- By Chris Dearden & Paul Pigott
- BBC Wales News
Image source, Family photos
Jevon Hirst, Harvey Owen, Wilf Fitchett and Hugo Morris died after their car crashed in north Wales
Four teenagers drowned after their car overturned on a camping trip in north Wales, an inquest has heard.
Wilf Fitchett, Jevon Hirst, Harvey Owen and Hugo Morris were found in an overturned, partially submerged car in Gwynedd.
The boys – one aged 16, two aged 17 and one aged 18 – were discovered on Tuesday 21 November.
A search was launched after the teenagers, from the Shrewsbury area, failed to return home.
The opening of an inquest at Caernarfon, Gwynedd, heard post-mortem examinations on all four teenagers showed the provisional cause of death to be drowning.
Kate Robertson, senior coroner for north-west Wales, said: “All four were travelling in a motor vehicle along the A4085 when the vehicle left the road, leading to their deaths.”
Ms Robertson told the hearing that the police investigation was “ongoing”.
“Only when it’s complete, will a full inquest take place,” she said.
“At this time, speculation is unhelpful and compassion will achieve more than media curiosity.
The coroner offered her “sincerest” condolences to the families of the four boys, who were not in attendance at the brief hearing.
Hundreds of people attended a vigil for the boys’ families in Shrewsbury
North Wales Police previously confirmed the bodies of the boys were found in an upside-down silver Ford Fiesta, partially submerged in water.
The car was understood to have come off the road on the A4085 in Garreg, near Tremadog in Gwynedd, about 75 miles (120km) from Shrewsbury.
Supt Owain Llewellyn said the crash appeared to have been “a tragic accident”.
In a tribute to her son, Harvey’s mother Crystal Owen described him as “a unique and special person who touched so many people along the way”.
She said: “There is never a time to lose a child but this feels so much more gut wrenching as he was literally thriving in life and had everything to live for.”
Wilf’s girlfriend, Maddi Corfield, posted a tribute online, writing: “I love you so much, I’m going to miss you forever.
“The sweetest and most loving boy I’ve ever known. I hope you know how much I love you, gorgeous.”
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
