Coedely bus crash: Deaths confirmed as public urged ‘not to speculate’ about tragedy
An unspecified number of people were killed in a crash involving a bus, a car and reportedly a motorcycle in South Wales yesterday. Five people were taken to hospital following the collision on Elwyn Street in Coedely, Tonyrefail, with the ambulance service confirming there were fatalities. The road, which is close to a caravan park, in Rhondda Cynon Taf has been closed off as South Wales Police[1] officers investigate at the scene.
The area remained cordoned off this morning. Pontypridd MP Alex Davies-Jones wrote on Facebook[2] today, saying: "Utterly devastating news coming from our community this morning. All of my thoughts are with the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy."
The crash happened close to a caravan park (Rob Browne)The police are expected to release further details this morning.
In their most-recent statement at 11.45pm last night, a spokesman said: "Officers currently remain at the scene of a serious collision in Coedely #Tonyrefail involving a bus and a car" Chief Superintendent Steve Jones added: "Please can we ask the public to refrain from speculation and rumour while our officers deal with this serious collision. These are obviously tragic circumstances and we do not wish for speculation online to cause suffer further distress to the families of those involved.
"The road is likely to remain closed through to the morning while officers investigate the collision. Anyone with dash cam footage or who was witness to the collision is asked to contact us quoting reference 2300420639" The Welsh Ambulance Service said the incident happened at around 7pm and involved a head-on collision.
The spokesperson added that four casualties had been taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, and a fifth had been taken to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Talbot Green. The service also indicated that there had been a number of fatalities. Rhondda MS Buffy Williams also wrote on Facebook and said she was "hope and praying that those involved aren't seriously injured".
She added: "I've received a call from South Wales Police to confirm they are currently at the scene of a serious collision in Coedely. There are very many reports on Facebook, some with differing information. Please refrain from adding to the rumours or speculation, a further statement will be made by South Wales Police in due course.
Hoping and praying that those involved aren't seriously injured, and thank you to the emergency services for their response again this evening." Welsh Conservative leader Andrew R T Davies also thanked emergency service workers. He said: "Really concerned to hear about this serious accident in Coedely.
My thoughts are with the whole community, those involved in the incident and our brave emergency services attending to it."
Local councillor Danny Grehan told BBC[3] Wales: 'From what I understand, local people were involved in the horrific accident, and this is going to hit the area very hard'