‘It’s too late for the boys, but may happen again’

The four friends died in November 2023 while on a camping trip

FAMILY HANDOUTS Composite of four individual shots, from left to right: Jevon Hirst, 16, sat behind a coffee table, wearing a cream stripped shirt and looking down. Harvey Owen, 17, in a dark crew neck jumper with white polo shirt collar. Wilf Fitchett in a black t-shirt with a pattern on the front, smiling into the camera. Hugo Morris, 18, in a white t-shirt with the blue straps of a backpack showing — The four friends died in November 2023 while on a camping trip

The mum of one of four boys who died when their car careered off a road during a camping trip said fencing must be restored as soon as possible to avoid another tragedy.

An inquest on Wednesday concluded Hugo Morris, 18, Harvey Owen, 17, Wilf Fitchett, 17, and Jevon Hirst, 16, died as a result of a traffic collision in Gwynedd, North Wales, last November.

The coroner is to issue a report for the prevention of future deaths concerning fencing or a safety barrier in the area and asked Gwynedd Council to provide details of the landowner within seven days.

Heather Sanderson, Wilf’s mum, said her “spirits were lifted” after seeing signage had been improved but much more needed to be done.

‘Who owns that fence?’

The boys drowned when the silver Ford Fiesta they were travelling in left the A4085 in Garreg, Llanfrothen.

The inquest heard Hugo lost control after taking the bend too fast, entered onto a grass verge, went down a steep embankment and then into a water-filled drainage ditch.

A fence bordering the road had not been repaired since a previous accident and Mrs Sanderson said she and her family believed a more robust barrier could have saved the boys’ lives.

“If all of those circumstances arose again then there’s a possibility that could happen again,” she said.

“It’s too late for Wilf and his friends. It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that could happen again even with improved signage.

“I want to know who owns that fence and I think it should be protecting that hazard.”

Two days rain meant the road was wet on the day of the tragedy

A red sign on a bridge that says "road ahead closed" and says the same phrase in Welsh. The road is narrow and has a deep right hand bend. There are trees surrounding the road on both sides, with a visible drop from the roadside on the right hand side. — Two days rain meant the road was wet on the day of the tragedy

Crystal Owen, mum of Harvey, is campaigning to introduce graduated driving licenses, which would place restrictions on new drivers aged between 17 and 19.

Senior coroner for north west Wales Kate Robertson said she would also be writing to the Department of Transport about the issue.

Mrs Owen told BBC Breakfast she was happy with the outcome from the coroner, but the Government still needed to act.

If introduced, there would be a minimum six month learning period, and would prohibit 17 to 19 year olds carrying passengers under the age of 25, with some exemptions.

“Every young person will still be able to drive, it’s not stopping them from going anywhere, it’s just making sure they do it safely, and not being responsible for people’s lives when they’re at most risk,” she said.

Wilf’s mum described him as “kind” with a “lovely sense of humour”

FAMILY HANDOUT Wilf Fitchett sitting on a chair in a cream t shirt and black trousers. He is holding a cream and black guitar and is looking down at it as he plays. There is an acoustic guitar hanging on the wall behind him — Wilf’s mum described him as “kind” with a “lovely sense of humour”

The friends from Shrewsbury, who were reported missing on the afternoon of 20 November, were found when recycling collector Sion Griffith and his colleague drove along the road at about 10:00 on 21 November.

Post-mortem evidence showed none of the teenagers had significant injuries but examinations of their lungs showed features of drowning.

Ms Robertson, said the signage in the area would not have given adequate warning of the upcoming bend.

Forensic collision investigator, Ian Thompson, told the court although the speed limit on the road was 60mph, the critical speed for the bend was 38mph.

He said: “The vehicle has come into the bend a little bit too quickly and has understeered.”

Bollards, additional road signs and chevrons have since been added to the road

A road surrounded by trees and bushes on either side bends to the right. There are dozens of red white and black bollards on the corner that disappear around the bend — Bollards, additional road signs and chevrons have since been added to the road

Mrs Sanderson paid an emotional tribute to Wilf, who was her youngest child.

She described him as a bright boy who did well at his GCSEs and was enjoying studying at A Level.

“I was very proud of Wilf, he was so kind and had a lovely sense of humour,” she said.

“He had many friends and a lovely girlfriend.”

He also played the guitar, liked music by King Krule and was intrigued by nature – always taking pictures of insects.

Wilf was “fascinated” by woodlice, and took this picture of one recently, his mother said

FAMILY HANDOUT A close up of Wilf's finger and thumb. There is a dark grey woodlouse on the end of his index finger. In the background are blurred trees — Wilf was “fascinated” by woodlice, and took this picture of one recently, his mother said

She added that he loved animals, particularly his corn snake and pygmy hedgehog.

“He loved and was loved by his sisters Freya and Danni,” she added.

Mrs Sanderson thanked the people of north Wales for “opening their hearts” to the family.

“It has been a salve to our broken hearts,” she said.

“We want to thank the emergency services, mountain rescue and the staff of Ysbyty Gwynned hospital who looked for Wilf and his friends, recovered them and cared for them until their families could be with them.”