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Coedely: Hundreds attend tribute for teens killed in crash

BBC Coedely tributeBBC
Hundreds have gathered at a tribute for the three teens in Pontyclun, Rhondda Cynon Taf

About 300 people have gathered to remember three teenagers killed in a crash between a car and a bus.

Jesse Owen, 18, Callum Griffiths, 19, and Morgan Smith, 18, died in the collision in Coedely, Rhondda Cynon Taf, on 11 December.

Blue balloons were released in their memories at the event in Pontyclun.

Two other people, Lucas Vaughan, 18, and Sam Griffiths, 19, were taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Those attending the tribute also wished them a "speedy recovery".

An inquest opening heard six people were travelling in the Audi A1 at the time.

Mr Owen, who is thought to have been driving the car, died at the scene.

Mr Griffiths and Mr Smith also died as a result of their injuries, the Pontypridd inquest heard.

Family photos Morgan Smith, Jesse Owen, and Callum GriffithsFamily photos
Morgan Smith, Jesse Owen, and Callum Griffiths all died at the scene

Following the crash, 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".

The family of Mr Smith, from Clydach Vale, Tonypandy, said they were "devastated" by the death.

"We have been left with a void that can never be filled. We love you our boy," they said in a statement.

Part of Elwyn Street with a police cordon in place
The crash happened on Elwyn Street, Coedely, on the night of 11 December

The family of Mr Griffiths said the Porth teenager 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," said his mum Natalie, dad Lee and his 15-year-old sister Erin.

The inquest into the deaths was adjourned with no date set for it to resume.