Two survivors of the Cardiff crash, which killed three, are still in hospital

Three people killed in an accident in Cardiff that left two others fighting for their lives have been pronounced dead at the scene, an inquest opened at the South Wales Central Coroner’s Court has heard.

Rafel Jeanne (24), Eve Smith (21) and Darcy Ross (21) died in the collision on the A48 near the Borough of St Mellons.

Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32, were seriously injured and remain at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

The five were spotted on Monday March 6, about 46 hours after the crash at 2.03am on Saturday March 4.

Gwent Police and South Wales Police have been criticized over the long time it has taken to locate the group and are under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Assistant Coroner David Regan opened the inquests at a hearing in Pontypridd on Friday.

The court was confirmed that all three victims “were involved in a road traffic accident on the A48 St Mellons, Cardiff and were pronounced dead at the scene”.

The victims were identified by relatives.

Autopsies were being carried out at the University Hospital of Wales, but pathologist Dr. Stephen Leadbeater did not provide a preliminary cause of death pending further investigation of histology and toxicology.

Mr Regan adjourned all three inquiries pending further investigation. A date for the investigation has not yet been set.

The coroner added: “I send my condolences to the families of Mr Jeanne, Ms Smith and Ms Ross.”

The group had spent an evening at The Muffler Social Club in Maesglas, Newport on Friday March 3 and then traveled just under 40 miles to Trecco Bay Caravan Park in Porthcawl where they are said to have spent some time in one of the caravans on site.

While there, a noise complaint about the group was filed with the park’s security lodge.

The group left a short time later and were last seen around 2am in the Pentwyn area of ​​Cardiff after dropping off a sixth passenger.

After they failed to return home, family members of the victims reported them missing.

According to Gwent Police, the first missing person report was made at 7.34pm on Saturday.

The force did not release a public appeal for missing persons as of 11 p.m. Sunday.

The five victims and the Volkswagen Tiguan they were traveling in were found by search parties just after midnight on Monday.

The car had veered off a driveway approaching a roundabout and came to a stop in a small grove of trees, shielded from the view of other motorists, nearby homes, and a busy garden center.

Ms Smith’s father Everton Smith told the BBC his daughter is “everything a father could ask for” and “nothing will be the same” without her.

In a tribute on Facebook, Ms Ross’ father wrote: “Words cannot describe how I feel losing you so young, memories of my beautiful baby, of the stunning woman you have transformed into – your smile will become my smile never forget and cherish forever.

“Your sense of humor, personality and beautiful face will forever cherish Dada.”

Mr Jeanne’s sister, Ffion Actie, told Sky News she was “heartbroken” and described her brother as “happy, loving, bubbly and very, very popular”.

A friend of the women involved in the crash, Tamzin Samuels, 20, said: “They were really popular girls, the life of the party.

“Darcy was known to be a wild child, loving life and living life to the fullest, and she didn’t care what anyone thought of her. She was great.

“Eve had a smile that could light up a room as soon as she walked in. A really feisty, independent girl, but everyone loved her just the same.”

The investigation continues.

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