Three young friends were killed as they traveled home from a funeral when their car “split in half” after hitting a bus, an inquest heard on Friday.

Driver Jesse Owen, 18, was over the drink-drive limit when he got behind the wheel of an Audi A1 carrying six people in total – even though the vehicle was designed to take a maximum of five.

Jesse was killed in the collision alongside champion kickboxer Callum Griffiths, 19, and Morgan Smith, 18, who all died from their injuries after he was seen driving at ‘very high speed’ in the number plate car customized and closed windows.

The collision happened at Coedely, near Tonyrefail, on December 11 last year.

The inquest heard the six had attended a funeral for the father of the front-seat passenger, Ellis Williams, before going to a pub and a working-class club where they had three pints each.

Driver Jesse Owen, 18, was over the legal drink-drive limit when his car crashed into a bus, killing him and two friends, an inquest heard on Friday. They were returning from a funeral

Callum Griffiths, 19, also died in the crash on December 11, 2023.

Pictured: A map of the area where the horror crash happened last December in south Wales

Survivor Ellis said in a statement that he remembered Jesse driving “fast” before reaching a bend where they saw the bus coming straight at them.

Ellis said: “I didn’t pay too much attention to what the lads were drinking because it was my dad’s funeral.

“Jesse was going to lead us.” He wasn’t going to go out with us because he had work in the morning.

“They were big guys so they would have been stacked on top of each other at the back.

“I put my seat belt on, I don’t know if the guys in the back had their seat belts on. I don’t know if Jesse was wearing a seat belt. I didn’t pay attention.

Ellis said: “I thought Jesse was going fast but I wasn’t worried. We rounded the bend and heard Sam say “woah woah” before the bend.

“I didn’t realize what was going on, I looked to my right and saw that Jesse looked scared.

“A car pulled out around the corner and Jesse tried to get back in.

“I knew we were all going to hit the bus – I held the side door.

“When we hit the bus, Jesse’s side made the first contact with the bus. My airbag went off and I hit my head on it.

“I looked to my right and no one was sitting next to me. I looked back and none of the boys were there. The car was split in half, it was in two parts.

– I could hear people screaming. I didn’t see where anyone was thrown.

In his statement to police, Ellis recounted how he walked to the scene of the accident and saw his friends on the ground.

The inquest heard that before the accident, Jesse texted his mother to say his friends were going to Cardiff as he would not be going out drinking because he had work the next day.

However, the Pontypridd hearing was told that a post-mortem examination found he had 113mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 80 mg.

A waitress said she served the group at least three drinks each.

Callum Griffith’s family have paid tribute to the world kickboxing champion, who had also represented Wales in competitions around the world.

They were in the car together on the way back from the funeral when it crashed with the Stagecoach bus at Coedely, near Tonyrefail, on December 11 last year.

In a statement, Jesse’s parents said he was a “careful and considerate” driver who they did not believe would have acted recklessly at the wheel.

But witnesses said they were shocked by the speed of the Audi A1 as it crossed the South Wales Valley roads moments before the crash.

Huw John said he was walking his dog when a friend pointed out the car saying: “Look at the bloody speed it’s going”.

Mr John said he recognized the car’s personalized plates as it “drove past us” as belonging to Jesse before leaving the site.

He added: “I remember thinking ‘Jesus Christ that car was going too fast’.”

Jesse’s father, Justin, said that despite his son being a relatively new driver, he was “experienced” behind the wheel and competent.

He said: “We can honestly say he was a safe, attentive and considerate driver. Living in a small community, if he was driving anti-socially, we would have heard about it.

“If speed was a factor, we’d be surprised by that because Jesse just wasn’t known for driving like that by us or anyone we know.

“I trusted Jesse because I knew him as a person and I knew his character. He was a good person with a kind heart, generous and a loyal friend.

He said he knew Jesse and his friends were going to a vigil, but Jesse “only drank occasionally and wasn’t a heavy drinker.”

He added: “We don’t feel he was anywhere near the legal alcohol limit because we’ve talked about drink driving and the dangers of it all your life.

“He may have had a drink or two but when Claire texted him after work he said he was taking the boys to Cardiff but not drinking with them as he had work in the morning.”

The other two survivors have been named as 18-year-old Sam Griffiths and 19-year-old Lucas Vaughan.

Callum, from Porth, died from a head injury at 8pm, while Morgan, from Clydach Vale, died at 8.09m from injuries to his face and neck.

Driver Jesse, from Penygraid, died from head and chest injuries.

The hearing, in Pontypridd, continues.

In police tributes, Jesse’s family said he had “a presence that would light up any room”.

They added: “He was loved by all who had the honor of knowing him. He was the most loving, happy, calm and beautiful soul.

“He would do absolutely anything for anyone. He loved his family and friends and was loyal to the end.

“Jesse enjoyed boxing, watches and socializing with friends.

“He has left a huge void in all of our hearts and our lives will never be the same without him.

“He will be greatly missed by his parents, grandparents, siblings and extended family.

“We’re all really heartbroken.”

Morgan’s family described him as “a popular boy” and a “much loved son, brother, nephew, niece and cousin”.

They said: “Morgan was best known as a talented boxer who had previously won a title in Wales. He was a rising star with a promising boxing career ahead of him.

“We as a family are devastated by the loss of Morgan, we are left with a void that can never be filled. We love you, our boy.

“We want to thank all the emergency services that attended the scene.

“Please respect our privacy as we mourn the loss of Morgan.”

Shortly after the tragedy, Morgan’s family gathered in the village of Coedely, near Tonyrefail, just four miles from their homes in the Tonypandy area of ​​the Rhondda.

Speaking at the scene, his aunt Amy Smith said: “Any time of year it would be heartbreaking, but more so at this time of year.

“We can’t celebrate Christmas this year. But we will be together and do our best.’

She added: “He was a nice and caring boy, liked by everyone. He didn’t have a bad word to say about anyone.

The family of Callum Griffiths, 19, from Porth, mum Natalie, dad Lee and Callum’s sister Erin, 15, said: “Callum had the most beautiful smile that would light up a room. He was the most precious gift of a son and our love is endless.

“Our hearts were broken into a million pieces, broken beyond repair. He was so loving and had a caring soul. He left a hole in our hearts that cannot be filled.

“Callum was a World Kickboxing Champion and won numerous gold medals and represented Wales in various countries around the world.

“Callum qualified as a barber just over a year ago. He was a passionate, hardworking and dedicated barber. And we are very proud of him. We are proud of all he has achieved.

“We love you, ‘Champion.’

A joint statement issued by the teenager’s former schools at the time said: “The school communities of Porth Community School, Tonyrefail Community School and Ysgol Nantgwyn are completely devastated by the news that former pupils were involved in a fatal incident last night in Coedely.

“Pupils and staff at all our schools extend our sincere condolences and sympathies to the families of the former pupils who have died.”