Cardiff crash – latest: Five ‘lay undiscovered for up to 46 hours’ as family hits out at police search
The three people found dead and two others seriously injured in a car accident in Cardiff are reported to have lain in the wreckage for up to 46 hours before they were discovered.
The group vanished at around 2am on Saturday, and police sources told the Daily Telegraph that a missing person report was first filed with Gwent Police some 19 hours later. The force did not put out their appeal until just after 11pm the following day – with the vehicle found just over an hour later.
Eve Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21 and Rafel Jeanne, 24, died after the Volkswagen Tiguan came off the A48(M) and crashed into trees. Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32, survived but remain in a critical condition, according to police.
Ms Russon’s mother Anna Certowicz, 42, alleged that police told her to “stop ringing” the station for updates, telling the Daily Mail: “They didn’t seem to care. I had to drive to Cardiff to knock on doors myself because they were doing s*d all. They just didn’t seem to think it was worth investigating. It was so frustrating.”
Key Points
Five lay undiscovered in crash 'for up to 46 hours'
Mother of missing woman claims police told her to ‘stop ringing’ station for updates
A48 in south Wales closed in both directions as police cordon crash area
Gwent Police force referred itself to police watchdog over handling of case
Three found dead in search after a night out
Family criticise police search as tributes pour in for three killed in Cardiff crash
03:38 , Maroosha Muzaffar
A mother who spent hours searching for her missing daughter who was involved in a deadly car crash in Cardiff has criticised police after allegedly being told to “stop calling for updates”.
Concerns were raised after three women and two men went missing at the weekend, with family and friends of the group making repeated appeals to locate them.
The women, Sophie Russon, Eve Smith and Darcy Ross, were seen travelling in a Volkswagen Tiguan with two men, Rafel Jeanne and Shane Loughlin. They were last seen at around 2am in Cardiff.
Read the full story here:
Family criticise police search as tributes pour in for three killed in Cardiff crash
Friend pays heartfelt tribute to Darcy Ross and Eve Smith
04:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar
A friend of two Cardiff crash victims paid a heartfelt tribute to the girls on her social media.“I don’t really have the words right now. Darcy Ross I’m going to miss you little gypsy girl. You were one of a kind, I’m going to miss trying to ‘life coach’ you as you would’ve said. You were a real ray of sunshine especially on my bad days.”
Eve Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21, and Rafel Jeanne, 24, died after the Volkswagen Tiguan they were travelling in came off the A48(M) in the Welsh capital and crashed into trees.
Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32, who were in the same vehicle, also suffered serious injuries and were taken to the hospital.
The friend continued: “Eve Smith you were truly a beautiful young girl, who’s heart was made of gold just like your sister’s, give her a big hug for me and hold each other tight until the day we all have our turn and reunite.”
'We found them before the police found them', friend of Cardiff crash victims criticises police
04:13 , Maroosha Muzaffar
A friend of the victims of a fatal car crash in Cardiff has criticised the police search efforts, claiming members of the public found the vehicle before officers.
Eve Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21, and Rafel Jeanne, 24, died after the Volkswagen Tiguan they were travelling in came off the A48(M) in the Welsh capital and crashed into trees.
Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32, who were in the same vehicle, also suffered serious injuries and were taken to the hospital.
Police issued an appeal on Sunday and officers said the crashed vehicle was found in the early hours of Monday morning.
However, a friend of the three women claimed it was members of the public searching who found the car.
One friend, Tamzin Samuels, 20 was quoted as saying by Sky News: “I do think the police could have done a lot more in putting the helicopters out earlier. They only posted the appeal an hour before the girls were found.
“We found them before the police found them - we rang the police.
“The search party found the girls before the police found the girls. I think that speaks volumes really, they had all that equipment, and we had cars when we were looking.”
CCTV shows car carrying missing friends on Cardiff night out before crash killed three
23:36 , Thomas Kingsley
CCTV images of the car carrying a group of friends ahead of a horror crash which killed three have been released.
Sophie Russon, 20, Eve Smith, 21, and Darcy Ross, 21, were last seen in the early hours of Saturday, having partied in the popular bar Muffler in Newport before going on to Trecco Bay in Porthcawl.
The women were later seen travelling in a white Volkswagen Tiguan, as shown in the CCTV images, with two men, Rafel Jeanne, 24, and Shane Loughlin, 32, both from Cardiff, who were also reported as missing.
CCTV shows car carrying missing friends on Cardiff night out before fatal crash
ICYMI: Family criticise police search as tributes pour in for three killed in Cardiff crash
22:44 , Andy Gregory
Prior to Sophie Russon and her friends being located, her mother Anna Certowicz was driving around Gwent and Cardiff in a desperate search for her – claiming Gwent Police told her to stop calling to “stop ringing” the station for updates.
