Coedely crash: Families pay tribute to teenagers killed

Families of three teenagers killed in a crash between a bus and an Audi A1 have paid tribute to them.

Callum Griffiths, 19, and Jesse Owen and Morgan Smith, both 18, all died at the scene in Coedely, Rhondda Cynon Taf, at 19:00 GMT on Monday.

Mr Owen's family said his presence "would light up any room" while Mr Smith's family said they had been "left with a void that can never be filled".

The family of Mr Griffiths said their hearts were "broken beyond repair".

The BBC has been told the three teenagers had all been at a funeral prior to the fatal collision.

Two other people, aged 18 and 19, remain in hospital with life-threatening injuries while another two people were treated for minor injuries.

The terraced street where the crash happened, Elwyn Street, is a 20mph (32km/h) road and mourners have left floral tributes at the scene.

The family of Mr Owen, from Penygraig, said he was "loved by all" who knew him.

They described him as a "loving, happy, kind, calm and beautiful soul" who would do "absolutely anything for anyone".

"He loved his family and friends and was loyal to the core. 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."

The family of Mr Smith, from Clydach Vale, Tonypandy, said he was popular and a loved son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin.

"Morgan was best known as a talented boxer previously gaining a Welsh title. He was an up-and-coming star with a promising boxing career ahead of him.

"We as a family are devastated by the loss of Morgan, we have been left with a void that can never be filled. We love you our boy."

The family of Mr Griffiths - his mum Natalie, dad Lee and his 15-year-old sister Erin - said the Porth teenager had a "beautiful smile that would light up the room".

"He was the most precious gift of a son and our love is endless," they added.

"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."

They said he had just qualified as a barber.

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."

Morgan Smith's father Daniel Chalfont said on Facebook: "Literally the most perfect son you could ever wish for. Don't know how I'll live life without you."

A joint statement issued on behalf of the teenagers' former schools said it was "incredibly sad that lives full of potential and promise have been sadly taken too soon".

"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," the three head teachers said.

"Pupils and staff from all our schools send their heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the families of the former pupils who have died."

Rhys Edwards, who trains at Rhondda Amateur Boxing Club, said he was friends with four of the five people involved in the crash and "everyone's just devastated".

Maerdy Boxing Club paid tribute to Morgan, saying it had lost "one of our own".

"Morgan was the nicest person you could ever wish to meet", said the club, adding he was "a very talented boxer, becoming Welsh Champion, representing Wales in the British Championships".

Welsh Boxing said its thoughts were with his family and friends adding: "Morgan became Welsh youth champion last year and represented Wales at the GB Three Nations tournament where he won a bronze medal."

Rhondda Cynon Taf's deputy mayor Dan Owen-Jones said he was one of the first at the scene, after receiving a call from someone living on the street.

He said: "Later on there was lots and lots of family and friends. It was very distressing to see the family, but understandable, if it was one of my family I would have wanted to be there."

In a Facebook post on a community page, he said: "I have faced this evening tragedy and bereaved families at its worse, at times I was numb and helpless to the grieving families.

"I cannot even describe the pain, shock and suffering I have witnessed tonight… Horrific."

On Tuesday night, there was an event at St Alban's Church in Coedely where people lit candles and prayed.

The church said it would open its doors on Saturday between 09:00 and midday for people to come and pay their respects.

Pontypridd Labour MP Alex Davies-Jones, who lives in the village where the crash happened, told BBC Radio Wales' Drive the close-knit community was grieving for the dead and praying for those in hospital.

She added: "It's going take us a very long time to recover from this awful, awful accident."

Mr Smith's former rugby club, Penygraig RFC, said: "To those who knew Morgan, and the other young men involved, we would like you all to know there is always someone you can talk to."

First Minister Mark Drakeford said on X, formerly Twitter: "My thoughts are with the families and friends of those involved in this tragic incident."

Supt Esyr Jones of South Wales Police said family liaison officers were supporting the families.

The Welsh Ambulance Service said seven ambulances were sent to the scene of the crash.

"Four people were taken to University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, and a fifth person was taken to Royal Glamorgan Hospital for further treatment," it added.