Cops release timeline and new details of triple-fatal smash after 2-day search

07 March 2023 , 19:46

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Hundreds of tributes left at the site of the crash in St Mellons overnight (Image: John Myers)

Police investigating the fatal crash that left three people dead and two seriously injured have released more details about the night they went missing and the subsequent search for them.

Friends Sophie Russon, 20, Eve Smith, 21, and Darcy Ross, 21, all from Newport, had been on a night out at the Muffler bar and club in Maesglas, Newport, on Friday evening before they are thought to have headed to Trecco Bay in Porthcawl.

They were joined by Shane Loughlin, 32, and Rafel Jeanne, 24, from Cardiff, and the five were last seen in Cardiff at 2am on Saturday.

Tragically Eve, Darcy and Rafel Jeanne all died - while Shane and Sophie became trapped in the wreckage of theVolkswagen Tiguan that came off the A48(M) in Cardiff and crashed into trees in the St Mellons area of the city.

Friends and family desperately searched for them over the weekend and just after midnight on Monday, 48 hours after they were last heard from, the car they had been travelling in was found.

Nicola Bulley's children 'cried their eyes out' after being told 'mummy's lost'

Hundreds of tributes left at the site of the crash in St Mellons overnight (John Myers)

A mum of one of the young women desperately hurt has criticised police for not taking it seriously enough.

Today, South Wales Police said that following initial police investigations into the collision, they can confirm that:

• The last confirmed sighting of the five people was at 2am on Saturday 4 ^th March in Pentwyn.
• The collision occurred during the early hours of Saturday 4 ^th March, the exact time to be confirmed by the investigation, including CCTV and ANPR enquiries.
• The first missing person report was made to Gwent Police at 7.34pm on Saturday 4 ^th March.
• Further missing person reports were made to Gwent Police at 7.43pm and 9.32pm on Saturday 4 ^th March.
• A further missing person report was made to South Wales Police at 5.37pm on Sunday 5 ^th March.
• At 11.50pm on Sunday 5 ^th March the police helicopter was requested to search an area of Cardiff which resulted in a vehicle being located in a wooded area off the A48.
• Gwent Police officers, who were in the area conducting enquiries during Sunday evening, discovered a Volkswagen Tiguan vehicle at 12.15am on Monday 6th March.
• At this stage police believe only one vehicle to be involved.

Family of the missing friends shared this CCTV of the car before it was found close to a busy A-road in South Wales this morning

A spokesman added that the families of Rafel Jeanne, Darcy Ross and Eve Smith, who died in the collision, continue to be supported by specialist family liaison officers.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hoborough of Gwent Police said: “This is an extremely sad situation, and our thoughts are with the families and friends of each of the young people involved. We will continue to support the investigation and would ask members of the public to refrain from speculation during this period.”

Friends Eve Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21, and 20-year-old Sophie Russon had gone on a night out at the Muffler nightclub in Newport

Assistant Chief Constable Jason Davies of South Wales Police said: “Our thoughts continue to be with the families and all those affected by this tragic incident. Specialist officers are carrying out a detailed investigation to piece together what has happened. Family liaison officers are supporting the families involved at what must be a hugely difficult time for them.”

Gwent Police and South Wales Police have referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, as is usual in these circumstances.

Rafel Jeanne, 24, also died in the tragic accident

Since Monday flowers and tributes have been laid at the roundabout where the car was discovered. A vigil is being planned at the site at 6pm on Tuesday.

Anyone with information has been asked to call police on 101, or send them direct message, quoting 2300071791.

Cathy Owen