GARREG, a small village near Snowdonia, is in shock, following the harrowing discovery of four teenagers from Shrewsbury, who were found deceased in a tragic car accident.
Jevon Hirst, Harvey Owen, Wilf Henderson, and Hugo Morris, aged between 16 and 18, had embarked on what was meant to be an exciting camping trip.
Local Plaid Cymru Councillor June Jones expressed the community’s grief. “There’s disbelief here. Our thoughts are with the family,” she remarked, having initially hoped the boys had merely been camping out of mobile range. The accident site, located on a winding section of the A4085 between Garreg and Beddgelert, drew a significant emergency response, including air and land ambulances, police cars, and investigation teams.
Despite the sunny conditions on Tuesday, the preceding days had seen grim weather, with high river levels and poor traveling conditions. Ann Hodgkins, living near the accident site, initially assumed the early morning helicopter activity was related to a lost hiker. However, the reality was far more tragic. “It’s so sad. So young,” she lamented, reflecting on the treacherous road conditions that may have led to the accident.
The area, a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts, offers hiking, climbing, and mountain biking opportunities. Cnicht peak, looming over Garreg, adds to the allure, with its striking Matterhorn-like profile. But this allure turned fatal for the four teenagers, whose journey ended in a catastrophic car crash.
The police investigation is ongoing, with no clear timeline yet provided regarding the report of the missing teenagers and subsequent actions taken. The tragic incident draws parallels to a similar catastrophe in Cardiff during the summer, heightening the sense of loss and urgency in understanding such accidents.
The Shrewsbury Colleges Group and the boys’ former school, Meole Brace, have expressed their deepest condolences, highlighting the impact of this tragedy on the educational community. The school has initiated support measures for students and staff affected by the accident.
Local residents, authorities, and politicians, including MP Liz Saville Roberts and Senedd member Mabon ap Gwynfor, have echoed the sentiments of shock and heartbreak, emphasizing the unpredictable and often perilous nature of the region’s terrain and weather.
TRAGIC ACCIDENT
Jevon Hirst, Harvey Owen, Wilf Henderson, and Hugo Morris, all college students aged between 16 and 18 from Shrewsbury, embarked on a journey to Snowdonia over the weekend. Their last confirmed sighting was on Sunday morning, driving a silver Ford Fiesta. Concerns escalated when they did not return home as planned on Monday, prompting their families to alert the authorities.
The unfortunate discovery was made on Tuesday morning, following a tip from a public member. About five miles from their last known location in Porthmadog, the police found the car overturned and partially submerged. Supt Owain Llewellyn of North Wales Police described the incident as a “tragic accident” and extended deep condolences to the bereaved families and friends. The extensive search operation involved various agencies and volunteers, all sharing the profound grief of this unexpected outcome.
The teenagers, one 16-year-old and three aged 17 and 18, traveled to Harlech, Gwynedd, on Saturday, planning to camp in the Snowdonia region on Sunday.
In an emotional tribute on Instagram, Wilf’s girlfriend, Maddi, remembered him as the “sweetest and most loving boy,” expressing her unending love and the void his absence has created in her life.
Harvey Owen’s mother, Crystal Owen, in a statement, revealed their last known phone activity was around midday on Sunday. She expressed her anguish, stating she was unaware of her son’s actual plans, misled by his mention of staying with a friend’s grandfather.
The boys, all A-level students at Shrewsbury Colleges Group, were remembered fondly by their former school, Meole Brace, in Shrewsbury. The school and college extended their deepest condolences and assured support to the affected students and staff.
Tuesday saw a 4-mile stretch of the A4085 between Garreg and Pont Aberglaslyn cordoned off by the police where the car was located. Local residents highlighted the treacherous weather conditions over the weekend, compounded by the road’s steep and narrow nature and scant mobile signal in the area, factors that might have contributed to this tragic incident.
Liz Saville Roberts, the local MP, and Senedd member Mabon ap Gwynfor, in a joint statement, expressed their heartache and solidarity with the families, echoing a sentiment of profound loss that resonates throughout the community.
June Jones, a local councillor, shared with media the initial hope that the boys might have been out of reach due to the lack of mobile signal, a common issue in the area. The reality, however, was far grimmer, with the community now in shock and mourning.
