Hundreds at balloon release for teen crash victims

Family and friends of three young men who died after a car crash have released balloons in their memory.

Hundreds of young people gathered at Gilfach Community Centre in Rhondda Cynon Taf to remember Callum Griffiths, 19, Morgan Smith, 18, and Jesse Owen, 18.

They were among six people travelling in a car that collided with a bus in nearby Coedely on 11 December.

Leah Matthews, Morgan’s cousin, spoke at the event on Thursday and said the boys’ deaths had touched many people.

“Individually, they have touched the lives of so many, in their own ways,” she said.

“We know how proud the boys would be seeing each and every one one of us here getting through the most horrific time we’ve ever experienced in our lives.”

A number of fundraising pages have been set up in memory of those who died, raising a total of more than £10,000 so far for their families.

Pages have been set up too for Lucas Vaughan, 18, and Sam Griffiths, 19, who remain in hospital. More than £15,000 has been raised so far.

Lisa Martin, who set up a fundraising page for Lucas, said he was in intensive care in the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff "with life-changing injuries".

"When he gets through this he’s going to be in hospital into the new year at least."

She said that would be followed by "months of hospital appointments and physio" and other appointments, and someone would need to look after him "and get him through the months that lay ahead".

"Lucas is a very hard-working talented footballer. He is the most kindest, loving family-orientated young man who would do anything for anyone.

"I am setting this up to try and relieve some of the financial pressure off Lucas’s family at this time who need to be at the hospital at his bedside for the foreseeable future."