Car crash teen died in the arms of colleagues
A TEENAGER studying at Coleg Menai and at the beginning of his career in the fire service died in the arms of off-duty colleagues who were the first on the scene when he was involved in a horrific car crash.
Trystan Rhun Roberts’ car smashed into a Mercedes, lifted into the air and collided with a wall outside a cafe on the A5 at Capel Curig.
The firefighters were in the area and battled to save the 19-year-old, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mr Roberts, of Faerdref, Cynwyd, near Corwen, an apprentice fleet technician with North Wales Fire And Rescue Service at Llandudno Junction, was believed to have been on his way to Coleg Menai when the accident happened.
Witness Robert Spencer relived the moments leading to the crash at an inquest in Ruthin last week.
Mr Spencer said he drove from Llanrwst to Betws-y-Coed and then along the A5 towards Capel Curig behind a Mercedes that was travelling within the speed limit. As the two vehicles approached Siabod Cafe the Mercedes indicated to turn right into the car park, and as it did Mr Spencer noticed a red car approaching behind him. “It was doing about 60mph when it went past me,” he said.
The red Seat Leon being driven by Mr Roberts collided with the Mercedes.
Its driver, Robert Gayle Browne, of Upton, Wirral, who was planning to go walking with friends in Snowdonia, said in a statement read at the hearing that he followed his usual procedure of indicatingi di ti bf before slowingl i d down t to t turn right,i ht th then looked in his wing mirror and back over his shoulder.
“I saw a red flash to my right which took me completely by surprise,” he said.
The off-duty firefighters were among the first on the scene and attempted to resuscitate Mr Roberts. “The people who came out of the cafe to assist did a good job,” said Mr Spencer.
Police collision investigator Gordon Saynor said road conditions were good and there was nothing wrong with the Seat. There was no alcohol or drugs in Mr Roberts’ system and it appeared he had either not noticed the Mercedes or thought he could overtake it.
Assistant coroner Nicola Jones, recording a conclusion of death as a result of a road traffic collision, said she hoped Mr Roberts’ family could gain some comfort from the fact that everything possible was done to try to save him following the crash on May 17 last year.