My colleague Thomas Kingsley has the full report:
Family criticise police search as tributes pour in for three killed in Cardiff crash
Social media tributes paid to ‘dear friends’ in Cardiff car crash
22:02 , Andy Gregory
Tributes have been paid on social media to Eve Smith, Darcy Ross, and Rafel Jeanne, who died in the accident, and to Sophie Russon and Shane Loughlin, who were hospitalised with serious injuries.
One relative of Miss Smith wrote: “I will not comment on anyone other than Eve Smith to confirm that she has been confirmed as deceased. Thank you for your support and shares and I won’t be answering messages please allow us some time as a family to digest this terrible news x.”
A friend of Miss Ross and Miss Smith wrote: “I don’t really have the words right now. Darcy Ross I’m going to miss you little gypsy girl. You were one of a kind, I’m going to miss trying to ‘life coach’ you as you would’ve said. You were a real ray of sunshine especially on my bad days.
“Eve Smith you were truly a beautiful young girl, who’s heart was made of gold just like your sister’s, give her a big hug for me and hold each other tight until the day we all have our turn and reunite.”
A friend of Mr Loughlin posted: “I’m so proud of us all pulling together out there searching for our dear friends last night. It’s heart breaking what’s happened to Rafel Jeanne and those two girls. My body is still shaking and I can’t stop being sick the thought of them all there all of that time.
“Many times I have driven past, it just makes me so sad and to how helpless our Shane Loughlin must of felt trapped inside. Wish Sophie a speedy recovery and I send all my love and strength to all the families involved.”
Police watchdog says it will assess if further action is needed over self-referral
20:57 , Andy Gregory
The police watchdog has confirmed that it has received a self-referral from Gwent Police in connection with the fatal Cardiff crash.
A spokesperson for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said: “We can confirm that Gwent Police have advised us that they are making a referral in connection with this tragic incident and we will carry out an assessment in due course to determine what further action may be required from us.”
Both South Wales Police and neighbouring force Gwent Police, who were leading the missing persons investigation prior to the discovery of the car, said they have referred themselves to the IOPC “in line with normal procedure”.
Video report: Wreckage removed from fatal car crash near Cardiff
20:08 , Andy Gregory
Two remain in ‘critical condition’, police say
19:36 , Andy Gregory
Two people remain in a “critical condition” at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, South Wales Police have said in their latest update.
Passengers lay undiscovered in car wreckage for ‘up to 46 hours’
18:54 , Andy Gregory
The three dead and two seriously injured passengers lay undiscovered in car wreckage for as many as 46 hours before they were discovered, according to the Daily Telegraph.
A missing person report was first filed with Gwent Police at around 9pm on Saturday, police sources told the paper, but the force did not put out their appeal until just after 11pm the following day.
The statement had been published for just over an hour before officers found the wreckage of the vehicle in St Mellons.
Police refer themselves to watchdog ‘as is usual in these circumstances'
18:42 , Andy Gregory
South Wales Police and Gwent Police have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, the former has said.
“Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances of the incident, including when the collision took place,” South Wales Police said in an update this evening.
“The five individuals were the subject of enquiries by Gwent Police following a missing person report made during the evening of Saturday 4th March. A subsequent missing person report in respect of one of the individuals was made to South Wales Police on Sunday 5th March. Referrals have been made by Gwent Police and South Wales Police to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.”
The force added that it had done so “to ensure independent oversight”, adding that a self-referral to the police watchdog is standard practice in such circumstances.
Police officially name three women killed in Cardiff crash
18:17 , Andy Gregory
The three people killed in a road accident in Cardiff have been officially named by South Wales Police as Rafel Jeanne, 24, from Cardiff, Eve Smith, 21, from Newport, and Darcy Ross, 21, from Newport.
While the three women had previously been named locally, the force said that their announcement follows formal identification.
Assistant Chief Constable Jason Davies of South Wales Police said: “Our thoughts are with the families of all those affected by this tragic incident. Specialist officers are carrying out an investigation to piece together what has happened.
“Family liaison officers are supporting the families involved at what must be a hugely difficult time for them.”
Friend claims members of public found women before police
17:31 , Andy Gregory
Speaking at the scene, a friend of the three women – who described them as “the life of the party” – claimed it was members of the public searching who found them, and not the police.
Tamzin Samuels, 20, said: “I do think the police could have done a lot more in putting the helicopters out earlier. They only posted the appeal an hour before the girls were found. We found them before the police found them – we rang the police.
“The search party found the girls before the police found the girls. I think that speaks volumes really, they had all that equipment, and we had cars when we were looking.
