North Wales: Mum 'in a nightmare' as tributes to four teens pour in

The mother of one of the teenage boys who died while on a camping trip in Wales has said she feels like she is “in a nightmare” as the police probe into the deaths continues.

Crystal Owen, the mother of Harvey Owen, spoke about her grief after the body of her son was found with friends Jevon Hirst, Wilf Fitchett and Hugo Morris were recovered from a silver Ford Fiesta in Snowdonia, North Wales, on Tuesday.

They were the subject of a major search of they failed to return home from an overnight camping trip in the area.

On Tuesday North Wales Police confirmed that their bodies had been found inside the car, which left the A4085 at Garreg, near Tremadog.

Their car was found overturned and partially submerged in water, police said.

The probe into why the car left the road are under way, the force added.

After the tragic news of their deaths was confirmed, tributes to the teenagers have poured in from friends and family.

Who were the four teenagers?

Jevon Hirst, Harvey Owen, Wilf Fitchett (who was initially named by police as Wilf Henderson) and Hugo Morris were all A-level students at Shrewsbury Colleges Group.

Two of the boys were aged 17 and the others 16 and 18.

It is believed that they had travelled from their homes in Shrewsbury on Saturday night for an overnight camping trip, and arrived at Harlech at around 11pm.

According to the Daily Mail, they stayed at an address in Harlech before heading to Snowdonia on Sunday morning.

They were reported missing on Monday by a parent of one odd the boys after they did not arrive back home on Monday afternoon.

Tributes pour in

Shrewsbury Colleges Group offered “deepest condolences to the family and friends” of the teenagers and has put in place a range of support measures to help those affected.

Trinity Churches said it would offer “time and space to pray” at the Trinity Centre in Meole Brace from 9am on Wednesday, while Shrewsbury Abbey is open all day for prayer and reflection.

Maddi Corfield, the girlfriend of Fitchett, described him as "the sweetest and most loving boy I've ever known", adding: "I hope you know how much I love you, gorgeous”.

She added: "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 said.

"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."

Her mother, Lisa Corfield, 37, wrote on Facebook: “I am absolutely heartbroken for Maddi and all of the families involved.

“Wilf was such a lovely, kind lad and treated Maddi in a way only a mother could hope her daughter be treated.”

Crystal Owen, the mother of Owen, said she felt like she was “in a nightmare” after her son’s death was confirmed.

Posting on social media, she 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."

Beth Head, 18 and a friend of Morris, described him as "a lovely and funny young lad" saying he would be missed deeply.

She said: "I will forever cherish all the memories and laughs we had a work together [sic], my thoughts go to his family at this time."

Local community reacts

The wider community where the teenage boys lived has reflected on the news of the teenagers’ deaths.

Shrewsbury Town Council said on X: "The mayor [Becky Wall] is deeply saddened by the tragic news about the four students from Shrewsbury. Her heart goes out to their family and friends who have suffered such immeasurable loss and she sends her deepest condolences.

"May the Shrewsbury community unite at this terrible time."

A statement from Shrewsbury Town Football Club released on Facebook said: "The thoughts and condolences of Shrewsbury Town Football Club are with everyone affected by the heartbreaking and devastating news coming out of North Wales."

Bagley Sports & Social Club said: "Thoughts with all the families of these four young men who tragically lost their lives."

"We send them our deepest sympathies."

Shrewsbury Cathedral offered their “thoughts and prayers” to the loved ones of the four boys.

The Coracle Inn, a pub situated where the boys lived in Shrewsbury, said in a statement: "Such heartbreaking news across the shire today.

"Our love and thoughts go out to all these poor boys' family and friends."

Liz Saville Roberts, MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, and local Senedd member Mabon ap Gwynfor said in a joint statement: “This news is truly heartbreaking and foremost as parents ourselves our thoughts go out to the families and friends of the four young men whose lives have been lost in this tragic accident...

“No words can sufficiently reflect the sorrow that this news brings to our whole community.”

First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford said it was “devastating news” to hear of the boys’ deaths.

He wrote on X: “My thoughts are with their family and friends during this incredibly difficult time as they deal with the unimaginable.”

Local councillor June Jones told Sky News that the “whole area is in complete shock” and “everybody's feelings are very much with the families at this time”.