The parents of one of the teenagers who died in a collision on a Welsh road have paid tribute to their "baby boy" while his boxing club has remembered the "Welsh champion".
Boxing champion Morgan Smith, 18, died after a collision between a bus and an Audi A1 in Coedely on Monday evening.
Another 18 year-old Jesse Owen and a 19-year-old Callum Griffiths were also killed, South Wales Police said.
The Welsh Ambulance Service sent seven ambulances and three doctors to Rhondda Cynon Taf, but the three could not be saved.
The boxer's father Daniel Chalfont wrote on Facebook that he had lost his "baby boy" who was "literally the most perfect son you could ever wish for".
His mother Laura said: "Just six hours ago we said our usual I love you. This hurts so much."
Morgan, who had won a youth boxing title and was also a keen rugby player, was on night out with friends. They all played for the same rugby club.
Two further men, aged 18 and 19, were taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff with life-threatening injuries. Two other people were also treated for minor injuries.
The road has remained closed while investigations into the collision continue.
Morgan was a member of Maerdy Boxing Club and had represented Wales at amateur level.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the club said: “We as a club are absolutely devastated to hear the horrific news that one of our own Morgan Smith sadly passed away yesterday evening.
“Morgan was the nicest person you could ever wish to meet, always had time for people and it was a pleasure to have him representing our club as he was a big part of the Maerdy Boxing Club Family.
“He will be missed by everyone and he will leave a massive hole in our lives.
“Not only was Morgan a great person he was also a very talented Boxer becoming a Welsh Champion, representing Wales in the British Championships and also traveled (sic) to Ireland with us to box.
“Our thoughts and prays (sic) are with Morgans (sic) family at this very sad time”
The club said it would remain closed until further notice following Mr Smith’s death.
Amateur boxing governing body Welsh Boxing also paid tribute to Mr Smith and his friends.
It said: “Welsh Boxing is saddened to hear of the tragic accident that has occurred in Coedely and the untimely death of Morgan Smith and his teenage friends.
“Morgan became Welsh Youth Champion last year and represented Wales at the GB 3 Nations tournament where he won a bronze medal.
“Our thoughts are with all the families and friends, everyone involved at Morgan’s boxing club Maerdy ABC and the members of the boxing community who knew him.”
Morgan's old rugby club, Penygraig RFC, offered support to those who played alongside him.
It said: “On behalf of everyone at Penygraig RFC we would like to pass on our sincere condolences to all those effected by last night’s tragic accident at Coedely.
“There will be a lot of young men who played alongside Morgan Smith during the many times he represented Penygraig at Youth level.
“There will be others who both trained with and fought against him during his time as a talented and promising young boxer.
“To those who knew Morgan, and the other young men involved, we would like you all to know there is always someone you can talk to.
“If there is anything Penygraig RFC can do to help the families or friends at this difficult time, please do not hesitate to get in touch.”
Superintendent Esyr Jones of South Wales Police said: "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragic incident. Trained family liaison officers are supporting the families at what must be an extremely difficult time for them."
The terraced street where the crash happened, Elwyn Street, is a 20mph road.
Rhondda Cynon Taf council's deputy mayor Dan Owen-Jones said he was one of the first at the scene, after receiving a call from someone living on the street.
In a Facebook post on a local community page, he said: "I have faced this evening tragedy and bereaved families at its worse, at times I was numb and helpless to the grieving families.
"I cannot even describe the pain, shock and suffering I have witnessed tonight… Horrific."
Speaking to BBC Wales, he said: "It's a distressing time for all. At this time of year it's even worse.
"I was there immediately, about two minutes past seven. I had a call from one of the neighbours, it happened outside their home. I was on the frontline trying to do the best with the traffic control.
"Later on there was lots and lots of family and friends. It was very distressing to see the family, but understandable - if it was one of my family I would have wanted to be there."
Local councillor Danny Grehan said the fatal collision was a "terrible blow" for the area.
He added: "From what I understand, local people were involved in the horrific accident, and this is going to hit the area very hard.
"Obviously from seeing people's comments last night, a shockwave will go through the whole community.
"The pain is obviously going to be felt by the families of those who are part of this but also in the whole community and I would like to thank the Coedely community for opening the community centre last night for the emergency services that worked there."
South Wales Police said the road would be closed "for some time" and drivers should find an alternative route.
Stagecoach Wales has said that due to the road closure they were unable to serve Coedely.
Alex Davies-Jones, Labour MP for Pontypridd, described the incident as "devastating news from our community".
She thanked those who tried to help on Monday night on X, formerly known as Twitter, and added: "All my thoughts are with the families and loved ones affected by this."