“They were really popular girls, the life of the party, and it was really out of character for them to do what they did, which is why we knew something was wrong.”
Ms Samuels, a carer from Dyffryn, paid tribute to her friends, who she said “were the life of the party”. Ms Samuels said: “Darcy was known as a wild child, loved life and lived life to the fullest and she didn’t care what anyone thought about her. She was great.
“Eve had a smile that could brighten a room as soon as she walked in. A real feisty, independent girl, but everyone loved her just as much. I didn’t really know the boys and one of our friends who is recovering, we just really hope for her on the road to recovery.”
Floral tributes left near scene of crash
17:01 , Andy Gregory
People have been laying floral tributes near the scene in St Mellons where three people who disappeared on a night out have died in a road traffic accident.
Tributes pour in for three killed in Cardiff crash as police face probe over case
16:05 , Emily Atkinson
Tributes have poured in from family and friends of the three young people killed in a fatal crash after a night out.
The family of Eve Smith confirmed the 21-year-old was one of three who died in the crash.
The relatives and friends of “bubbly and beautiful” Eve Smith today confirmed she has died - in a double tragedy for the family. Her older sibling Lauren Doyle wrote on Facebook: “I will not comment on anyone other than Eve Smith to confirm that she has been confirmed as deceased.”
Thomas Kingsley has more:
Tributes pour in for three killed in Cardiff crash as police face probe over case
CCTV shows car carrying missing friends on Cardiff night out before crash killed three
15:45 , Emily Atkinson
CCTV images of the car carrying a group of friends ahead of a horror crash which killed three have been released.
Sophie Russon, 20, Eve Smith, 21, and Darcy Ross, 21, were last seen in the early hours of Saturday, having partied in the popular bar Muffler in Newport before going on to Trecco Bay in Porthcawl.
The women were later seen travelling in a white Volkswagen Tiguan, as shown in the CCTV images, with two men, Rafel Jeanne, 24, and Shane Loughlin, 32, both from Cardiff, who were also reported as missing.
Thomas Kingsley reports:
CCTV shows car carrying missing friends on Cardiff night out before fatal crash
Friends of Eve Smith lament ‘heartbreaking’ crash
15:36 , Emily Atkinson
Friends of Eve Smith have lamented the “heartbreaking” collision that killed three people and left two others seriously injured.
Friends of Ms Smith, 21, paid tribute on social media after she and four people went missing on a night out in Wales.
Ms Smith’s family said she was among the three who died as they urged to public to “allow us some time as a family to digest this terrible news.”
“Just can’t imagine the grief, thinking of loved ones, this is heartbreaking,” said one Facebook user.
“So sorry for your loss thoughts and prayers are with you all as a family and all the familys of lost young lives,” said another.
A third added: “I’m so sorry. She was stunning inside and out.”
Watch: Wreckage removed from fatal car crash near Cardiff which left three dead and two injured
15:15 , Emily Atkinson
Man arrested at scene of crash for prevention of breach of the peace, police say
14:46 , Emily Atkinson
A man has been arrested at the site of the fatal crash on the A48.
Thomas Taylor, 47, from the Rumney area of Cardiff, was arrested at the scene for prevention of breach of the peace, police said.
It is understood he was arrested after being asked to leave the area.
Speaking before he was arrested, Mr Taylor, a film and TV extra, told the PA news agency: “When I heard the reports, I just couldn’t believe it could be possible that a car could come off and no-one know they were there,” he said.
“I still don’t understand it.
“It worries me, and I feel for the families because from what I can see from the reports they did have a feeling something was wrong and they were flagging it up. Their instincts were correct.
“I have some fears that perhaps when the reports came they had gone missing people thought: ‘Oh, it’s just a night out’.
“It’s natural they might have disappeared for a bit, but the families’ instincts are right.”
ICYMI: Three bodies found after five people went missing on night out in Wales
14:00 , Emily Atkinson
Three bodies have been found by police searching for a group of five people who went missing after a night out in Cardiff.
Two others have been taken to hospital for treatment for serious injuries following a suspected crash, Gwent Police said in a statement on Monday morning.
Over the weekend family and friends called for information on the whereabouts of Sophie Russon, 20, Eve Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21, Rafel Jeanne, 24, and Shane Loughlin, 32.
Matt Mathers reports:
Three bodies found after five people went missing on night out in Wales
Latest images from scene of fatal collision
13:00 , Emily Atkinson
Car discovered by member of public, say reports
12:26 , Emily Atkinson
The car the missing group of five was last seen in was found by a member of the public, the BBC reports.
Three women, Sophie Russon, 20, Eve Smith, 21, and Darcy Ross, 21, had attended The Muffler club in Cardiff late on Friday.
