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Mourners gather for crash funeral Mourners gather for crash funeral
(about 1 hour later)
Around 1,000 mourners have gathered for the funerals of four teenage girls, killed in a car crash on a mountain road in south Wales. Around 1,000 mourners have gathered for the first of two funerals for four teenage girls killed in a car crash on a mountain road in south Wales.
One joint service has taken place for Louise Jones, 16 and Danielle Caswell, 15. Another for Kayleigh Parry, 16, and Katie Roberts, 15, begins at 1400 GMT.One joint service has taken place for Louise Jones, 16 and Danielle Caswell, 15. Another for Kayleigh Parry, 16, and Katie Roberts, 15, begins at 1400 GMT.
Two white coffins emerged from the church to Westlife's Your Raise Me Up.Two white coffins emerged from the church to Westlife's Your Raise Me Up.
The four friends - pupils at Glyncoed Comprehensive School in Ebbw Vale - died in the crash on 2 November.The four friends - pupils at Glyncoed Comprehensive School in Ebbw Vale - died in the crash on 2 November.
The school has closed so pupils can attend the services at Christ Church where hundreds of children had come to pay their last respects. The girls, who were passengers in the backseat, died on the B4560 Llangynidr to Beaufort road, near Ebbw Vale.
The girls were killed in a road crash 12 days ago on a mountain road outside 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.
Reverend Geoff Waggett will conduct both funeral services with his colleague Reverend Jackie Carter. 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.
Reverend Geoff Waggett conducted the service with his colleague Reverend Jackie Carter.
The four girls were all pupils at Glyncoed Comprehensive SchoolThe four girls were all pupils at Glyncoed Comprehensive School
Cremations will follow at Gwent Crematorium in Croesyceliog.Cremations will follow at Gwent Crematorium in Croesyceliog.
Both services will have hymns chosen by the family and Glyncoed head teacher Colin James is expected to read a verse from the Bible. 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 also attended.
Although the church can seat around 550, the services are being relayed over loud speakers to people outside.Although the church can seat around 550, the services are being relayed over loud speakers to people outside.
Speaking on Tuesday morning, Rev Waggett said: "I have never been involved in a situation like this before.Speaking on Tuesday morning, 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 outsideLoudspeakers will relay the service to mourners outside
"There has been a demonstration of love that has pervaded the whole community."There has been a demonstration of love that has pervaded the whole community.
"Everybody has been affected by this tragedy. It is something that has touched the whole community.
"It is a tremendous tragedy but we are seeing such love within the community and the valleys' spirit is showing its love and compassion for the families," he added."It is a tremendous tragedy but we are seeing such love within the community and the valleys' spirit is showing its love and compassion for the families," he added.
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 car crash in which the girls died 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.
    The driver and another boy, also 17, who was a front seat passenger, were both treated in hospital after the crash on the B4560 Llangynidr to Beaufort road on 2 November.
    The four girls were travelling in the back seat of the car.