A boy who was meant to be in the car which crashed in North Wales and killed four teenagers is said to be 'in shock' following the deaths.
Jevon Hirst, Harvey Owen, Wilf Henderson and Hugo Morris were found in a silver Ford Fiesta that was partially submerged in water on Tuesday (21 November).
The lads, aged between 16 and 18, had been reported missing after they vanished during a camping trip to Snowdonia.
Advert
A desperate search was launched for the pals before their vehicle was tracked down in the Porthmadog area.
The weather conditions on Sunday - when the teens lost contact with their loved ones - are said to have been 'brutal', according to locals.
It is thought that the car they were travelling in veered off the A4085 and flipped into a flooded ditch.
It has since emerged that their was a fifth boy who was supposed to join them for the fateful camping trip, but he pulled out at the last minute.
Advert
The unnamed pal, who is reportedly a close friend of Hugo's, is still 'in shock' following the devastating crash that has rocked the UK.
The 19-year-old's father explained he had been friends with the teen since primary school and they had been working at a local cafe together.
The dad told The Sun: "My son is still in shock.
"We all knew Hugo and we feel we have lost a member of our family."
He said it would take 'a long time' for his son to come to terms with losing his longtime friend.
Advert
Another woman who worked with Hugo, Mimi Ropotka, told The Daily Telegraph that the 19-year-old had changed his mind at the last minute and chose to go on a different camping holiday.
She said the boy was in a 'really bad way' and 'can't believe he has lost his friend so suddenly and tragically'.
Harvey's mother, Crystal Owen, has since shared a tribute to her 'special' son as details of the crash are still emerging.
She said: "I know it sounds like a cliche, but Harvey was a unique and special person who touched so many people along the way.
Advert
"Laid back, charismatic, cheeky, a boy not of his time, he always thought outside the box, he was creative and funny.
"The fact that Harvey will always be 17 is unbearable to think of and even harder to accept.
"I’ve lost my boy, the boy I absolutely adored, and I can’t accept that I won’t be able to hold him again or tell him I love him again."
Olivia Burke