Cause of death revealed for four missing boys found in car after camping trip

Four boys who disappeared and were subsequently found dead on a camping trip in Wales died from drowning, a post-mortem has revealed.

Friends Jevon Hirst, 16, Harvey Owen, 17, Wilf Fitchett, 17, and Hugo Morris, 18 were all found dead in a silver Ford Fiesta on Tuesday 21 November near Tremadog in North Wales.

During a four-minute inquest hearing into the deaths, Kate Robertson, Coroner for North West Wales, attributed the deaths to drowning.

A major search operation was launched for the A-level students after they failed to return home to Shropshire from an overnight camping trip to the Snowdonia area.

A car was discovered overturned and partially submerged in water after leaving the road.

Coroner Ms Robertson confirmed that the deceased students were each formally identified by their parents.

She said: “The four young men were travelling in a vehicle along the A4085 at Llanfrothen when the vehicle has left the road. The circumstances of which resulted in the deaths of all four occupants. Post-mortem examinations have been undertaken and the provisional causes of death provided, pending inquests.”

She concluded: “I offer the families my sincerest condolences. These inquests will be adjourned pending completion of those further investigations.” No date has been set for the full hearings and a police investigation remains ongoing.

Flowers and tributes left at the English Bridge campus of Shrewsbury College where the four boys were A-level students

Superintendent Owain Llewellyn said in a statement to the media following the discovery: “Police officers attended and located a Ford Fiesta vehicle on its roof, partially submerged in water. Tragically, the bodies of four young males were recovered from within the vehicle. The families of the missing boys have been informed.

“At present, this appears to have been a tragic accident, and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the four young men at this very difficult time.”

Police urged the public for help in their investigation, calling for dashcam footage from anyone travelling on the A4085 between Penrhyndeudraeth and Beddgelert in either direction between 11am on Sunday, 19 November and 10am on Tuesday, 21 November.

In a touching tribute, Harvey’s mother Crystal Owen described him as “a unique and special person who touched so many people along the way”.

Harvey Owen, 17

“Laid back, charismatic, cheeky, a boy not of his time, he always thought outside the box, he was creative and funny. A boy that preferred to be outside and active. He was the most gentle soul, always feeling empathy for people and seeing the good in everyone. Quirky, a trendsetter, loving, pure and hilarious.”

Wilf’s girlfriend, Maddi Corfield, paid tribute to her partner online, writing: “I love you so much, I’m going to miss you forever. The sweetest and most loving boy I’ve ever known. I hope you know how much I love you, gorgeous.”

Shrewsbury Colleges Group, where the boys were A-level students, offered “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.

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