The deaths of the four teenagers rocked the school community, which was already struggling to come to grips with the double tragedy.
Friends Jevon Hirst and Harvey Owen, both 16, Wilf Fitchett, 17, and Hugo Morris, 18, were found dead in an overturned car after they went missing on a weekend trip to Snowdonia, North Wales.
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Jevon Hirst, Harvey Owen, Wilf Fitchett and Hugo Morris tragically killed in horrific crash in North Wales Credit: Mirrorpix
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The teenager’s death has rocked their town – but the loss of two other schoolchildren was already sad Credit: Dan Jones Images
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Ben Worrall, 17, is one of two students who died just weeks ago. Credit: Facebook
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All the boys attended a school in Shropshire which was already mourning the loss of two more pupils.
Alfie McCormick, 18, and Ben Worrall, 17, died within days of each other just weeks ago and the local priest said the school community was still grieving.
Reverend Charlotte Gompertz, vicar of the church in Shrewsbury, said: “It’s a huge sixth form college where all the people here go round.
“They’ve had some tragedies in the last few months and this will be devastating for them.
“There have been two deaths recently, a motorcycle accident and a suicide.”
She said it was heartbreaking because the deaths “hit everyone”.
The priest continued: “This is a close-knit community and many young people have been at school together since they were four years old.
“It’s one of those places where everybody knows everybody.”
“Kind, funny” Ben Worrall was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident in the early hours of Sunday, October 1.
The mum of 17-year-old Vikki paid tribute to her first-born child in the days following the tragedy.
The Shropshire Star reported that she said: “Every day we spent with him, we were blessed.
“He was cheeky, funny, smart and very kind. His sense of humor was dark and sometimes made you wonder where he got it from, but he always made us laugh.”
Vikki continued: “He touched so many lives in the short time we had him. Ben loved his motorbike, nothing could stop him.
“Between passing his driving test, getting a job and finding a beautiful girlfriend, he said 2023 was the best year of his life and that’s what we’ll always remember him for.”
In an open letter sent last month, Shrewsbury Colleges Group principal James Staniforth announced the tragic deaths of Alfie and Ben.
A ‘DEVASTATING’ DOUBLE TRAGEDY
He wrote: “Alfie McCormick, an 18-year-old A-Level student at English and Welsh Bridge, tragically took his own life on Friday.
“Ben Worrall, a 17-year-old apprentice bricklayer was killed in a car crash in the early hours of Sunday morning. Our thoughts are with their families and friends at this terrible time.
“The loss of two members of our community in such a short space of time is devastating for all of us. We are working directly with the students and staff most affected and have put in place a range of support measures for our entire community.
“Students and staff have been encouraged to look out for each other and given guidance on who to contact if they need support or are concerned about a friend or colleague.”
Meanwhile, Hugo’s friend discovered that a fifth friend had planned to go on the trip – and canceled at the last minute.
Mimi Ropotka, 35, who worked with Hugo at Pret a Manger in Shrewsbury, told The Telegraph: “He can’t believe he’s lost a friend so suddenly and tragically.”
The heartbreaking news comes after witnesses revealed that Jevon, Harvey, Wilf and Hugo were “laughing and joking” moments before the tragic accident.
A frantic search was launched on Tuesday for the boys and their silver Ford Fiesta after they failed to return home.
Officers then tragically found the car partially submerged in water and on its roof while searching the Porthmadog area – and four bodies were confirmed to have been found.
Police fear the horrific accident happened shortly after the boys left one of their grandfather’s homes – just eight miles away – on Saturday night.
‘IT WILL NOT BE THE SAME’
It wasn’t until 3.10pm on Monday – more than 24 hours later – that police were told the boys were missing.
Tragically, on Tuesday, a passerby spotted the car and the bodies were found – meaning they may have been trapped upside down in the vehicle for 48 hours.
Yesterday, North Wales Police said officers were continuing to carry out a detailed search of the area where the car was found.
Tributes are still pouring in for the friends and the emotional teenagers were overcome with emotion as they visited the shrine set up for the boys.
Fellow student Flo, 17, said: “Life won’t be the same without them.”
“I knew them all and they were all such characters in the best possible way, and we loved them for it.”
Pal Lois Williams, 16, added: “They were unique in a way that we could all admire and we were proud to call them our friends.”
Inside the desperate search for boys
saturday evening
Harvey Owen’s mom says he left home Saturday night, telling her he was staying at a friend’s grandfather’s house.
He met his friends in Harlech at 11pm before the group traveled to Snowdonia the next morning.
On Sunday morning
Harvey’s mum said the last time he used his mobile phone was around lunchtime.
Monday
The friends disappeared at 15.10 when they did not return home.
Officers have issued an appeal for information – asking anyone who saw their silver Ford Fiesta to come forward.
Tuesday
12.00 hours
The police revealed that following a tip from a citizen, they found a car in which the teenagers were traveling.
4:30 p.m
Police confirmed that four bodies were pulled from the car after what they described as a ‘tragic accident’.
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Harvey Owen went missing with friends on SundayCredit: WNS
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Wilf Fitchett was among the four teenagers killed Credit: WNS
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Jevon Hirst traveled from the Welsh coastal areas of Harlech and PorthmadogCredit: WNS
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Hugo Morris and his friends were reportedly not experienced campers
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Drone footage of the scene in North Wales Credit: Dan Jones
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