Snowdonia search underway for four missing teenage boys
Police have found four bodies in the search for four missing teenagers travelling on a camping trip in North Wales.
Jevon Hirst, Harvey Owen, Wilf Henderson and Hugo Morris were last seen in a silver Ford Fiesta near the Snowdonia National Park on Sunday morning.
A major search operation was launched involving helicopters, the coastguard and mountain rescue teams before the vehicle was discovered this morning.
This afternoon, North Wales Police confirmed that four bodies had been recovered from the car, which appeared to have left the road in the village of Garreg, five miles from Porthmadog.
Police found the car overturned and partially submerged in water.
Supt Owain Llewelyn, of North Wales Police, said: “At present, this appears to have been a tragic accident, and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the four young men at this very difficult time.”
The tragic news comes after the Welsh Ambulance Service was called to an incident connected to the search near the A4085 between Nantmor and Tan-Lan at 10.08am.
The update from North Wales Police came in a statement read out in St Asaph, more than 35 miles from the scene.
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‘Truly heart-breaking’
MP Liz Saville Roberts has responded to the news by thanking the search teams involved and putting her thoughts with the families and friends of the teenagers. She said: “This news is truly heart-breaking and foremost as parents, our thoughts go out to the families and friends of the four young men whose lives have been tragically lost in this dreadful incident.
“We would like to pay tribute to the emergency services and local mountain rescue teams involved in the search operation and to members of the public for their assistance in helping to locate the vehicle. No words can sufficiently reflect the sorrow that this news brings to our whole community.”
Alex Ross21 November 2023 16:55
‘Desperate time’
Supt Owain Llewelyn, of North Wales Police, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the emergency services and members of the voluntary search agencies and members of the public who have supported us with this search.
“And finally I would ask that the family of these boys are afforded privacy at this desperate time.”
(Sky News)
Alex Ross21 November 2023 16:53
Car discovered on its roof
Supt Owain Llewelyn, of North Wales Police, said: “Police officers attend and located a Ford Fiesta on its roof partially submerged in water. Tragically the bodies of four young males were recovered from within the vehicle
“The families of the missing boys have been informed.
“Our thoughts are with them in this desperate time. Whilst the search is concluded there is an ongoign investigation to formally identify those within the vehicle and to understand what has led to this tragic incident.”
(PA/North Wales Police)
Alex Ross21 November 2023 16:51
Collision investigation
North Wales Police said enquiries were ongoing to establish the circumstances that led to the car leaving the road.
The Welsh Ambulance Service was called to the incident near the A4085 between Nantmor and Tan-Lan at 10.08am.
Since then, police collision investigators had been seen driving past the road block in Garreg toward the scene of the crash.
Alex Ross21 November 2023 16:42
‘Tragic accident’
Supt Owain Llewelyn, of North Wales Police, said: “At present, this appears to have been a tragic accident, and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the four young men at this very difficult time.
“This has been an extensive search involving a number of different agencies and volunteers, and this is sadly not the outcome that any of us would have wanted.
“We would ask that the family be afforded the appropriate privacy and respect.”
Investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances, police said.
Alex Ross21 November 2023 16:33
Four bodies discovered
Four bodies have been recovered from a car which appears to have left the road in Garreg, near Tremadog, said North Wales Police have said.
It follows a major search for missing teenagers Jevon Hirst, Harvey Owen, Wilf Henderson and Hugo Morris.
Alex Ross21 November 2023 16:33
Road block
Another picture from the scene in Garreg where police have closed the A4085, which heads up to the Pass of Averglaslyn, a local landmark.
The four teenagers were last seen in a Ford Fiesta, which has since been found close to the village.
(PA Video/PA Wire)
Alex Ross21 November 2023 16:11
‘Complete shock’
As the hours continue to pass since the teenagers were last seen, we’re hearing from reaction from the local community.
Councillor June Jones, who represents the Llanfrothen area on Gwynedd’s council Cyngor Gwynedd told the BBC: “It’s been a tremendous few hours really… the thoughts of the whole valley are with the families of these young lads.”
Alex Ross21 November 2023 16:08
North Wales Police to make statement at 4.30pm
North Wales Police says a statement will be read to the media by Supt Owain Llewelyn at 4.30pm today at its headquarters in St Asaph.
No questions will be taken during the briefing.
Holly Evans21 November 2023 15:41
Former school issues statement
A school in Shrewsbury were all four teenagers had previously attended has said they were all “well-known” by the school community. They had attended Meole Brace School until moving to Shrewsbury College to study for their A-Levels.
“Jev, Harvey and Wilf left us last year at the end of Year 11, and Hugo the year before. All four boys were well-thought [of] and well-known by the school community,” its head teacher Alan Doust said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families for their safe return.”
(PA/North Wales Police)
Holly Evans21 November 2023 15:27