Mum says 'my daughter lay in wreckage calling for help' after crash kills 3 pals
A woman who was seriously injured in a car crash lay there calling for help for two days, her mum has said.
Sophie Russon, 20, was semi-conscious in the Volkswagen Tiguan where her two friends lay dead alongside her.
The bank worker suffered a bleed on the brain and fractures to her neck, spine, and face. She remains in a critical condition in hospital, along with 32-year-old Shane Loughlin.
Eve Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21, and Rafel Jeanne, 24, died in the accident, which happened after the car they were travelling in came off the A48(M) in Cardiff and crashed into trees.
Ms Russon's mum, Anna Cerowicz, says she drove past the scene of the wreckage three times while desperately searching for her daughter.
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The three women went missing after a night out in the early hours of SaturdayMs Certowicz claimed she first phoned Gwent Police at noon on Saturday, and made a total of 10 calls that day, but police told her that Ms Russon was "probably out partying".
She said the force only put out its own public appeal the next day, shortly after 11pm on Sunday.
Ms Cerowicz told The Sun: "[Sophie] must have thought she was going to die.
“She was calling out at times but no one could hear her.
Shane Loughlin, 32, remains in a critical condition in hospital (Media Wales)“It would have got light and then dark as night fell on Saturday, then she had to go through that again until she was found.”
South Wales Police (SWP) said on Monday evening that their investigation into the incident is continuing and confirmed the names of the victims.
Both SWP and neighbouring force Gwent Police, who were leading the missing persons investigation prior to the discovery of the car, said they have referred themselves to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) "in line with normal procedure".
Rafel Jeanne, 24, died in the accidentAn IOPC spokesman said: "We can confirm that Gwent Police have advised us that they are making a referral in connection with this tragic incident and we will carry out an assessment in due course to determine what further action may be required from us."
The car was discovered shortly after midnight on Monday in the St Mellons area of the capital, South Wales Police said.
It is understood a helicopter searching for the car found it.
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Officers believe the vehicle was involved in a road traffic collision and came off the A48(M) but it is not clear exactly when that happened.
The scene in the St Mellons area of Cardiff (PA)The road had been closed in both directions, near to the Cardiff Garden Centre, by the police.
Photographs from the scene show large green fencing and tarpaulin has been erected around the crash site, which is among trees.
People have also started arriving to leave floral tributes to those who died.
One wrote: "Fly high. You're in a better place now. This was a last thing we expected. I know you're still partying up there. Have one for me LOL."
A message left with floral tributes left near the scene (PA)Another said: "RIP Darcy."
And second a tribute left by the same person said: "RIP Eve."
Ms Smith's sister paid tribute to her in a post on Facebook, writing: "My beautiful little sister I've cried laughed and fought with you every week, but I've never been without you," she said.
"We always said, 'I got you always' but now I'm sat here feeling so empty because you're not here with me anymore, and I can't accept this.
"I know you're safe up with there with our beautiful sister Xana but I was never ready to let you go, my body is aching without you."
A group of people lay floral tributes left near the scene (PA)A friend of Miss Ross and Miss Smith wrote: "I don't really have the words right now.
"Darcy Ross I'm going to miss you little gypsy girl. You were one of a kind, I'm going to miss trying to 'life coach' you as you would've said. You were a real ray of sunshine especially on my bad days.
"Eve Smith you were truly a beautiful young girl, who's heart was made of gold just like your sister's, give her a big hug for me and hold each other tight until the day we all have our turn and reunite."
A friend of Mr Loughlin posted: "I'm so proud of us all pulling together out there searching for our dear friends last night.
"It's heart breaking what's happened to Rafel Jeanne and those two girls. My body is still shaking and I can't stop being sick the thought of them all there all of that time.
The car was discovered shortly after midnight on Monday (Getty Images)"Many times I have driven past, it just makes me so sad and to how helpless our Shane Loughlin must of felt trapped inside.
"Wish Sophie a speedy recovery and I send all my love and strength to all the families involved."
Speaking at the scene, a friend of the three girls claimed it was members of the public searching who found them and not the police.
Tamzin Samuels, 20, said: "I do think the police could have done a lot more in putting the helicopters out earlier.
"They only posted the appeal an hour before the girls were found. We found them before the police found them - we rang the police.
The vehicle is removed from the scene on the A48 (Getty Images)"The search party found the girls before the police found the girls.
"I think that speaks volumes really, they had all that equipment, and we had cars when we were looking.
"They were really popular girls, the life of the party, and it was really out of character for them to do what they did, which is why we knew something was wrong."
Miss Samuels, a carer from Dyffryn, paid tribute to her friends.
"They were the life of the party. Darcy was known as a wild child, loved life and lived life to the fullest and she didn't care what anyone thought about her. She was great," she said.
"Eve had a smile that could brighten a room as soon as she walked in. A real feisty, independent girl, but everyone loved her just as much.
"I didn't really know the boys and one of our friends who is recovering, we just really hope for her on the road to recovery."
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