Cardiff car crash – latest news: Police hit back at claims over missing search

Police involved in the search for victims of the fatal Cardiff car crash have hit back claims that members of the public, not officers, discovered the wreckage.

Eve Smith (21), Darcy Ross (21) and Rafel Jeanne (24) died after a Volkswagen Tiguan swerved off the A48(M) and crashed into trees. Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32, remain in critical condition.

The three found dead and two others seriously injured are said to have lain in the rubble for up to 46 hours before they were discovered.

The victims’ families have since accused South Wales Police and Gwent Force of not taking the missing persons reports seriously, claiming the car was only found through their own search efforts.

In a joint statement, police said that just before midnight on Sunday a police helicopter “was ordered to search an area of ​​Cardiff which resulted in a vehicle being located in a wooded area off the A48”.

Two officers in the area then arrived to spot the Volkswagen Tiguan, the statement said.

A school attended by a victim of the Cardiff car crash has paid tribute to its formal pupil.

Rafel Jeanne, 24, was described by Ysgol Glantaf as “a happy student, full of life and energy at school, popular in his grade and a very genuine friend”.

In a statement, his school said: “It is with great sadness that we hear of the loss of one of our dear former students, Rafel Jeanne, who was cruelly and unexpectedly abducted this week. Rafel was a happy student, full of life and energy at school, popular in his grade level, and a very genuine friend who was well respected by his classmates.

“He has been a regular contributor to school activities, playing as a member of rugby teams at the National Stadium, winning the 2013 Welsh Cup and traveling with the school 7v7 squad to attend the 2012 Rosslyn Park Final. His energetic, enthusiastic approach and warm smile drew people in and shaped his character.

“Rafel was a well-liked and happy student who enjoyed helping others and seeing his development throughout his school years was a testament to his maturity and consistent involvement within the school community. We extend our sincere condolences to Rafel’s family and friends across the city and beyond as we have fond memories of a happy and lovely student who we are delighted and proud to know as a member of teulu Glantaf.”

A mother who spent hours searching for her missing daughter involved in a fatal car accident in Cardiff has criticized police after allegedly being told to “stop calling for updates”.

Concerns have been raised after three women and two men went missing over the weekend, with family and friends of the group making repeated appeals for them to be located.

The women, Sophie Russon, Eve Smith and Darcy Ross, were seen traveling in a Volkswagen Tiguan with two men, Rafel Jeanne and Shane Loughlin. They were last seen in Cardiff around 2am.

Thomas Kingsley has more:

Police have compiled a timeline of events leading to the discovery of a car crash that left three dead and two seriously injured:

• The last confirmed sighting of the five individuals was on Saturday, April 4th^th March at Pentwyn.
• The collision happened in the early morning hours of April 4^th March, exact time to be confirmed by investigation including CCTV and ANPR inquiries.
• The first missing persons report was made to Gwent Police at 7.34pm on Saturday 4th^th March.
• Further missing persons reports were received by Gwent Police at 7.43pm and 9.32pm on Saturday 4th^th March.
• Another missing persons report was made to South Wales Police at 5.37pm on Sunday 5th^th March.
• At 11:50 p.m. on Sunday, May 5^th On March 11, the police helicopter was called in to search an area of ​​Cardiff, resulting in a vehicle being located in a wooded area off the A48.
• Local Gwent Police officers had sighted the car (a Volkswagen Tiguan) at 00:02 on Monday 6 March and this culminated in a report being made by South Wales Police at 00:15.
• At this time we believe only one vehicle is involved.

The fateful night featured a 70-mile round trip that began with Sophie Russon, Eve Smith and Darcy Ross at the Muffler Bar in Newport. Read Martha McHardy’s full post here: