North Wales Police find four bodies in search for missing teenagers – live

Snowdonia search underway for four missing teenage boys

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world

Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email

The mother of one of the four teenage boys killed in North Wales has said her "nightmare will never end" as she shared her grief while police continue to investigate. Jevon Hirst, Harvey Owen, Wilf Fitchett and Hugo Morris were feared missing after they were last heard from on Sunday morning following a camping trip[1] to Snowdonia[2] National Park.

A major search operation[3] was launched, but North Wales[4] Police confirmed that the bodies of the teenagers, who had travelled from Shrewsbury, [5]were recovered from the wreck of an overturned car submerged in water[6] on Tuesday. As tributes poured in from across their community in Shropshire, Crystal Owen, the mother of Harvey, said on social media, "I feel like I'm in a nightmare I wish I could wake up from, but I'm not," adding, "Nothing will make this nightmare go away." Supt Owain Llewelyn said the incident "appears to have been a tragic accident", but he said on Wednesday that officers "are continuing to carry out a detailed search of the area" where the silver Ford Fiesta was found, having left the A4085 at the village of Garreg, near Tremadog.

Show latest update 1700585607

'Desperate time'

Supt Owain Llewelyn, of North Wales Police, said: "I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the emergency services and members of the voluntary search agencies and members of the public who have supported us with this search.

"And finally I would ask that the family of these boys are afforded privacy at this desperate time."

(Sky News) Alex Ross21 November 2023 16:53

[7]1700585475

Car discovered on its roof

Supt Owain Llewelyn, of North Wales Police, said: "Police officers attend and located a Ford Fiesta on its roof partially submerged in water. Tragically the bodies of four young males were recovered from within the vehicle

"The families of the missing boys have been informed. "Our thoughts are with them in this desperate time. Whilst the search is concluded there is an ongoign investigation to formally identify those within the vehicle and to understand what has led to this tragic incident."

(PA/North Wales Police)

Alex Ross21 November 2023 16:51

[8]1700584951

Collision investigation

North Wales Police said enquiries were ongoing to establish the circumstances that led to the car leaving the road. The Welsh Ambulance Service was called to the incident near the A4085 between Nantmor and Tan-Lan at 10.08am. Since then, police collision investigators had been seen driving past the road block in Garreg toward the scene of the crash.

Alex Ross21 November 2023 16:42

[9]1700584426

'Tragic accident'

Supt Owain Llewelyn, of North Wales Police, said: "At present, this appears to have been a tragic accident, and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the four young men at this very difficult time. "This has been an extensive search involving a number of different agencies and volunteers, and this is sadly not the outcome that any of us would have wanted. "We would ask that the family be afforded the appropriate privacy and respect."

Investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances, police said. Alex Ross21 November 2023 16:33

[10]1700584390

Four bodies discovered

Four bodies have been recovered from a car which appears to have left the road in Garreg, near Tremadog, said North Wales Police have said. It follows a major search for missing teenagers Jevon Hirst, Harvey Owen, Wilf Henderson and Hugo Morris.

Alex Ross21 November 2023 16:33

[11]1700583095

Road block

Another picture from the scene in Garreg where police have closed the A4085, which heads up to the Pass of Averglaslyn, a local landmark. The four teenagers were last seen in a Ford Fiesta, which has since been found close to the village.

(PA Video/PA Wire) Alex Ross21 November 2023 16:11

[12]1700582882

'Complete shock'

As the hours continue to pass since the teenagers were last seen, we're hearing from reaction from the local community.

Councillor June Jones, who represents the Llanfrothen area on Gwynedd's council Cyngor Gwynedd told the BBC: "It's been a tremendous few hours really... the thoughts of the whole valley are with the families of these young lads." Alex Ross21 November 2023 16:08

[13]1700581264

North Wales Police to make statement at 4.30pm

North Wales Police says a statement will be read to the media by Supt Owain Llewelyn at 4.30pm today at its headquarters in St Asaph. No questions will be taken during the briefing.

Holly Evans21 November 2023 15:41

[14]

References

1. ^ were feared missing after they were last heard from on Sunday morning following a camping trip (www.independent.co.uk)
2. ^ Snowdonia (www.independent.co.uk)
3. ^ major search operation (www.independent.co.uk)
4. ^ North Wales (www.independent.co.uk)
5. ^ teenagers, who had travelled from Shrewsbury, (www.independent.co.uk)
6. ^ were recovered from the wreck of an overturned car submerged in water (www.independent.co.uk)
7. ^ 1700585607 (www.independent.co.uk)
8. ^ 1700585475 (www.independent.co.uk)
9. ^ 1700584951 (www.independent.co.uk)
10. ^ 1700584426 (www.independent.co.uk)
11. ^ 1700584390 (www.independent.co.uk)
12. ^ 1700583095 (www.independent.co.uk)
13. ^ 1700582882 (www.independent.co.uk)
14. ^ 1700581264 (www.independent.co.uk)