Mum’s tribute to ‘cheeky’ boy found dead with three pals on Wales camping trip

24/11/2023

The mum of a teen who died with three friends in a car crash [1] as they went on a camping trip paid tribute to her “perfect” son tonight. Jevon Hirst, 16, Harvey Owen, 17, Wilf Fitchett, 17, and Hugo Morris, 18, were killed in the horror smash in North Wales on Sunday. The boys, who were all studying A-Levels at the same college, had gone to the picturesque region to camp in Snowdonia.

But the trip turned to tragedy after their silver Ford Fiesta plunged off a windy country road and overturned in a flooded ditch. They were reported missing by their worried families in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, when they failed to return home on Monday. A member of the public spotted their car on Tuesday morning and alerted police, who found the teens dead inside.

Harvey’s mum Crystal Owen paid an emotional tribute to her son in a statement issued through police.

Missing boys who died in Wales car crash were ‘laughing’ in shop hours before tragedy [2]Harvey Owen. pictured, went missing last weekend in Wales (Media Wales)Harvey Owen (pictured), had gone missing 80 miles from home (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

She said: “There are absolutely no words to describe the pain we are feeling at the loss of the most precious soul and no words to really explain how much of a special person Harvey was, but I will try my best. From the moment Harvey was born, he was special, a truly longed for baby who made me feel so complete and a much-wanted sibling for Yasmin.

“The bond between them was something every parent would dream of. He idolised his big sister and spent his whole life looking up to her and copying everything she ever did down to his quirky, sometimes questionable fashion sense and even his feminist views. “Harvey grew up to be family orientated, he had two younger sisters, Sophia and Olivia who he absolutely adored and who idolised him, their big brother.

He was never too old for a hug. I know it sounds like a cliche, but Harvey was a unique and special person who touched so many people along the way.

Wilf Henderson (North Wales Police)Jevon Hirst (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

“Laid back, charismatic, cheeky, a boy not of his time, he always thought outside the box, he was creative and funny. A boy that preferred to be outside and active.

He was the most gentle soul, always feeling empathy for people and seeing the good in everyone. Quirky, a trendsetter, loving, pure and hilarious, he was so dopey at times it was annoying but he was so lovable it was hard to stay mad at him for long. “He was always passionate about his latest craze, whether that be his pets, BMX, his skateboarding or more recently his passion for playing guitar, jazz music, poetry and art.

He loved having jamming sessions with his little sisters, him playing his guitar and them dancing to his music. “Lately he had developed a passion for working with bread and dreamed of one day having his own bread shop and cafe. Everyone has a funny story to tell about Harvey and its these stories that are keeping us going, making us laugh between the tears and will continue to live on.

Hugo Morris was thought to be travelling in a silver Ford fiesta with the boys Hugo Morris (Media Wales)

“There is never a time to lose a child but this feels so much more gut wrenching as he was literally thriving in life and had everything to live for.

Harvey was perfect when he came into the world and he will go out that way. He never caused ill will, he did no harm, he wronged nobody, he was and will forever be a son we can be proud of. The fact that Harvey will always be 17 is unbearable to think of and even harder to accept.

“Please hold your loved ones tight, all the minor things we worry about are irrelevant, life is so short and can be so cruel.

I’ve lost my boy, the boy I absolutely adored, and I can’t accept that I won’t be able to hold him again or tell him I love him again.” North Wales Police [3] are investigating the cause of the crash, which locals said happened in “atrocious” conditions.

Owner of farm where four missing boys died in car crash recalls ‘brutal’ conditions [4]