Dad of UK crash victim shares new picture of daughter…

Dad of UK crash victim shares new picture of daughter in heartbreaking tribute as surviving friend 'unrecognisable'

The father of one of the young women killed in a recent car crash with her friends has released new photos of her in a devastating update.

Eve Smith, 21, died alongside childhood friend Darcy Ross, also 21, and Rafel Jeanne, 24, after their car was involved in a crash on the outskirts of Cardiff, Wales, in the early hours of Saturday.

Police have launched a full-scale investigation into two forces who were leading the search after it was claimed they did not take matters seriously enough.

It took 48 hours from when the group was reported missing to when the crash site was located - where three people lay dead in the wrecked white Volkswagen Tiguan.

20-year-old Sophie Russon and Shane Loughlin, 32, lay injured in the same vehicle until they were discovered by authorities.

Sophie, who remains in hospital after the tragic accident, has described how she lay suspended for hours among her dead friends and is "unrecognisable".

Eve's grieving dad, Everton, posted a message to his daughter last night, describing the "numbness" he is feeling, adding: "I loved you more than words can say."

He shared various photos of Eve and himself.

Everton Smith shared new photos of his daughter Eve (Facebook)

Writing on Facebook, he said: "It’s taken a couple of days and I just can’t believe what has happened, the pain and numbness constantly reminding me that I will never see my beautiful daughter Eve again.

"I would give anything to hear her sing a song again, fly high my queen , I loved you more than words can say and will cherish the 21 years I had with you bossing my life!

"My family & I would appreciate time to grieve and morn."

There had been widespread criticism - much coming from the victims' families - of the approach taken by police to the concerned calls about the missing group of friends.

The forces involved confirmed they referred themselves to the police watchdog in regard to their investigation.

Yesterday, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it was "urgently carrying out an assessment" of the referrals which were made by Gwent Police and South Wales Police on Tuesday.

Some of the tributes laid at the scene (John Myers)

In an update last night, the watchdog said it will be investigating the forces' response to the missing person reports.

The group were last seen inside the car at 2am on Saturday in CCTV footage taken at a petrol station in the Llanedeyrn area of Cardiff.

They had travelled a substantial amount of miles, estimated at around 85, dropping off an unnamed man along the way.

The three women had been partying at the Muffler nightclub in Newport, Wales, and are understood to have met Rafel and Shane during the evening.

The group drove to Trecco Bay caravan park in Porthcawl at one stage before heading back to the Cardiff area where the car crashed.

Family and friends of the group have criticised Gwent and South Wales Police for their handling of the case.

They claim it was them who found the car after carrying out their own searches, and police had initially brushed off their missing person concerns.

Both forces have been referred to independent police watchdog the IOPC and an investigation has been launched.