School friends killed in camping tragedy were known as 'The Four Musketeers'

22 November 2023 , 20:54

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Flowers and tributes were left at Shrewsbury College on Wednesday (Image: Joseph Walshe / SWNS)

Floral tributes have flooded the steps of a college attended by four teenage boys who died in a tragic car crash while on a camping trip.

Lines of flowers and chalk messages covered the entrance to Shrewsbury College on Wednesday, while a Christmas lights switch-on in the town was cancelled as a mark of respect. Jevon Hirst, 16, Harvey Owen, 17, Wilf Henderson, 17 and Hugo Morris, 18, were found dead in a car after travelling to North Wales at the weekend.

The friends had planned to camp in Eyri (Snowdonia) national park on Sunday, before returning home on Monday morning.

Chalk messages covered the steps of the college (Joseph Walshe / SWNS)

Their bodies were found inside a Ford Fiesta which was upside down and submerged in water on Tuesday, near the village of Garreg. Heartbroken friends of the boys from the college have told of the shock felt by pupils and teachers on Wednesday as they came to terms with the news. Classmate Molly Clarkson shared that she knew all the boys, and had first met Jevon at primary school. She said: "Wilf sits in my English class and today the teacher was crying. There is an undisputed sadness. They were all best friends."

One card on a floral tribute said: “The Four Musketeers. How much we will miss you all.” Another card simply read: “We love you all. Fly with the angels you beautiful boys.” One student wrote a letter to leave on the steps, which said: “I did not know you for long Jev, but I know that you were loved and cared for by the people around you. That love and care was a reflection of the local and care you showed to others. May you rest in peace and be remembered with kindness and love. Rest in peace Jev, it was a pleasure to meet you.”

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Shrewsbury Abbey is also open for students and members of the public to pay tribute (Joseph Walshe / SWNS)

Shrewsbury Abbey was also opened for students to light candles in front of the altar. Church administrator Steve Swindon said: "What they are experiencing is hard to contemplate. It doesn't matter if you have a faith, it is about humanity. We are here for everybody. Shrewsbury is a strong community."

Jevon Hirst, Harvey Owen, Wilf Henderson, Hugo Morris (Media Wales)

Local vicar Reverend Charlotte Gompertz said the tragic news had been "utterly devastating" to the whole community, adding: "It's impacting everyone, this is a tight-knit community where many of the young people have been at school together since they were four years old. It is going to take a long time for us to get our heads even vaguely around this tragedy."

Emotional letters left by pupils following the deaths of Jevon Hirst, 16, Harvey Owen, 17, Wilf Fitchett, 17 and Hugo Morris, 18, (Joseph Walshe / SWNS)

Shrewsbury's planned Christmas lights switch on and late night shopping have been postponed following the tragedy. Resident Arthur Reece, 50, said: "I think it is fair to say that Christmas will be cancelled for lots of people in the town this year. We are a close-knit community and are grieving hard with those poor families who have lost their sons."

Superintendent Stu Bill, of West Mercia Police, said: “Our thoughts and condolences are with the families, friends and loved ones of the four teenagers who sadly died. We know many people in Shrewsbury will be affected by their deaths and will continue to support the local community. North Wales Police’s investigation to establish the circumstances that led to the car leaving the road continues and we have family liaison officers working with our colleagues at North Wales Police to support the families of the boys who died.”

Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas