Pictured: Talented teenage footballer, 19, left fighting for life after head-on crash with bus that killed three of his friends ‘on way home from funeral’
- Lucas Vaughan was left in a coma after the crash in South Wales last Monday
Published: 16:01, 17 December 2023 | Updated: 16:06, 17 December 2023
A talented teenage footballer is still fighting for his life after he was involved in a horrific crash in Wales which killed three of his friends.
Former Bristol Rovers player Lucas Vaughan, 19, and another teenager who has not been named, remain in intensive care with devastating injuries following the tragedy.
Morgan Smith, 18, Callum Griffiths, 19, and Jesse Owen, 18, died in the head-on crash when the Audi A1 they were in hit a bus on a dark village road in the village of Coedely, Rhondda.
Police are investigating the collision, which happened at around 7pm on Monday, December 11, as the boys drove back from a funeral.
Last week devastated family members heartbreakingly revealed that ‘Christmas[2] is cancelled’ for them after the tragedy just miles from their homes while others paid tribute to those who lost their lives.
Lucas Vaughan is in intensive care after the crash which killed three of his friends last Monday
The talented footballer is believed to have received life-changing injuries in the crash
Floral tributes left to the teenagers at the scene of the crash in the village of Coedely near Tonyrefail
On Sunday friends of Lydney Town star Lucas joined the tributes, describing the teen who is fighting for his life as ‘the most kindest, loving, family-orientated young man who would do anything for anyone’.
A fundraiser to ‘ease the burden’ on his devastated family and help with his future recover has already raised more than GBP5,000.
The page said: ‘Lucas is in intensive care at the Heath Hospital with life changing injuries.
‘When he gets through this he’s going to be in hospital in to the new year at least.’
Lucas joined Lydney Town in Gloucestershire from Bristol Rovers academy and was described as the ‘shining light at our club’.
Bristol Rovers said: ‘Everyone associated with Bristol Rovers Football club are thinking of former academy player Lucas Vaughan and his family, following a serious road traffic accident.
‘We are sending you all love and support as Lucas continues his recovery.’
Lydney Town wrote in their own statement: ‘On the eve of Monday 11th December Lydney Town player Lucas Vaughan was involved in a serious car accident which sadly resulted in three people losing their lives.
‘Lucas sustained life threatening injuries and was taken to Cardiff University Hospital, where he remains in a coma.
‘Since joining us, initially on loan and then permanently since leaving Bristol Rovers in the summer, Lucas, at only 18, has been a shining light at our club, and incredibly talented footballer but more so, a top, top guy with a lovely manner and zest for life.
‘We all pray with everything we have for him and his amazing family at such a difficult time.
‘We thank the Hellenic League and Brimscombe & Thrupp for their understanding in rescheduling the scheduled fixture for the evening of the 12th.
‘We’re all thinking of you, mate.’
South Wales Police is continuing to investigate the crash and inquests are expected to open into the boys’ deaths in the coming days.
Morgan Smith, 18, (pictured) was one of the three teenagers pronounced dead at the scene of the crash
Jesse Owen, 18, (pictured) is understood to have been at a funeral together before they were involved in a horrific head on crash between their car and a bus
Callum Griffiths, 19, was killed when the Audi A1 he was travelling crashed head-on with a bus
Heartbroken family have said ‘Christmas is cancelled’ after the deaths of the three boys on Monday
Floral and written tributes, as well as balloons, have been left at the scene by family, friends and loved ones
On Wednesday, December 13, Morgan’s family, including his parents David and Laura, gathered at the site of the tragedy in the village of Coedely near Tonyrefail, just four miles from their homes in the Tonypandy area of Rhondda.
Speaking at the scene his aunt Amy Smith said: ‘At any time of year it would be be heartbreaking but more at this time of year.
‘We can’t celebrate Christmas this year. But we will be together and will try our best.’
She added: ‘He was a lovely caring boy liked by everybody. He didn’t have a bad word to say about anyone.’
The day before Morgan’s dad Daniel Chalfont described him as ‘my baby boy’ and said he was ‘literally the most perfect son you could ever wish for.’
He later added: ‘Literally lost my son and my best friend all in one.
Never gunna be the same without you my boy. You was so special to so many people.. So proud to have been able to call u my son.’
His mother Laura said: ‘My special precious boy..
You made me a mum!
‘You have been through my life from me being 15yrs old!
You gave me life, hope & taught me everything I needed to grow up in life.. And I thank you so much for that!
Never a day went by where we’d not say love you.. Even right up to 17:17pm yesterday evening we said love you to each other
‘Love you my brown eyed beautiful inside & out amazing SON!
ROCK! CHAMP!
‘Mammy can’t wait to hold you.’
Callum Griffiths (pictured) was described as a ‘previous gift of a son’ by his heartbroken family
The five teenagers, who were school friends and played on the same rugby team, were travelling together in an Audi. Pictured: Morgan Smith
Jesse (pictured) was described as ‘the most loving, happy, kind, calm and beautiful soul’ by his family tonight
In tributes issued through police, Jesse’s family said he had ‘a presence that would light up any room.’
They added: ‘He was loved by all who had the honour of knowing him. He was the most loving, happy kind, calm and beautiful soul.
He would do absolutely anything for anyone. He loved his family and friends and was loyal to the core.
‘Jesse loved his boxing, watches and socialising with friends.
‘He has left a huge void in all of our hearts and our lives will never be the same without him.
‘He will be sorely missed by his parents, grandparents, brothers and extended family.
‘We are all truly heartbroken.’
The family of Callum Griffiths, 19, from Porth, his mum Natalie, dad Lee and Callum’s 15-year-old sister Erin, said: ‘Callum had the most beautiful smile that would light up the room. He was the most precious gift of a son and our love is endless.
‘Our hearts have been broken into a million pieces, broken beyond repair.
He was so loving and had a caring soul. He has left a hole in our hearts that cannot be filled.
‘Callum was a world champion in Kickboxing and achieved numerous Gold medals and has represented Wales in different countries all over the world.
‘Callum qualified as a Barber just over a year ago. He was a passionate, hard-working and a dedicated Barber.
And we are so very proud of him.
We are proud of everything he’s achieved.
‘We love you ‘Champ’.
Pictured: A map of the street where the horror crash occurred last night in south Wales
Morgan (pictured) was also a keen boxer and had won a Welsh youth title, it was revealed
Three teenagers have been confirmed dead and two more are fighting for their lives after a horror’ crash involving a bus and a car in south Wales Pictured: Ely Valley Road, Coedely, Tonyrefail
His sister Erin added: ‘Callum was my best friend and the most selfless person in the world.
I will always love him and am so proud of him.’
A joint statement issued to the broadcaster by the teenager’s former schools said: ‘The school communities of Porth Community School, Tonyrefail Community School and Ysgol Nantgwyn are completely devastated by the news that former pupils were involved in a fatal incident yesterday evening in Coedely.
‘Pupils and staff at from all our schools send their heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the families of the former pupils who have died.’
Morgan’s brother and father shared a police appeal for information about a social media troll taunting the family and called for them to be identified.
South Wales Police said: ‘We have been made aware of a malicious Facebook profile which has been set up, apparently aimed at one of the victims of the fatal road traffic collision.
‘Work is currently ongoing to identify the person responsible, and once identified they will be dealt with in a positive and robust manner.
‘Such behaviour, especially in the wake of such a tragic incident, will not be tolerated.’
‘Users of social media are reminded of the need to post messages responsibly.’