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| Mourners gather for crash funeral | Mourners gather for crash funeral |
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| Around 1,000 mourners have gathered for the first of two funerals for four teenage girls killed in a car crash on a mountain road in south Wales. | Around 1,000 mourners have gathered for the first of two funerals for four teenage girls killed in a car crash on a mountain road in south Wales. |
| One joint service has taken place for Louise Jones, 16 and Danielle Caswell, 15. Another for Kayleigh Parry, 16, and Katie Roberts, 15, begins at 1400 GMT. | One joint service has taken place for Louise Jones, 16 and Danielle Caswell, 15. Another for Kayleigh Parry, 16, and Katie Roberts, 15, begins at 1400 GMT. |
| Two white coffins emerged from the church to Westlife's Your Raise Me Up. | Two white coffins emerged from the church to Westlife's Your Raise Me Up. |
| The four friends - pupils at Glyncoed Comprehensive School in Ebbw Vale - died in the crash on 2 November. | The four friends - pupils at Glyncoed Comprehensive School in Ebbw Vale - died in the crash on 2 November. |
| The girls, who were passengers in the backseat, died on the B4560 Llangynidr to Beaufort road, near Ebbw Vale. | The girls, who were passengers in the backseat, died on the B4560 Llangynidr to Beaufort road, near Ebbw Vale. |
| The 17-year-old driver and front seat passenger, another boy aged 17, were treated in hospital. Schools in the area closed so pupils can attend the services at the town's Christ Church. | The 17-year-old driver and front seat passenger, another boy aged 17, were treated in hospital. Schools in the area closed so pupils can attend the services at the town's Christ Church. |
| Pupils and teachers from both Glyncoed and Ebbw Vale Comprehensive Schools attended the service, as well as staff from a number of local primary schools. | Pupils and teachers from both Glyncoed and Ebbw Vale Comprehensive Schools attended the service, as well as staff from a number of local primary schools. |
| Reverend Geoff Waggett conducted the service with his colleague Reverend Jackie Carter. | Reverend Geoff Waggett conducted the service with his colleague Reverend Jackie Carter. |
| A white coffin is carried from Christ Church to awaiting hearse | |
| Cremations will follow at Gwent Crematorium in Croesyceliog. | Cremations will follow at Gwent Crematorium in Croesyceliog. |
| Head teacher of Glyncoed Comprehensive, Colin James, read the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 13 verses four to eight. | Head teacher of Glyncoed Comprehensive, Colin James, read the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 13 verses four to eight. |
| Dignitaries including Blaenau Gwent MP Dai Davies and Assembly member Trish Law, plus senior representatives from both Gwent and Dyfed-Powys Police who are investigating the crash also attended. | Dignitaries including Blaenau Gwent MP Dai Davies and Assembly member Trish Law, plus senior representatives from both Gwent and Dyfed-Powys Police who are investigating the crash also attended. |
| Although the church can seat around 550, the services are being relayed over loud speakers to people outside. | Although the church can seat around 550, the services are being relayed over loud speakers to people outside. |
| Speaking on Tuesday morning, Rev Waggett said: "I have never been involved in a situation like this before. | Speaking on Tuesday morning, Rev Waggett said: "I have never been involved in a situation like this before. |
| "It is clearly a tragedy and a traumatic situation for the family and for the school and for the girls friends, and it has affected the whole town. | "It is clearly a tragedy and a traumatic situation for the family and for the school and for the girls friends, and it has affected the whole town. |
| "We are a population of about 30,000 people and I have never known anything like this - it's been an outpouring of a mixture of grief, concern and community spirit. | "We are a population of about 30,000 people and I have never known anything like this - it's been an outpouring of a mixture of grief, concern and community spirit. |
| Loudspeakers will relay the service to mourners outside | Loudspeakers will relay the service to mourners outside |
| "There has been a demonstration of love that has pervaded the whole community. | "There has been a demonstration of love that has pervaded the whole community. |
| "It is a tremendous tragedy but we are seeing such love within the community and the valleys' spirit is showing its love and compassion for the families," he added. | "It is a tremendous tragedy but we are seeing such love within the community and the valleys' spirit is showing its love and compassion for the families," he added. |
| The church was opened at 0830 GMT for prayers. | The church was opened at 0830 GMT for prayers. |
| Roads in the town were expected to be closed before and after the funerals to allow mourners access to the church. | Roads in the town were expected to be closed before and after the funerals to allow mourners access to the church. |
| A 17-year-old boy arrested after the crash has been released on bail after being questioned on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. | A 17-year-old boy arrested after the crash has been released on bail after being questioned on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. |