Deaths of teens killed in horror North Wales crash latest tragedy to hit school after two other boys died within months
THE deaths of four teens has rocked a school community that was already struggling to come to grips with a double tragedy.
Pals Jevon Hirst and Harvey Owen, both 16, Wilf Fitchett, 17, and Hugo Morris, 18, were found dead in an upside-down car after they vanished on a trip to Snowdonia, North Wales at the weekend.
The boys all studied at Shrewsbury Colleges Group, which had already been mourning the loss of two other pupils.
Alfie McCormick, 18, and Ben Worrall, 17, died days apart just weeks ago, and a local vicar today said the school community was still grieving.
The Rev. Gompertz, vicar of Oxon Parish Church, said: “It is a huge sixth form college where all people go round here.
“They have had some tragedies over the last couple of months and this will be devastating for them.
“There were two deaths very recently, a motorbike accident and a suicide.”
She said it was heartbreaking as the deaths were “impacting everyone”.
The vicar continued: “This is a close-knit community and many of the young people have been at school together since they were four years old.
“It’s one of those places where everybody knows everybody.”
“Kind, funny” Ben Worrall devastatingly died in a motorbike crash in the early hours of Sunday, October 1.
The 17-year-old’s mum Vikki paid tribute to her firstborn in the days after tragedy struck.
The Shropshire Star reported she said: “Every day we spent with him, we were blessed.
“He was cheeky, funny, clever, and so very kind. His sense of humour was dark and sometimes made you think, where does he get it from, but he always made us laugh.”
Vikki continued: “He touched the lives of many in the short time we had him. Ben loved his motorbike, nothing could stop him.
“Between passing his driving test, getting a job, and finding a beautiful girlfriend, he said 2023 was the best year of his life, and that’s how we will always remember him.”
In an open letter sent last month, school headteacher James Staniforth announced the tragic deaths of Alfie and Ben.
‘DEVASTATING’ DOUBLE TRAGEDY
He wrote: “Alfie McCormick, an 18-year-old A Level student at English and Welsh Bridge, tragically took his own life on Friday.
“Ben Worrall, a 17-year-old apprentice bricklayer was killed in a road traffic accident in the early hours of Sunday morning. Our thoughts are with their families and friends at this dreadful time.
“The loss of two members of our community in such a short period of time is devastating for us all. We are working directly with students and staff who are the most affected and have put in place a range of support measures for all our community.
“Students and staff have been encouraged to look out for each other and given guidance on who to speak to if they require support or if they are concerned about a friend or colleague.”
The heartbreaking news comes as it was today revealed by witnesses Jevon, Harvey, Wilf and Hugo had been “laughing and joking” moments before the tragic crash.
Yesterday a frantic hunt was launched for the lads and their silver Ford Fiesta after they failed to return home.
Cops then tragically found the car partially submerged in water and on its roof while searching in the Porthmadog area – and it was confirmed four bodies were found.
Police fear the horrific accident took place not long after the boys left one of their grandad’s homes – just eight miles away – on Saturday night.
‘WON’T BE THE SAME’
It wasn’t until 3.10pm on Monday – more than 24 hours later – that cops were told the boys were missing.
Tragically, on Tuesday a passerby spotted the car and the bodies were found – meaning they may have been trapped upside down in the vehicle for 48 hours.
This morning North Wales Police said its officers are continuing to carry out a detailed search of the area where the car was found.
Tributes are still streaming in for the pals, with emotional teens seen overcome with emotion as they visited a shrine set up for the boys.
Fellow student Flo, 17, said: “Life won’t be the same without them.”
“I knew them all and they were all such characters in the best way possible, and we loved them for it.”
Pal Lois Williams, 16, added: “They were unique in a way we could all admire and were proud to call them our friends.”
Inside the desperate hunt for the boys
Saturday night
Harvey Owen’s mum says he left home on Saturday night, telling her he was staying at a friend’s grandfather’s house.
He met his friends in Harlech at 11pm before the group traveled to Snowdonia the next morning.
Sunday morning
Harvey’s mum said he last used his mobile phone at around lunchtime.
Monday
The pals were reported missing at 3.10pm when they failed to return home.
Cops launched an appeal for information – asking anyone who had seen their silver Ford Fiesta to get in touch.
Tuesday
12.00pm
Police revealed that following information from a member of the public, they had found the car the teenagers were travelling in.
4.30pm
Cops confirmed four bodies were recovered from the car after what they described as a ‘tragic accident’.