Families of teens killed in head-on crash say 'Christmas is cancelled'

Heartbroken families of three teenagers killed in a head-on crash with a bus say ‘Christmas is cancelled’ as they lay flowers in memory of the friends who died ‘on their way back from a funeral’

The heartbroken family of one of three teenagers killed in a head-on crash with a bus says ‘Christmas is cancelled’ for them after the tragedy.

Childhood friends Morgan Smith, 18, Callum Griffiths, 19, and Jesse Owen, 18, died when their Audi A1 car collided with a bus on a winding 20mph road through a Welsh village in the dark and wet at 7pm on Monday.

Two other young men, who have not been named, were travelling in the car were left with life-threatening injuries in the crash, which took place as  the group travelled from a funeral.

Today 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.’

Floral tributes have been left to the teenagers at the scene of the crash in the village of Coedely near Tonyrefail

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

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 

She added: ‘He was a lovely caring boy liked by everybody. He didn’t have a bad word to say about anyone.’

READ MORE HERE:  Three pals aged 18 and 19 killed in horrific car crash ‘had been at a funeral’ before their Audi smashed head-on into a bus – as their devastated families pay tribute

Morgan’s dad Daniel Chalfont yesterday 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.’

In tributes issued through police, Jesse’s family said he had ‘a presence that would light up any room.’

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

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.

READ MORE HERE:  Teenage rugby player killed alongside two friends in Coedely crash on Christmas night out as two more fight for their lives and parents pay tribute to ‘perfect son’ 

‘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.’

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