'I'm in a nightmare' says mum of teenager found dead on north Wales camping trip

The mother of one of four teenagers found dead in a crash on a camping trip in north Wales has said she feels "like she's in a nightmare".

The bodies of Jevon Hirst, Harvey Owen, Wilf Fitchett and Hugo Morris, were found in an overturned, partially submerged car after last being seen in the Porthmadog and Harlech areas of Gwynedd on the morning of Sunday, 19 November.

Crystal Owen, Harvey's mother, said that "nothing would make the nightmare go away."

In a post on Facebook, Ms Owen wrote: "I feel like I’m in a nightmare I wish I could wake up from but I’m not.

"I just wanted to say I do appreciate people’s kindness but no amount of messages is going to help me overcome this. Nothing will make this nightmare go away."

Maddi Corfield posted a tribute online in the wake of the tragic loss of her boyfriend, Wilf.

“I love you so much, I’m going to miss you forever,” she said. “The sweetest and most loving boy I’ve ever known. I hope you know how much I love you, gorgeous.

"Thank you for all the time you’ve spent with me… thank you for loving me endlessly. I promise I’ll do the same for you, my sweet, sweet angel.”

She added: “I can’t imagine my world without you. I’m missing you so much already, but I am going to enjoy life the way you would’ve wanted, the way that you made me feel.”

Lisa Corfield, Maddi's mother, said Wilf was a "lovely kind young lad" who treated her daughter "in a way only a mother could hope her daughter be treated."

She added: "I am absolutely heartbroken for Maddi and all of the boys family's involved. Maddi is heartbroken and we will all miss you dearly Wilf.

"Thank you for bringing so much love and happiness into Maddi's life and for just always being there for her, I promise to look after her for you."

A massive search was launched to find the four teenagers after they failed to return home from an overnight trip to the Snowdonia area.

North Wales Police said the bodies were found inside the overturned car which left the A4085 at Garreg, near Tremadog, and was partially submerged in water.

The force added that they will be "continuing to carry out a detailed search of the area where the car was found" and "the A4058 will remain closed until all related property has been recovered."

Superintendent Owain Llewellyn, North Wales Police said: “Our thoughts remain with the families at this extremely difficult time and  I would like to thank the public for their continued patience and understanding."

Leading members of the Garreg community where the car was found have also paid tribute to the four teenagers.

Reverend Roland Barnes, Bro Moelwyn, said: "I don't know how they're coping, so sad, so tragic, but we felt it was important for us to come out here today and show our condolences to show that its touched the community and although we're not physically with the family, we're with the family in spirit.

"It was touching to see their photos. Young men full of life, sparkle in their eyes, coming out for an adventure in Wales, why not? We should encourage young people to jump in the car and have an adventure in Wales, it's a wonderful thing but unfortunately this time it's ended in tragedy."

June Jones, a local councillor, said the fact that the car was there for so long without people seeing it is "harrowing".

She said: "What people are feeling mostly is that they had gone past many many times without realising the car was there, and that's what's really harrowing, what's really upsetting people.

"They've been going past saying why couldn't I see something, why couldn't I help."

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sent his condolences to the families of the four boys who died.

Mr Sunak told the Commons: "I know the thoughts of the whole House will be with the family and friends of the four teenagers who died in a car accident in North Wales."

The restaurant where Harvey worked has closed for the day following the news of his death.

Dough & Oil, a Pizza restaurant in Shrewsbury, posted a tribute on Instagram describing Harvey as "easy-going, warm, funny, gentle, bright, hardworking and humble."

It said: "He joined us two years ago starting on the pot wash earning his stripes, before moving front of house and more recently into the kitchen.

"He gave it his all, developing a passion for dough and had dreams of one day opening his own bakery. This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago, showing his willingness to always play his part and be involved."Our love, thoughts and condolences go out to Harvey’s family and to those of his friends, their lives full of promise cut so tragically short. Harvey you’ll be forever in our hearts."

Shrewsbury Colleges Group, where the boys were A-level students, offered its “deepest condolences to the family and friends” of the teenagers and said it had put in place a range of support measures to help those affected.

Shropshire Council leader Lezley Picton said the news of their deaths was “heartbreaking“.

She said: “On behalf of Shropshire Council and I am sure I speak for everyone in Shropshire in expressing our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those found and we ask that they can be left in peace to grieve.

"We will be offering support from specialist teams to the communities around Shrewsbury College and Meole Brace Secondary School as many people will be affected by this.”

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