Three teenagers killed in South Wales crash named – as dad pays tribute to ‘perfect son’
Three teenagers who were killed after a car collided with a bus in Coedely, South Wales, have been named by police.
18-year-olds Morgan Smith and Jesse Owen and Callum Griffiths, 19, were declared dead at the scene.
Two others have sustained life-threatening injuries.
Daniel Chalfont said on Facebook he was “literally broken” following the death of Morgan Smith.
“Literally the most perfect son you could ever wish for,” he said.
“Miss you so much already.”
Maerdy Boxing Club said in a statement that Mr Smith was the “Nicest person you could ever wish to meet”.
“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 to Ireland with us to box.
“Our thoughts and prays are with Morgan’s family at this very sad time.”
The club confirmed it would be closed until further notice.
In a statement, South Wales Police said: “At around 7pm last night (Monday 11 December) emergency services were called to the scene of a serious road traffic collision involving a bus and an Audi A1 on Ely Valley Road, Coedely.
“Three men – two aged 18 and one aged 19 – were declared dead at the scene. 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 since reopened.
Superintendent Esyr Jones 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 force previously asked for anyone with dash cam footage or who witnessed the collision to get in touch.
A Welsh Ambulance spokesperson said: “We sent seven emergency ambulances, two operational managers and our Hazardous Area Response Team to the scene.
“We were supported by pre-hospital immediate care specialists from MEDSERVE Wales, and advanced critical care support was delivered by the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service in a Wales Air Ambulance charity car.”
Graham Drew lives on nearby Gladys Street, and told Sky News: “It is a stretch of road that is quite dangerous.
“This was an accident waiting to happen.”
He said the community was “obviously very concerned about what has just happened”.
“We did open the community centre to ask people to go in and have a cuppa and I do believe that police spoke to the people there to communicate with the families related to the incident.”
The scene in Coedely, near Tonyrefail, Rhondda Cynon Taf
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Another local resident who did not wish to be named told Sky News she could see lights when she looked out of her bedroom window on Monday evening.
“Within five minutes, there was a woman trying to get down and they [Police] wouldn’t let her and she was screaming ‘My boy, my boy’,” she said.
“Everybody’s stunned. We’re just stunned. It’s terrible. No words for it.”
Danny Grehan, councillor for Tonyrefail East told Sky News the mood was “heavy” within the local community.
“Any tragic accident is going to bring a lot of grief and a lot of pain,” he said.
“That is really evident in the community and in the community here in Coedely this morning where this tragic accident has happened.
“The local people been involved in this accident, we still don’t know the details. But obviously the loss of life in any event is a real hit for us as a community.”
The scene in Coedely, near Tonyrefail, Rhondda Cynon Taf
He thanked the people of Coedely for their response to the incident.
“They went out of their way last night,” Cllr Grehan added.
“They opened the community centre, they opened their hearts to whoever was involved in last night and the work that was going on.”
He said there were “no words” to convey the grief the families would be feeling.
“It’s tragic, deeply sad and my deepest condolences go to those members of the family,” he added.
Wales’s first minister, Mark Drakeford, posted his condolences on X, formerly Twitter.
“My thoughts are with the families and friends of those involved in this tragic incident in Coedely, and diolch o galon (heartfelt thanks) to all first responders working at the scene,” he wrote.
Two men have been charged in connection with the felling of the famous Sycamore Gap tree.
Daniel Graham, 38, and Adam Carruthers, 31, have been charged with causing criminal damage after the tree was cut down last September.
They have both also been charged with causing criminal damage to Hadrian’s Wall and are due to appear at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on 15 May.
There was a national outcry when the much-loved, 200-year-old Northumberland tree, which stood next to Hadrian’s Wall, was found to have been cut down.
Northumbria Police made a number of arrests in the wake of the felling of the tree, which happened overnight on 27 and 28 September.
A teenager and man in his 60s were later both told that they will face no further action.
The historic tree was 200 years old. Pic: PA
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Teams from the National Trust collected material at the scene, which they hoped could be “viable for propagating” – or to produce new saplings and trees directly from the Sycamore Gap.
Officials said they are also “hoping” the trunk of the original tree could still regrow – but it could be three years before they know whether this is a possibility.
Seeds collected from the Sycamore Gap tree after it was felled last year are beginning to spring into life.
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Gary Fothergill, specialist prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendants are active and that they have a right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Line Of Duty actor Brian McCardie has died “suddenly at home” at the age of 59, his family has confirmed.
Best known for playing mafia boss John Thomas ‘Tommy’ Hunter in the TV crime drama, the Scottish star had also recently joined the cast of Outlander prequel, Blood Of My Blood.
