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Mourners gather for crash funeral | Mourners gather for crash funeral |
(about 6 hours later) | |
More than 1,000 mourners gathered for the two funerals of four teenage girls killed in a car crash on a mountain road in south Wales. | More than 1,000 mourners gathered for the two funerals of four teenage girls killed in a car crash on a mountain road in south Wales. |
There was one joint service for Louise Jones, 16 and Danielle Caswell, 15 and later another for Kayleigh Parry, 16, and Katie Roberts, 15. | There was one joint service for Louise Jones, 16 and Danielle Caswell, 15 and later another for Kayleigh Parry, 16, and Katie Roberts, 15. |
Their white coffins emerged from the church to Westlife's You Raise Me Up. | |
The four friends, pupils at Glyncoed Comprehensive School, died in the crash on 2 November. | The four friends, pupils at Glyncoed Comprehensive School, died in the crash on 2 November. |
The girls, who were passengers in the backseat, died on the B4560 Llangynidr to Beaufort road, near Ebbw Vale. | The girls, who were passengers in the backseat, died on the B4560 Llangynidr to Beaufort road, near Ebbw Vale. |
The 17-year-old driver and front seat passenger, another boy aged 17, were treated in hospital. Schools in the area closed so pupils can attend the services at the town's Christ Church. | The 17-year-old driver and front seat passenger, another boy aged 17, were treated in hospital. Schools in the area closed so pupils can attend the services at the town's Christ Church. |
Pupils and teachers from both Glyncoed and Ebbw Vale Comprehensive Schools attended the service, as well as staff from a number of local primary schools. | Pupils and teachers from both Glyncoed and Ebbw Vale Comprehensive Schools attended the service, as well as staff from a number of local primary schools. |
The Reverend Geoff Waggett conducted the service with his colleague the Reverend Jackie Carter. | The Reverend Geoff Waggett conducted the service with his colleague the Reverend Jackie Carter. |
A white coffin is carried from Christ Church to awaiting hearse | A white coffin is carried from Christ Church to awaiting hearse |
Cremations followed at Gwent Crematorium in Croesyceliog. | Cremations followed at Gwent Crematorium in Croesyceliog. |
Head teacher of Glyncoed Comprehensive, Colin James, read the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 13 verses four to eight. | Head teacher of Glyncoed Comprehensive, Colin James, read the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 13 verses four to eight. |
Dignitaries including Blaenau Gwent MP Dai Davies and Assembly Member Trish Law, plus senior representatives from both Gwent and Dyfed-Powys Police who are investigating the crash. | Dignitaries including Blaenau Gwent MP Dai Davies and Assembly Member Trish Law, plus senior representatives from both Gwent and Dyfed-Powys Police who are investigating the crash. |
Although the church can seat around 550, the services were relayed over loud speakers to a sizeable crowd outside who assembled in the rain. | Although the church can seat around 550, the services were relayed over loud speakers to a sizeable crowd outside who assembled in the rain. |
Speaking before the services, the Rev Waggett said: "I have never been involved in a situation like this before. | Speaking before the services, the Rev Waggett said: "I have never been involved in a situation like this before. |
"It is clearly a tragedy and a traumatic situation for the family and for the school and for the girls friends, and it has affected the whole town. | "It is clearly a tragedy and a traumatic situation for the family and for the school and for the girls friends, and it has affected the whole town. |
"We are a population of about 30,000 people and I have never known anything like this - it's been an outpouring of a mixture of grief, concern and community spirit." | "We are a population of about 30,000 people and I have never known anything like this - it's been an outpouring of a mixture of grief, concern and community spirit." |
Loudspeakers will relay the service to mourners outside | Loudspeakers will relay the service to mourners outside |
Opening a tribute to the girls, the Rev Carter said: "I want you to imagine for a moment, that you walk into a room and the room is empty except for a beautiful tapestry hanging on the wall. | Opening a tribute to the girls, the Rev Carter said: "I want you to imagine for a moment, that you walk into a room and the room is empty except for a beautiful tapestry hanging on the wall. |
"It is so striking that you cannot take your eyes away from it. | "It is so striking that you cannot take your eyes away from it. |
"As you look at this tapestry, you are aware that there are four characters, four young girls, four friends, all very different, but as you look at the picture, there is a balance and flow highlighting the beauty of the picture." | "As you look at this tapestry, you are aware that there are four characters, four young girls, four friends, all very different, but as you look at the picture, there is a balance and flow highlighting the beauty of the picture." |
The church was opened at 0830 GMT for prayers. | The church was opened at 0830 GMT for prayers. |
Roads in the town were expected to be closed before and after the funerals to allow mourners access to the church. | Roads in the town were expected to be closed before and after the funerals to allow mourners access to the church. |
A 17-year-old boy arrested after the crash has been released on bail after being questioned on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. | A 17-year-old boy arrested after the crash has been released on bail after being questioned on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. |