The three victims of a tragic car crash in Cardiff who died were identified by their mums after they laid undiscovered in the wreck for 46 hours.
Darcy Ross, 21, Eve Smith, 21, and Rafel Jeanne, 24, were all declared dead at the scene after the white Volkswagen Tiguan veered off the road in the early hours of March 4 on the outskirts of Cardiff, Wales, an inquest heard today.
The mangled wreck lay hidden from view off the A48(M) in St Mellons, before it was located nearly 48 hours later, as desperate friends and family joined police in a search.
Court usher Lynne Carroll opened three separate hearings into the deaths - and said no provisional cause of death has been given.
Ms Carroll said: "Mr Jeanne aged 24 have been involved in a road traffic collision that had occurred on the A48 St Mellons, Cardiff, slip.
"He was declared deceased at the scene."
Ms Carroll said Eve and Darcy were also involved in the crash and were both declared dead at the roadside.
It comes after police pinpointed the exact minute the car carrying five friends crashed off the road at 2.03am on March 4.
Bank worker Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32, were found badly injured in the car 46 hours later.
Shane soon regained consciousness and learned of the tragedy.
His message, posted on Facebook, read: "Only just found out what happened just want to say sorry to everyone and Thank you everyone who helped with the search party and thank you for everyone wishing me well I’ll be back soon love you all.
"Rip Rafel, Eve, and Darcy. Can’t believe it gutted is an understatement heart goes out to all families and friends of the people that has passed. Long way to recovery mentally and physically but we’ll get there."
Both Sophie and Shane remain in hospital.
A sixth passenger named Joel Lia had been with Rafel and Shane at Newport social club The Muffler on Friday, March 3, when they met Eve, Darcy and Sophie.
They later all got into the car and travelled 38 miles to the Trecco Bay caravan park in Porthcawl, where Shane has a caravan.
The group drove back to the Welsh capital where Joel was dropped off near his home in Pentwyn prior to the crash at 2.03am.
The group was heading back to Newport to drop off the three women.
Watchdogs are investigating the handling of the tragedy after it was not found until after midnight on the Monday, March 6.
The five met in a social club before travelling to a seaside caravan park.
Darcy's dad Haydn Ross paid tribute to his "beautiful daughter" and said: "Your sense of humour, personality and beautiful face is something Dada will cherish forever."
Eve's father Everton Smith paid tribute to his daughter and said: "I would give anything to hear her sing a song again, fly high my queen , I loved you more than words can say."
The inquests heard pathologist Dr Stephen Leadbeatter carried out the post-mortem examinations at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.
No provisional cause of death has been given pending histology and toxicology reports.
Coroner David Regan adjourned the inquests for a date to be fixed.
He said: "I will adjourn it for a date to be fixed in order for further investigations to be carried out."
