FOUR candles were lit in memory of four boys who lost their lives on a camping trip.
The bodies of Jevon Hirst, Harvey Owen, Wilf Fitchett and Hugo Morris were recovered from a silver Ford Fiesta in Eryri on Tuesday, November 21.
A search was launched for the teenagers after they failed to return home from the trip to North Wales.
North Wales Police said the bodies were found inside the overturned car which was found partially submerged in water.
The car had left the A4085 at Garreg, near Tremadog.
St Grwst Church, a Grade I listed parish church in Llanrwst, posted on social media late yesterday afternoon: "Such sad news coming from Porthmadog. Just leaving four candles burning in St Grwst's Church this evening."
Readers have been paying tribute to the teenagers on our Facebook pages. One was aged 16, two were aged 17 and one was aged 18.
Readers can sign our book of condolences here.
One person posted: "Absolutely heartbreaking. My sincere condolences go out to each of the boys families, may you forever rest in peace."
Another person said: "Thinking of all their family and friends and also the members of the emergency services."
Another person wrote: "Four young beautiful angels taken way too soon."
Another posted: "What an awful tragedy, thoughts and love to the families involved."
Speaking outside North Wales Police HQ in St Asaph just after 4.30pm on Tuesday, Superintendent Owain Llewelyn, of North Wales Police, said: "Shortly after 3pm on the afternoon of Monday, November 20, North Wales Police received reports of four missing young males from the Shrewsbury area. It is believed that they travelled to Harlech on Saturday 18 with plans to camp in the Eryri area on Sunday.
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"A large search was undertaken overnight and that continued into this morning. Shortly after 10am this morning a member of the public contacted us reporting a vehicle having left the road between Beddgelert and Llanfrothen. Police officers attended and located a Ford Fiesta vehicle upside down, partially submerged in water.
"Tragically the bodies of four young males were recovered from within the vehicle.
"The families of the missing men have been informed. Our thoughts are with them at this desperate time.
"Whilst the search is concluded, there is an ongoing inquiry to formally identify those in the vehicle and to understand what has led to this tragic incident."
Inquiries into why the car left the road are under way, the force said.
Shrewsbury Colleges Group, where the boys were A-level students, offered “deepest condolences to the family and friends” of the teenagers and said it had put in place a range of support measures to help those affected.
Trinity Churches said it would offer “time and space to pray” at the Trinity Centre in Meole Brace from 9am on Wednesday, while Shrewsbury Abbey is open all day for prayer and reflection.
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