Wilfred Fitchett, Jevon Hirst, Hugo Morris and Harvey Owen

I am Kate Robertson, HM Senior Coroner for North West Wales

On 27 November 2023 I commenced an investigation into the deaths of Wilfred John Fitchett, Jevon Alexander Hirst, Hugo Oliver Morris and Harvey Graham Owen. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 16 October 2024.  A Road Traffic Collision conclusion was recorded with deaths for all four young men resulting from drowning.

The circumstances of the death are as follows :- Hugo Morris was aged 18 at the time of his death. On 19 November 2023 he was driving a motor vehicle and carrying three passengers who were aged 17 (Wilfred), 16 (Jevon) and 17 (Harvey), along the A4085 Garreg, Llanfrothen having been on a camping trip when the motor vehicle in question veered onto the nearside grass verge and entered into a water-filled drainage ditch which led to the deaths of all four young men, where the existing signage would not have given adequate warning of the upcoming bend. The motor vehicle with the four young men was not found until 21 November 2023.

During the course of the inquest, the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. CORONER’S CONCERNS During the course of the inquest, the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows  – Hugo was aged 18 at the time of his death following the collision and had passed his driving test on 23 May 2023. This was 6 months and 16 days prior to the collision. At the time of the collision, he was legally carrying 3 other young persons, his friends. Currently, there are no legal restrictions upon the licences of young and/or newly qualified drivers and the current vehicle licensing regime permits the carrying of young persons as passengers in circumstances such as these. It is noted that young drivers are exponentially more likely to be involved in a collision with each similar aged passengers in the car. I am concerned that deaths will continue to occur or will occur into the future where younger persons are carried in motor vehicles being driven by newly qualified and/or young drivers.

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you have the power to take such action.