Updated statement on fatal road traffic collision on the A48 in the St Mellons area of Cardiff

South Wales Police is continuing to investigate a fatal road traffic collision on the A48 in the St Mellons area of Cardiff.

Emergency services discovered a Volkswagen Tiguan vehicle at 12.15am on Monday 6th March after the police helicopter, police and fire officers were deployed to the scene.

Formal identification has taken place this afternoon and three people who died in the collision have been confirmed as being Rafel Jeanne, aged 24, from Cardiff, Eve Smith, 21, from Newport, and Darcy Ross, 21, from Newport.

Two further people were taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff where they remain in a critical condition.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances of the incident, including when the collision took place. The five individuals were the subject of enquiries by Gwent Police following a missing person report made during the evening of Saturday 4th March. A subsequent missing person report in respect of one of the individuals was made to South Wales Police on Sunday 5th March. Referrals have been made by Gwent Police and South Wales Police to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

The last confirmed sighting of the five was during the early hours of Saturday morning.

Assistant Chief Constable Jason Davies of South Wales Police said: “Our thoughts are with the families of all those affected by this tragic incident. Specialist officers are carrying out an investigation to piece together what has happened. Family liaison officers are supporting the families involved at what must be a hugely difficult time for them.

“To ensure independent oversight, South Wales Police has referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, as is usual in these circumstances.”