Snapchat video shows no dangerous driving before crash in North Wales that killed four boys, inquest hears

Hugo Oliver Morris, 18, Jevon Alexander Hirst, 16, Harvey Graham Owen, 17, and Wilfred John Fitchett, 17, were on their way to Snowdonia for a camping trip when their Ford Fiesta crashed near Tremadog, North Wales. The vehicle was found overturned and partially submerged in water on November 21, 2022, two days after the boys were reported missing.

During the inquest at Caernarfon, it was revealed that the boys, who were from Shrewsbury, had been driving to Jevon's grandfather’s house before planning to camp and hike. A major search operation was launched after they went missing on November 19.

Tragically, the boys were found drowned in a ditch near Llanfrothen. The crash occurred on the A4085, a rural road known for sharp bends, and the inquest heard evidence about the conditions at the time of the incident.

The Snapchat video, taken by Fitchett, showed the boys enjoying their journey and wearing seatbelts, with no indication of reckless driving by Hugo, who had passed his driving test six months earlier.

Evidence from North Wales Police collision investigator Ian Thompson suggested that while the road was wet, the weather conditions were not the primary cause of the crash. "I accept that speed could have been a factor," Thompson said, although he said no other serious collisions had been recorded at that location since 1994.

The car was discovered by a refuse collector, Sion Griffith, who spotted the overturned vehicle during his early morning rounds on November 21. After recognising the car’s registration plate from a police appeal about the missing boys, Griffith dialled 999. "I dialled 999 and requested to be put through to the police and explained the circumstances," he told the inquest, adding that police were on the scene within minutes.

Post-mortem evidence from a pathologist confirmed that all four boys died from drowning, with no significant injuries that would have caused their deaths. Hugo's toxicology report revealed low levels of cannabis and alcohol in his system, but not enough to impair his driving abilities.

Collision investigator Phillip Jones added that the car's rear tyres were under-inflated, which could have contributed to the loss of control, especially with four passengers in the vehicle. The speed limit on the road was 60mph, but Jones noted that the maximum safe speed for the corner where the crash occurred was around 38mph.

Gwynedd Council's senior traffic engineer, Andrew Gregson, was questioned about the road signage and whether "slow" signs should have been in place. He described this as a "subjective decision" and said that, in his view, the existing signage was sufficient. However, he acknowledged that chevrons had since been added to the road following the incident.

The boys' families raised concerns during the inquest, questioning whether additional safety measures such as fencing or guardrails could have prevented the car from entering the water-filled ditch, where it remained undiscovered for nearly two days.

Heather Sanderson, Wilf’s mother said: "My main concern is my son died in this crash. We went to the scene the day after the boys died. It’s too late for Wilf and his friends, but it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that it could happen again."

Senior Coroner for North West Wales, Kate Robertson, concluded the inquest with a finding of road traffic collision and highlighted several factors contributing to the boys' deaths.

She said: "At the time (of the crash) it was raining heavily and there were leaves on the road. The water level in the ditch had risen by a metre in the days prior. There was no 'slow' sign painted on the road. There were no identifiable pre-collision defects to the vehicle.”

She also pointed out that while the car’s rear tyres were under-inflated, this was not considered a significant factor in the crash. She added: "There is no evidence that (Hugo) was using his phone."

The coroner stated that she would be preparing "prevention of future death" reports, addressing concerns over young and newly qualified drivers carrying passengers, as well as writing to Gwynedd Council and the landowner about the potential need for fencing or guardrails at the crash site. "I find that all four young men would have died very soon following the collision, given the post-mortem findings and that they died by drowning," she said.

In closing, Robertson thanked the boys' families for their cooperation and paid tribute to the four young men, saying, "What has been apparent to me is that each of the young men were bright, loved by all their families and friends, and will be so sorely missed."

The inquest also heard moving tributes from each of the families at the start of the proceedings.