25 November 2023 , 18:33
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The grieving mother of one of the four teenagers killed in a car crash during a camping trip laid a single white rose in his memory at a candlelit shrine to the tragic friends.
Jevon Hirst’s mum Melanie placed the tribute at the altar of Shrewsbury Abbey on Friday night, before reading hundreds of moving messages written for the 16-year-old and pals Wilf Fitchett and Harvey Owen, both 17, and Hugo Morris, 18. They died during a camping trip to Snowdonia when their car left the road and ended up in a ditch beside the A4085 near the village of Garreg, North Wales.
Parish administrator Steve Swinden, 60, said: “Jevon’s parents came last night and his mother laid a single rose. We’ve left it where she put it down. It means a lot.”
Jevon Hirst, Harvey Owen, Wilf Henderson, Hugo Morris (PA)Melanie visited hours after a college friend of her son called Isaac posted a heartrending tribute on Instagram, telling his music-loving pal he hopes he is “jamming” in heaven. Isaac wrote: “To one of the most pure souls I’ve ever met in my life – you brought a smile to my face every time I’d see you and I’ll never forget the last time I saw you.
“I love you so much man. I hope your family are OK and you’re resting peacefully. I know you’re looking down on us all and jamming up there – I know we will meet again.”
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The abbey, next to the college campus in the Shropshire town where all four teens were students, has been a focal point for the community since North Wales Police confirmed their crashed Ford Fiesta was found overturned and partially submerged on Tuesday.
The rose placed by Jevon's mum Melanie (Patrick Hill)Pictures of Jevon, Harvey, Wilf and Hugo have been placed alongside candles and books of remembrance. Mr Swinden added: “We’ve had hundreds of students since Wednesday. It’s been a very moving experience. On Wednesday we had 600 candles lit. There were 400 on Thursday and the same on Friday.
“We’ll keep it as long as people want to come. Contemporaries of the boys have been coming out in great numbers and many have written messages.
“This is a very close community and they look out for each other. I can only hope it helps the families. I can’t imagine what is going through their minds.” Mourners are expected to gather in Shrewsbury town centre on Sunday night for a candlelit vigil.