08 March 2023 , 09:22
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The heartbroken dad of a young woman killed in a car crash has shared new photos of her in a devastating tribute.
Eve Smith, 21, died alongside childhood friend Darcy Ross, also 21, and Rafel Jeanne, 24, after the car they were travelling in left the road on the outskirts of Cardiff in the early hours of Saturday.
The new photo was issued by her father as a police watchdog has launched an investigation into two forces over the search for the group of missing friends amid allegations they did not take matters seriously.
It was 48 hours after the group was reported missing to police. that the crash scene was located, with three lying dead in the wrecked white Volkswagen Tiguan car alongside seriously injured 20-year-old Sophie Russon and Shane Loughlin, 32.
They remain in hospital fighting for their lives, with Sophie's describing how she lay suspended for hours among her dead friends and is "unrecognisable".
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Eve's grieving dad Everton posted a message to his daughter last night, describing the "numbness" he is feeling, adding: "I loved you more than words can say."
Everton Smith shared new photos of his daughter Eve (Facebook)He shared various photos of Eve and himself.
Writing on Facebook, he said: "It’s taken a couple of days and I just can’t believe what has happened, the pain and numbness constantly reminding me that I will never see my beautiful daughter Eve again.
"I would give anything to hear her sing a song again, fly high my queen , I loved you more than words can say and will cherish the 21 years I had with you bossing my life!
Tributes laid at the scene (John Myers)"My family & I would appreciate time to grieve and morn."
There had been widespread criticism - much coming from the victims' families - of the approach taken by police to the concerned calls about the missing group of friends.
The forces involved confirmed they referred themselves to the police watchdog in regard to their investigation.
Yesterday, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it was "urgently carrying out an assessment" of the referrals which were made by Gwent Police and South Wales Police on Tuesday.
In an update last night, the watchdog said it will be investigating the forces' response to the missing person reports.
The group were last seen inside the car at 2am on Saturday in CCTV footage taken at a petrol station in the Llanedeyrn area of Cardiff.
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They had travelled a substantial amount of miles, estimated at around 85, dropping off an unnamed man along the way.
The three women had been partying at the Muffler nightclub in Newport, Wales, and are understood to have met Rafel and Shane during the evening.
Emergency services at the scene in the St Mellons (PA)The group drove to Trecco Bay caravan park in Porthcawl at one stage before heading back to the Cardiff area where the car crashed.
Family and friends of the group have criticised Gwent and South Wales Police for their handling of the case.
They claim it was them who found the car after carrying out their own searches, and police had initially brushed off their missing person concerns.
Both forces have been referred to independent police watchdog the IOPC and an investigation has been launched.
Friends held a vigil, releasing balloons and setting off fireworks.