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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Abigail O'Leary

Hundreds attend vigil for Cardiff crash victims as police slammed over handling of search

A vigil is being held to remember those killed in the Cardiff car crash as questions continue to be asked about why it took the police so long to find them.

Eve Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21, and Rafel Jeanne, 24, died in the accident while Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32, survived but remain in a critical condition, according to police.

All five were in a Volkswagen Tiguan that came off the A48(M) in Cardiff and crashed into trees in the St Mellons area of the city.

The vigil was planned for 6pm on Tuesday at the scene of the accident, according to posts on social media.

Friends and loved ones gathered at the scene as many arrived carrying coloured balloons, while others lay floral tributes on the ground.

Hundreds have turned out tonight (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

Many hugged one another and cried as they stood in mournful silence.

The group had been to a social club in Maesglas, Newport, on Friday night and were thought to then have travelled 40 miles to the Trecco Bay area of Porthcawl.

They are then believed to have gone to the Llanedeyrn area of Cardiff and were last seen at about 2am on Saturday.

Smoke flares are lit in honour of the victims (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

All five were later registered missing by their families having failed to return home - with a report made to Gwent Police on Saturday evening.

Hundreds of members of the public took part in searches but Gwent Police did not issue a public appeal for help until 11pm on Sunday, with the car found shortly after midnight on Monday.

The wreckage of the VW Tiguan was found in a copse of trees and hidden from the view of the busy road, residential houses and the nearby garden centre.

Three victims are being remembered tonight (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

Officers believe the car was involved in a road traffic collision and came off the A48(M) but it is not clear exactly when that happened.

Friends of the five claim they found the vehicle - while police insist it was located by a helicopter.

Friends and loved ones arrive to the vigil with balloons (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

Tamzin Samuels, 20, a friend of the young women and who helped in the search effort, said: "I do think the police could have done a lot more in putting the helicopters out earlier.

"They only posted the appeal an hour before the girls were found. We found them before the police found them - we rang the police.

"The search party found the girls before the police found the girls.

The vigil is for the three friends Eve Smith, 21, and Darcy Ross, 21, who were found dead along with Rafel Jeanne, 24 (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

"I think that speaks volumes really, they had all that equipment, and we had cars when we were looking.

"They were really popular girls, the life of the party, and it was really out of character for them to do what they did, which is why we knew something was wrong."

Two women, who were friends of the Loughlin family, questioned the police response.

(WALES NEWS SERVICE)

They said: "Everyone knew it was a crash, it was just a matter of waiting until they found them.

"The police were terrible. I don't think they took it seriously.

"The families said it was out of character for them to go missing and the police should have listened to them.

"Shane's mum was up all weekend worried sick.

There is a big turnout (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

"The boys from Cardiff, all their friends were driving around looking for them, it was those people looking who found them, not the police."

Tributes have been paid on social media to those who died.

A friend of Mr Loughlin posted: "I'm so proud of us all pulling together out there searching for our dear friends last night.

People gather with balloons and floral tributes in memory of the three victims (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

"It's heart breaking what's happened to Rafel Jeanne and those two girls. My body is still shaking and I can't stop being sick the thought of them all there all of that time.

"Many times I have driven past, it just makes me so sad and to how helpless our Shane Loughlin must of felt trapped inside.

"Wish Sophie a speedy recovery and I send all my love and strength to all the families involved."

Friends are devastated (WALES NEWS SERVICE)
There is a big turnout (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

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.

Her sister paid tribute to her in a post on Facebook.

"My beautiful little sister I've cried laughed and fought with you every week, but I've never been without you," she said.

The horror car crash has shocked the community (WALES NEWS SERVICE)
People are in tears (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

"We always said, 'I got you always' but now I'm sat here feeling so empty because you're not here with me anymore, and I can't accept this.

"I know you're safe up with there with our beautiful sister Xana but I was never ready to let you go, my body is aching without you."

In a statement, Ms Smith's family said: "At this extraordinarily difficult time, we request that our privacy is respected and we are allowed to grieve in peace.

Eve Smith died in the crash in the early hours of Saturday morning (Media Wales)

"Please note we are not going to speak to the media for the foreseeable future. Please do not try to contact our family and friends either in person or via social media.

"We want to allow Gwent Police and South Wales Police the time and space to investigate the matter in a thorough and professional way and to enable the Independent Office for Police Conduct thereafter to come to their own conclusions."

Darcy Ross died when the car veered off the road and into a ditch (Media Wales)

Both South Wales Police and the neighbouring Gwent force, who were leading the missing persons investigation prior to the discovery of the car, said they have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) "in line with normal procedure".

An IOPC spokesperson said: "We are urgently carrying out an assessment of referrals received yesterday (Monday) from Gwent Police and South Wales Police to determine what action may be required from us."

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