North Wales crash: Cause of death for four boys found in submerged car revealed after they vanished on camping trip

FOUR boys found dead in a car after they vanished during a camping trip drowned, an inquest heard today. Friends Jevon Hirst, 16, Harvey Owen, 16, Wilf Fitchett, 17, and Hugo Morris, 18, were heading to Snowdonia[1] when the horror unfolded.

Hugo Morris was travelling with his friends to Snowdonia

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Hugo Morris was travelling with his friends to SnowdoniaCredit: North Wales Police/PA WireWilf Fitchett sadly died when the car came off the road

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Wilf Fitchett sadly died when the car came off the roadCredit: North Wales Police/PA WireJevon Hirst and the teens had stopped to buy supplies

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Jevon Hirst and the teens had stopped to buy suppliesCredit: North Wales Police/PA WireTributes have flooded in for Harvey Owen

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Tributes have flooded in for Harvey OwenCredit: North Wales Police/PA Wire

8 Their bodies were found[2] in an overturned, partially submerged Ford Fiesta in Gwynedd, North Wales, on November 21.

An inquest heard today how a provisional cause of death for all four boys was given as drowning. The hearing was adjourned until a police investigation into the tragedy is complete. Kate Robertson, senior coroner for North West Wales said: “A police investigation is ongoing.

Only when it’s complete will a full inquest take place. “At this time, speculation is unhelpful and compassion will achieve more than media curiosity. “I offer the families of Wilf, Jevon, Hugo and Harvey my sincerest condolences.”

A huge search was launched for the boys when they failed to return home to Shropshire from the overnight trip. Witnesses saw the pals “laughing and joking”[3] as they bought supplies for the camping expedition from a shop in Harlech.

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They were then captured on CCTV in the Ford on their way to the mountains. Tragically, the car left the A4085 at Garreg, near Tremadog, on on November 21 – a day after they were reported missing. Supt Owain Llewellyn, of North Wales Police, previously said the crash appeared to have been “a tragic accident”.

Tributes have flooded in for the boys, with vigils held in Shrewsbury[4] to remember the foursome. Harvey’s mum Crystal Owen[5] described him as “a unique and special person who touched so many people along the way”. She said: “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.”

While Wilf’s girlfriend, Maddi Corfield, posted a tribute online, writing: “I love you so much, I’m going to miss you forever.

“The sweetest and most loving boy I’ve ever known.

I hope you know how much I love you, gorgeous.”

The boys were seen on CCTV as they made their way up to the mountains

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The boys were seen on CCTV as they made their way up to the mountainsCredit: Dan Jones ImagesTributes have flooded in for the friends

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Tributes have flooded in for the friendsCredit: PA

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References

  1. ^ Snowdonia (www.thesun.ie)
  2. ^ bodies were found (www.thesun.ie)
  3. ^ “laughing and joking” (www.thesun.ie)
  4. ^ Shrewsbury (www.thesun.ie)
  5. ^ Crystal Owen (www.thesun.ie)