His sister confirmed his death on X, writing: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Brian James McCardie, beloved son, brother, uncle and dear friend to so many.
“Brian passed away suddenly at home on Sunday 28th April. A wonderful and passionate actor on stage and screen, Brian loved his work and touched many lives, and is gone much too soon.
“We love him and will miss him greatly; please remember Brian in your thoughts.”
She said funeral arrangements would be announced in the days ahead.
No cause of death was given.
McCardie’s agent, United Agents, paid tribute on social media, writing: “We are shocked and so deeply saddened by the tragic news of Brian McCardie’s sudden death.
“He was an actor of such great talent who we were lucky to represent, and our thoughts are very much with his family and friends at this difficult time.”
A statement from Line Of Duty producers Jed Mercurio and Simon Heath and the team behind the hit show, said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of Brian McCardie’s death.
“We feel honoured to have worked with Brian on Line Of Duty. Brian was an incredibly talented actor, and the lasting impact he had as Tommy Hunter is testament to the power of his performance.
“Off screen, Brian couldn’t have been more different from the character he played – he was warm, funny and charming. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time.”
With a career stretching over three decades, McCardie had appeared in numerous TV shows over the years – but it was his role in Line Of Duty for which he was best known.
Tommy Hunter, a criminal boss turned police informant, was one of the show’s original characters, who met a violent end early on in series two.
But Hunter went on to be mentioned in both series three and series five, and was a key player in the nail-biting police corruption whodunnit.
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McCardie, who grew up Carluke, near Glasgow, appeared in an episode of Outlander, playing Sir Marcus MacRannoch, before being cast as the chief of Clan Grant in the forthcoming Outlander prequel.
The show, which centres around the lives of Outlander character Jamie Fraser’s parents, is currently filming in Scotland, according to Starz network.
In Rob Roy, McCardie starred as Alasdair MacGregor, the brother of the title character, who was played by Northern Ireland actor Liam Neeson.
His other film parts include the 2013 adaption of Irvine Welsh novel Filth, which starred James McAvoy, and 2003 period drama Mr Barrington.
McCardie also had roles in 2019 Netflix series The Last Czars, along with prison drama Time in 2021, opposite Sean Bean, and Irvine Welsh’s TV series Crime in the same year.
He also appeared in Sky Atlantic’s Domina, set in Ancient Rome, where he played Roman statesman Cicero.
UK
King Charles talks about his health as he holds hands with cancer patients on return to public duties
The King has said he is feeling “much better” as he returned to public duties for the first time since his cancer diagnosis.
On his visit with the Queen to a Macmillan Cancer Centre in London, the King held hands with cancer patients.
He was also announced as patron of Cancer Research UK, and takes over the role from his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth.
The King, who is also patron of Macmillan Cancer Support, replied “much better, thanks” when Sky News asked how he was feeling.
It was his first public outing since doctors told him to avoid public-facing duties while having cancer treatment.
Pic: PA
On Friday, the Palace said he was “greatly encouraged” to be given the green light to return to some public-facing duties.
However, sources stressed the King still has cancer and will continue to be treated for an undisclosed form of the disease.
It is hoped his visit will draw attention to the importance of early diagnosis, as well as innovative treatments and research at the hospital supported by Cancer Research UK.
The King holds hands with a cancer patient Pic: Reuters
Pic: Reuters
The King also met the team behind a project called TRACERx, the single biggest investment in lung cancer research by Cancer Research UK.
It aims to investigate how lung cancer evolves and why treatments sometimes stop working.
The royals also gave presents to children on their way out – and received some flowers in return.
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The King announced he had cancer at the beginning of February.
Since then, charities have praised his openness and the impact it has had on raising awareness, along with the Princess of Wales talking about her own diagnosis.
Pic: PA
The King and Queen gave presents to children – and got some flowers in return
Ahead of Tuesday’s visit, a Palace spokesperson said: “His Majesty’s treatment programme will continue, but doctors are sufficiently pleased with the progress made so far that the King is now able to resume a number of public-facing duties.”
They added: “Forthcoming engagements will be adapted where necessary to minimise any risks to His Majesty’s continued recovery.”
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
The King has continued constitutional work behind the scenes and has held small meetings inside the palace, including with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
At Easter, he made a point of greeting crowds at St George’s Chapel in Windsor – seen as a hint that more public-facing engagements could soon follow.
Palace officials continue to plan for a busy summer and autumn but will work around the caveat that plans might need to change depending on the King’s health and doctors’ advice.
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The summer months are always a busy period for the Royal Family with events such as Trooping the Colour, Garter Day, and Royal Ascot.
There is also the prospect of overseas travel towards the end of the year, as Samoa is hosting the biennial meeting of Commonwealth leaders.
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