North Wales: Police searching for missing teenagers find car

A car has been found during a police search for four teenagers who have been missing since Sunday morning.

Jevon Hirst, Harvey Owen, Wilf Fitchett and Hugo Morris, from Shrewsbury, are thought to have been travelling in the Harlech and Porthmadog areas of north Wales.

It is believed they had gone camping in Eryri National Park.

They were last seen in a silver Ford Fiesta, registration HY14 GVO, police said.

Ambulance crews responded to reports of an incident near the A4085 between Nantmor and Tan-Lan on Tuesday morning.

North Wales Police said the vehicle was found following information from a member of the public.

"Police officers and colleagues from other emergency services are currently at the location and the families of those involved have been kept updated," the force said.

A police cordon has been set up near the village of Garreg on the A4085, some three miles from Penrhyndeudraeth.

An air ambulance was seen leaving the area after midday on Tuesday.

Crystal Owen, the mother of Harvey, earlier told the BBC she was on her way to north Wales to be closer to the search operation.

Ms Owen said she was unaware her son was going on a camping trip and believed he was going to stay at friend's grandfather's house.

Harvey, 17, has three siblings and is a student at Shrewsbury College doing A-levels.

Jevon, Wilf and Hugo are also studying A-levels at the college.

She said she believes the last time the group used their phones was about noon on Sunday from Porthmadog and her son had not logged onto his WhatsApp which she said was unusual.

"I am frantically worried, we haven't slept a wink, we are desperate to chase any lead we can," she said.

"If I'd have known [where he was going] I wouldn't have let him due to the winter weather conditions.

"They are all sensitive, intelligent lads and we are just hoping they parked up, got lost and are OK."

Another family member wrote on social media: "Please keep sharing... if anyone knows anything or can think of anything that may help find the boys please contact the police. We are desperate for any news."

Emyr Owen, who lives near the search area, said: "It was atrocious weather on Sunday. I don't know what happened to four young men in the car, hopefully nothing bad."

In a statement, Shrewsbury College said: "The college's immediate thoughts are with the family and friends of the teenagers missing in north Wales.

"This is a very worrying time, and we all want them to be found safe and well."

Meole Brace School in Shrewsbury, which the four teenagers previously attended, said in a statement that all four boys were well-thought of and well-known by the school community.

"We are fully supportive of the police and emergency services as they work to bring the boys home," headteacher Alan Doust said.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families for their safe return," he added.

Weather conditions in the area on Monday were cloudy, with showers and strong northerly winds causing significant chill, particularly on higher and more exposed routes, according to the Met Office mountains forecast.

A coastguard helicopter from Caernarfon searched the area north east of Porthmadog, at 04:30 GMT on Tuesday but has since returned to its base.

The Welsh Ambulance Service said it was called to reports of an incident near the A4085 between Nantmor and Tan-Lan at 10:08 GMT on Tuesday.

It said it sent two emergency ambulances, two High Acuity Response Units and was supported by two Wales Air Ambulance charity helicopters.

Chris Lloyd, chairman of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team, said: "We were called out by North Wales Police early yesterday afternoon.

"Our first job was to look for any indication they were on the mountain."

HM Coastguard said it responded to a request for help from North Wales Police shortly before 03:00 on Tuesday.

"The coastguard helicopter from Caernarfon was sent and completed an extensive search of an area, before returning to base with nothing found," it said.