Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Luke O'Reilly & Ryan Merrifield

Cardiff car crash victim's dad says 'nothing will ever be the same' after tragedy

The tearful father of one of the three victims of a car crash in Cardiff has said "nothing will be the same" after his daughter's death.

Eve Smith and Darcy Ross, both 21, and Rafel Jeanne, 24, died in the collision, which happened on the A48(M) near the St Mellons area of Cardiff in the early hours of Saturday, March 4.

Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32, who were also travelling in the white Volkswagen Tiguan, remain in a critical condition in hospital.

They were not found until the early hours of Monday.

It comes after the mystery passenger who was dropped off prior to the incident has been identified.

Everton Smith holds back tears as he pays tribute to his daughter (BBC News)

Ms Smith's father Everton Smith spoke in front of floral tributes laid for his daughter in Newport's Commercial Street on Thursday, the BBC reported.

He said his daughter was "everything a father could wish for".

"It's going to change my life, I don't know how much it will," Mr Smith said.

Huge crowds gathered for a vigil and tributes with fireworks at the scene of the crash (WalesOnline/Rob Browne)

"Nothing will be the same. I just need her here to get me through this. This is an impossible situation."

Ms Smith's death comes eight years after her sister Xana Doyle, 19, was killed in a car crash.

The driver, who was twice the drink-drive limit, was prosecuted and Ms Smith took part in a Sky TV documentary about the incident and campaigned for tougher sentences.

Darcy Ross (Media Wales)

"This is like nothing anyone could expect to go through, it's like deja vu," Mr Smith said.

He said he was unsurprised about the floral tributes left for Ms Smith as there was "something special" about his daughter.

The group had been to The Muffler social club in Maesglas, Newport, on Friday night and then travelled just under 40 miles to the Trecco Bay caravan park in Porthcawl.

Shane Loughlin (Media Wales)

Investigations are still ongoing to establish the exact time of the crash.

South Wales Police said they are still working to "piece together" what happened.

In a statement, the force said: "South Wales Police is continuing to investigate the fatal road traffic collision on the A48 in the St Mellons area of Cardiff.

"Our thoughts continue to be with the families and all those affected by this tragic incident.

Eve Smith (Media Wales)
Sophie Russon (Darcy Ross / Eve Smith / Sophie Russon)

"Specialist officers are carrying out a detailed investigation to piece together what has happened.

"Family liaison officers are supporting the families involved at what must be a hugely difficult time for them."

Tributes were paid to the victims of the car crash in the Welsh Parliament on Wednesday.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the actions of South Wales Police and Gwent Police during the search for the group who were not found until just after midnight on Monday, March 6.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.