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A survivor of a fatal Cardiff car crash lay injured beside her dead friends for two days before they were found, her mother has said.
Eve Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21 and Rafel Jeanne, 24, died after a Volkswagen Tiguan came 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 in the crash are reported to have lain in the wreckage for up to 46 hours before they were discovered.
Speaking to The Sun, Ms Russon’s mother told of how while searching for her daughter, she unwittingly drove three times past the scene of the crash.
“Sophie was 20 yards away lying there scared, next to her friends who were dead. But I didn’t see her because of the trees and there was a dip.”
“She was lying there wondering if help would ever arrive,” said Ms Certowicz. “She must have thought she was going to die.
“She had head injuries so she may not have really known what was going on — at least I hope she didn’t.”
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Survivor lay next to dead friends for two days, says mother
A survivor of a fatal Cardiff car crash lay injured beside her dead friends for two days before they were found, her mother has said.
Speaking to The Sun, Sophie Russon’s mother told of how while searching for her daughter, she unwittingly drove three times past the scene of the crash.
“Sophie was 20 yards away lying there scared, next to her friends who were dead. But I didn’t see her because of the trees and there was a dip.”
“She was lying there wondering if help would ever arrive,” said Ms Certowicz. “She must have thought she was going to die.
“She had head injuries so she may not have really known what was going on — at least I hope she didn’t.”
Emily Atkinson7 March 2023 11:281678193439
IOPC investigating South Wales Police and Gwent force
Both South Wales Police and the neighbouring Gwent force, who were leading the missing persons investigation prior to the discovery of the car, said they have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) “in line with normal procedure”.
Commenting today, an IOPC spokesperson said: “We are urgently carrying out an assessment of referrals received yesterday (Monday) from Gwent Police and South Wales Police to determine what action may be required from us.”
Emily Atkinson7 March 2023 12:501678191039
Vigil planned to remember Cardiff crash victims
A night-time vigil is being planned to remember those killed in a car crash that left two others seriously injured.
Eve Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21, and Rafel Jeanne, 24, died in the accident while Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32, survived but remain in a critical condition, according to police.
A vigil is planned for 6pm on Tuesday at the scene of the accident, according to posts on social media.
Emily Atkinson7 March 2023 12:101678187439
Floral tributes left as site of fatal Cardiff crash
Emily Atkinson7 March 2023 11:101678184954
Watch: Drone footage of fatal Cardiff car crash scene
✕Drone footage of fatal Cardiff car crash sceneEmily Atkinson7 March 2023 10:291678181808
Double tragedy for Cardiff crash victim’s family as sister killed by drug-driver eight years ago
One of the victims of a fatal Cardiff car crash that killed three people also lost her sister to a road accident eight years ago.
The bodies of Eve Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21, and Rafel Jeanne, 24, were pulled from the wreckage of the Volkswagen Tiguan in St Mellons, Cardiff on Monday morning – almost 48 hours after they were last seen.
Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32, were found alive, having spent two days critically injured as police searched for them.
Thomas Kingsley has more:
Sister of Cardiff crash victim killed by drug-driver eight years ago
Family and friends of the victims have criticised the police’s response to the crash
Emily Atkinson7 March 2023 09:361678179373
Family criticise police search as tributes pour in for three killed in Cardiff crash
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.
Thomas Kingsley has the details:
Family criticise police search as tributes pour in for three killed in Cardiff crash
Two people are hospitalised in a serious condition
Emily Atkinson7 March 2023 08:561678176943
The scene in the St Mellons area of Cardiff where three people who disappeared on a night out died in a road traffic accident.
Emily Atkinson7 March 2023 08:151678175085
Girl injured in Cardiff crash ‘called for help but no one could hear’ as friends claim they found group
A girl injured in a fatal Cardiff car crash called out for help but no one could hear her, as friends claim they found the wreckage before the police.
The bodies of Eve Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21, and Rafel Jeanne, 24, were pulled from the wreckage of the Volkswagen Tiguan in St Mellons, Cardiff on Monday morning – almost 48 hours after they were last seen.
Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32, were found alive, having spent two days critically injured amid a police search.
Thomas Kingsley has this breaking story:
Girl injured in Wales crash called for help but no one could hear
A girl injured in a fatal Cardiff car crash called out for help but no one could hear her, as friends claim they found the wreckage before the police.
Emily Atkinson7 March 2023 07:441678172527
Friend pays heartfelt tribute to Darcy Ross and Eve Smith
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.”
Maroosha Muzaffar7 March 2023 07:02
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