

A resident who lives nearby to the police cordon in north Wales has said that the weather conditions on Sunday were "atrocious".

Emyr Owen told the BBC: "I was woken about 5am by the sound of the helicopter above, so I got up to look through the window.

"The policeman told us all he'd had the orders to close the road - you can't go through there towards Beddgelert. It was atrocious weather on Sunday. I don't know what happened to four young men in the car, hopefully nothing bad."

(Daily Post Wales)

The four missing teens pictured

Jevon Hirst, Harvey Owen, Wilf Fitchett and Hugo Morris have all gone missing from an area near Porthmadog in North Wales.

The four friends were last seen on Sunday morning when they were due to return home aid the mum of one of the missing teens' girlfriend.

(North Wales Police)

Lisa Corfield, whose daughter Maddi is Wilf's girlfriend, told the Shropshire Star: "They all went to North Wales camping on Saturday night and they were due home on Sunday morning but they never returned.

"Everybody is sick with worry and have not heard anything from them, which is very unusual for them. They have been trying their phones which must be either off or with no battery.

"If anyone knows the tiniest thing, they should contact police, any information at all please pass it on to North Wales Police, we will all be really grateful."

Ambulances sent out this morning to reports of an incident

The Welsh Ambulance Service said it was called out this morning following reports of an incident near the A4085 between Nantmor and Tan-Lan.

It stated told North Wales Live: "We were called today (November 21), at approximately 10.08am, to reports of an incident near the A4085 between Nantmor and Tan-Lan.

"We sent an operations manager, two emergency ambulances and two Cymru High Acuity Response Units to the scene where we were supported by the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service in two Wales Air Ambulance charity helicopters.”

Air ambulance 'landed a few miles from road cordon'

An air ambulance is believed to have landed a few miles from a police cordon that has been set up in a village near Porthmadog.

Police say they are at the scene currently and they are keeping the families of all of the four teenagers who’ve been reported missing informed of developments.

According to the BBC, the air ambulance landed only a few miles from the cordon that has been put in place between Garreg and Port Aberglaslyn.

Police cordon is in place near village of Garreg

A police cordon has been set up near the village of Garreg.

Following the police announcing that the silver Ford Fiesta had been found, the cordon has now been set up on the A4085, about three miles from Penrhyndeudraeth, near Porthmadog.

The air ambulance is believed to have landed a few miles from the cordon. The road has been closed between Garreg and Port Aberglaslyn.

Car found after tip off from the public

North Wales Police say that the car was found following a tip off from the public.

"Police officers and colleagues from other emergency services are currently at the location and the families of those involved have been kept updated," say the police in a statement.

The silver Ford Fiesta has been located with the four teens going missing on Sunday morning.

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Missing car found

The car belonging to the four missing teens has now been found.

A silver Ford Fiesta which the group from Shrewsbury were travelling has been located, police have said.

( David Powell)

Wet, windy and cloudy conditions for search teams in Snowdonia

Coastguard helicopter confirms 'no sighting'

A coastguard helicopter carried out a search of the Porthmadog area in the early hours of the morning but were unable to locate the four missing teens.

A statement from the coastguard said a team responded to a request for assistance from North Wales Police with the search carried out just before 3am this morning.

It stated: "The Coastguard helicopter from Caernarfon was sent and completed an extensive search of an area, before returning to base with nothing found."

Teens 'were due home on Sunday morning but they never returned'

The mum of one of the missing teens' girlfriend said that they should have returned home on Sunday morning.

Lisa Corfield, whose daughter Maddi is Wilf's girlfriend, told the Shropshire Star: "They all went to North Wales camping on Saturday night and they were due home on Sunday morning but they never returned.

"Everybody is sick with worry and have not heard anything from them, which is very unusual for them. They have been trying their phones which must be either off or with no battery.

"If anyone knows the tiniest thing, they should contact police, any information at all please pass it on to North Wales Police, we will all be really grateful."