Police to be investigated after car crash victims were only discovered after 48 hours

South Wales Police and Gwent Police have been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct after more than 48 hours passed before the five victims of a car crash that killed three were found. 

Sophie Russon, 20, Eve Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21, Rafel Jeanne, 24, and Shane Loughlin, 32, were last seen at around 2:00 am on Saturday 4th March after travelling home from a night out in Newport by car.

The vehicle the five were travelling in was involved in a crash and was discovered in the St. Mellons area of Cardiff in the early hours of the morning on Monday. Reports suggest that a member of the public discovered the crashed vehicle before the police did. 

The bodies of Eve Smith, Darcy Ross and Rafel Jeanne were found at the scene of the accident on Monday whilst both Sophie Russon and Shane Loughlin remain in hospital in critical condition. 

Police officers have been accused of not taking the concerns of family members seriously in the lead-up to the discovery of the car.

Assistant Chief Constable, Jason Davies of South Wales Police stated: “To ensure independent oversight, South Wales Police has referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, as is usual in these circumstances” and added that “specialist officers are carrying out an investigation to piece together what has happened.”  

Images via social media and family appeals.

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