They then travelled 36 miles to Trecco Bay, a caravan park in the seaside resort of Porthcawl, Bridgend county, with two men, Rafel Jeanne, 24, and Shane Loughlin, 32, both from Cardiff, who were also reported as missing.
The group were last seen in Llanedeyrn, Cardiff, in the early hours of Saturday. The time of the collision is yet to be confirmed.
Watch: Police cordon off area after three people found dead in Cardiff following night out
12:00 , Emily Atkinson
Latest from scene of crash
11:20 , Emily Atkinson
The A48(M) has been closed in both directions, near to the Cardiff Garden Centre, by the police.
Photographs from the scene show large green fencing and tarpaulin has been erected around the crash site, which is among trees.
People have also started arriving to leave floral tributes to those who died.
Mother of missing woman claims police told her to ‘stop ringing’ station for updates
10:40 , Emily Atkinson
The mother of one of the women who went missing following a night out in Cardiff claims police told her to “stop ringing” the station for updates.
Sophie Russons’s mother Anna Certowicz, 42, told the Daily Mail that something “must be wrong” after not having heard from her or her friends Eve Smith and Darcy Ross.
Ms Certowicz, 42, said she drove around the Gwent and Cardiff areas last night in a desperate search for her daughter.
She told the Daily Mail: “They didn’t seem to care. I had to drive to Cardiff to knock on doors myself because they were doing s*d all. They just didn’t seem to think it was worth investigating. It was so frustrating.
“I think they assumed that Sophie was hungover somewhere, but she’s a sensible girl who works in a bank and hasn’t taken a day off for three years.
“She’s not someone who’s out clubbing in Cardiff all the time. On Friday nights she’s more likely to be babysitting so other people can go out. She wouldn’t just vanish like this unless something was wrong.
“The police asked me to stop ringing but at the end of the day I’m a mum I’m going to worry. Her little sister is worrying too, she’s only 13 and she’s wondering where Sophie is.”
Watch: Three bodies found and two in hospital after group go missing in Cardiff
10:25 , Emily Atkinson
A48 in south Wales closed after three bodies found in suspected car crash
09:59 , Emily Atkinson
The A48 in south Wales remains closed after police searching for five people missing following a night out found three bodies in a suspected crashed car.
The road, which is a major link between Cardiff and Newport, is closed in both directions for around a mile from the roundabout near Cypress drive to Eastern Avenue, near Cardiff gate, Traffic Wales South said.
The live traffic service tweeted: “The road is closed in both directions due to a serious police incident. The road is likely to remain closed for several hours. Please find an alternate route as there is heavy congestion in the area.”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain reports:
A48 in south Wales closed after three bodies found in suspected car crash
First pictures of five missing people
09:27 , Emily Atkinson
Police watchdog investigating the case
07:54 , Thomas Kingsley
Amid the findings from the search, Gwent Police has been referred to the police watchdog, the IOPC, “in line with normal procedures,” the force said.
Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101, or send a direct message on social media, quoting 2300071791.
Two people remain in hospital following search
07:45 , Thomas Kingsley
The other two missing people have been transported to hospital with serious injuries, Gwent Police told the PA news agency.
All five people, three women and two men, had last been seen in Cardiff in the early hours of Saturday.
The women, Sophie Russon, 20, Eve Smith, 21, and Darcy Ross, 21, were last seen in Cardiff in the early hours of Saturday having travelled there from Porthcawl. They had made the trip in a Volkswagen Tiguan with two men, Rafel Jeanne, 24, and Shane Loughlin, 32, both from Cardiff, who were also reported as missing.
On Monday, a police spokesperson said the VW Tiguan had been recovered just after midnight in the St Mellons area of Cardiff.
Police believe the car was involved in a road traffic collision and came off the A48.
Specialist officers are supporting the families of those involved and inquiries are ongoing.
Three found dead in search after a night out
07:41 , Thomas Kingsley
Three bodies have been found by police searching for a group of five people who went missing after a night out in Wales.
Two others have been taken to hospital for treatment for serious injuries, Gwent Police said in a statement on Monday morning.
Over the weekend officers released an appeal for information on the whereabouts of Sophie Russon, 20, Eve Smith, 21, and Darcy Ross, 21, Rafel Jeanne, 24, and Shane Loughlin, 32.
Officers have found the car they were last seen in, in the St Mellons area of Cardiff.
The VW Tiguan was recovered just after midnight on Monday.
Read the full story below:
Three bodies found after five people went missing on night out in Wales
07:40 , Thomas Kingsley
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the search operations launched after five people went missing in Cardiff after a night out. We’ll bring you all the latest updates after three people were found dead and two remain in hospital
