Wales crash: Full timeline of events in Cardiff crash that left three dead and two seriously injured

Three people died and two were left seriously injured following the crash. Credit: Social media

A major investigation has been launched after three people died and two were left seriously injured after a fatal car crash.

Darcy Ross, 21, and Eve Smith, 21, both from Newport, as well as Rafel Jeanne, 24, from Cardiff, died following the incident off the A48 in St Mellons, Cardiff.

Sophie Russon, 20, from Newport and Shane Loughlin, 32, from Cardiff, were left in a critical condition and remain in hospital with serious injuries.

The group were found in the early hours of 6 March - almost 48 hours after they were last seen with questions being raised by some over the police response.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has since confirmed it will investigate Gwent Police and South Wales Police's handling of the events and their actions following missing person reports being filed.

As the investigation continues, here's an overview of what we know so far.

The group of five were discovered in a Volkswagen Tiguan almost 48 hours after they were last seen.

  • Timeline of events

Friday night: The three women, Miss Ross, Miss Smith and Miss Russon, visited The Muffler bar for a night out in Maesglas in Newport.

They then travelled 35 miles west to Trecco Bay Holiday Park in Porthcawl in a Volkswagen Tiguan, along with Mr Loughlin and Mr Jeanne.

Saturday morning: The group then drove back to Newport through Cardiff, where the last confirmed sighting of the five people was at 2am on Saturday 4 March in Pentwyn.

South Wales Police believe the collision occurred during the early hours of Saturday, with the exact time set to be confirmed after investigating CCTV and number plate recognition technology.

Saturday: Over the course of the day, friends and family of the group became worried after being unable to contact them. They began to appeal for help on social media.The first missing person report was confirmed to be made to Gwent Police at 7.34pm on Saturday 4 March, while further missing person reports were made to Gwent Police at 7.43pm and 9.32pm that evening.

Sunday: A further missing persons report in respect of one of the individuals was made to South Wales Police at 5.37pm on Sunday 5 March, the force said.At 11.50pm on Sunday, South Wales Police say the police helicopter was requested to search an area of Cardiff which resulted in a vehicle being located in a wooded area off the A48.Monday morning: Gwent Police officers on the ground said they had sight of a Volkswagen Tiguan at 12:02am on Monday 6th March, and this culminated in a log being created by South Wales Police at 12:15am.

The vehicle, which is believed to have come off the dual carriageway and crashed into trees, was discovered in the St Mellons area of Cardiff in a wooded area immediately next to the A48.

By the time the Volkswagen Tiguan was found, it was almost 48 hours after the group was last seen.At this stage, police believe only one vehicle to be involved.

  • Who was involved?

The crash involved a group of five people: Sophie Russon, 20, Darcy Ross, 21, and Eve Smith, 21, all from Newport, as well as Rafel Jeanne, 24, and Shane Loughlin, 32, from Cardiff.

They had all been reported missing by family and friends after going out on Friday night.

Police confirmed on Monday afternoon that Miss Ross, Miss Smith and Mr Jeanne had died.

Miss Russon and Mr Loughlin survived, but are in a critical condition whilst being treated for serious injuries in hospital.

On Monday, a family member of Miss Russon told ITV News that she was "through the worst of it" and "pulling through following surgery".

The vehicle is believed to have travelled from Newport to Porthcawl, before heading back to Newport through Cardiff.

  • Police response

Family and friends of those involved in the incident have criticised the police response publicly and on social media.

A friend of the three women claimed it was members of the public searching who found them and not the police.

Tamzin Samuels, 20, said: “The search party found the girls before the police found the girls.

“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.”

Meanwhile, the family of Eve Smith urged police to be given time and space to investigate what happened.

In a statement from the solicitor of Miss Smith’s family, the family describe it as an “extraordinarily difficult time” and ask for the privacy to be "allowed to grieve in peace."

Tributes have been paid by friends and family of Darcy Ross, Rafel Jeanne and Eve Smith. Credit: ITV Wales

The statement reads: “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."

A spokesperson for South Wales Police, the force leading the investigation, explained: "The five individuals were the subject of inquiries by Gwent Police following a missing person report made on Saturday evening."

It added: “A subsequent missing person report in respect of one of the individuals was made to South Wales Police on Sunday 5 March.”

The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), has confirmed it will investigate the police forces' handling of events.IOPC Director, David Ford, said that the investigation is "at a very early stage."

He said: "We will be contacting the families involved to express our sympathies, explain our role and set out how our investigation will progress.

"We are aware of the significant community concern about the tragic events that have unfolded and would like to assure everyone that we will conduct a thorough and timely investigation."

Enquires are ongoing.

Hundreds of people gathered on Tuesday night to remember the victims

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  • Tributes

Family and friends of those involved, including the three individuals to have died, have paid tribute on social media. Flowers, balloons and notes have also been left at the scene of the crash.

Hundreds of people attended a vigil on Tuesday evening which saw fireworks and balloons being let off.

Meanwhile, the former school of Rafel Jeanne has paid tribute to a "joyful" and "popular" pupil who was a "very sincere friend."

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hoborough of Gwent Police said: “This is an extremely sad situation, and our thoughts are with the families and friends of each of the young people involved.

"We will continue to support the investigation and would ask members of the public to refrain from speculation during this period.” 

Tributes to three killed in car crash after night out