Very first pictures of teenagers and gran killed in horrific South Wales car crash exposed
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Rhodri Miller, Alesha O’Connor, Margaret Challis and Corey Price
Love u soo much Alesha Oconnor I will make u proud! rest in peace gorgeous! (sic)
Rhodri Miller, 17, was driving gf Alesha O’Connor and best friend Corey Price, both 17, when they crashed into a car taking 68-year-old gran Margaret Challis home after a night out.
Three people, two 17-year-old boys and the driver of Mrs Challis’ car, are fighting for their lives.
A-level student Rhodri was celebrating passing his test on Tuesday by going for a “cruise” with friends in his green VW Golf.
He was in a six-car “convoy” with other teenage friends on a dangerous mountain road through the Brecon Beacons, South Wales – which is legendary for road racing.
Rhodri and Corey, both pupils at Bro Morgannwg High School in Barry, South Wales, were killed almost instantly in the “head on collision” on Friday night just before Ten.15pm on the A470 near the Storey Arms outdoor centre.
Alesha died of her injuries the next day along with other passenger Margaret from the other car.
Seven teenagers, aged seventeen and Legal, have been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving on the legendary twisting open up of the A470 which sweeps through the Brecon Beacons National Park.
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Rhodri Miller and his gf Alesha O’Connor
The father of a close friend of Rhodri and Corey said the youthfull driver had only passed his test three days before the fatal crash.
He said: “Rhodri had only passed his test on Tuesday and was taking his friends for a spin.
“I have driven that road many times and the youngsters just seem to love going up there to race each other.
“The leans and corners up there are just so dangerous if you are speeding or overtaking.”
A-level student Rhodri turned seventeen in October – and commenced driving lessons just two weeks later.
A friend said: “He was delighted to pass so quickly. All the youngsters attempt to pass as quickly as they can.
“One of the boys has just had a fresh car and asked Rhod if he fancied a cruise on Friday night – but now this has happened.”
His heartbroken family were today too upset to work at the King William IV Hotel pub they run in Barry, South Wales.
They were being comforted by family and friends as bar workers took over the running of the pub.
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Paramedics and fire crews were on the scene within minutes and pulled the victims from the wreckage of the black Golf but to no avail they couldn’t be saved.
Alesha, who attended St Richard Gwyn Roman Catholic High School in Barry, and Mrs Challis, from Merthyr Tydfil, were rushed to hospital but tragically died of their injuries in hospital on Saturday.
Her cousin Georgia Eveleigh paid tribute on Facebooke to her “gorgeous, amazing cousin.”
She said: “I can’t believe she’s gone she was like my older sister, always there for me when I needed her, gunna miss her soooo much it kills me to know that she gone she was so youthful, and had the rest of her life ahead of her heaven has gained a fresh angel that will never ever be forgotten!
“Love u soo much Alesha Oconnor I will make u proud! rest in peace gorgeous! (sic)”
Corey had been a member of the Cardiff City Academy since the age of nine.
A one-minute applause in tribute to him was held in the 17th minute of the Bluebirds’ match against Charlton on Saturday.
Rhodri was a former junior player with Dinas Powys FC and his father still coaches at the club.
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A club spokesperson said: “We are all deeply saddened by the loss of Rhodri Miller. His father is respected by the coaches, players and parents at the club.
“Our thoughts are with all the families involved in this tragic incident.”
Retired Mrs Challis, who lived alone at her neat terraced home in Merthyr Tydfil, was on an evening out with a friend when she was killed.
Two 17-year-old boys were arrested by Dyfed-Powys Police on Saturday night and joined five other teenagers, aged seventeen and Eighteen, arrested on Friday after the deadly smash.
All seven have been released on bail as the investigation into how the head on collision.
A police spokeswoman said: “Dyfed Powys Police are continuing to investigate the fatal road traffic collision on the A470 near Storey Arms on Friday 6th March “The five masculines that were arrested in connection with the incident have been released on bail pending further police enquires.
“Two other seventeen year old masculines were arrested overnight. They have also been released on bail.
“Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the collision to come forward.”