Truck convoy tribute to three killed in Denbighshire crash
- Published
Around 200 people gathered in Ruthin to pay their respects to the three teenagers who died in Friday's crash
A vigil led by a convoy of trucks has been held for three men killed in a car crash.
Leon Rice, 17, and 18-year-old John Michael Jones, from Ruthin in Denbighshire, died when the car they were in hit another vehicle on Friday.
Colin Hornsby, from Greater Manchester, was also killed while four others were hurt, three seriously, in the crash.
North Wales Truck Gathering said the ceremonial convoy was "out of respect for the young lads and their families".
Mr Rice was a fan of tractors while best-friend and fellow motor enthusiast Mr Jones loved trucks.
"Truckers Unite, we are family," read a tribute on their Facebook page.
Best friends John Michael Jones - known as Michael - and Leon Rice were both former pupils of Ysgol Brynhyfryd comprehensive in Ruthin
The family of Mr Jones, known to his friends as 'Bear', described him as the "most loving son, big brother to Joanne, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend".
In a statement they added: "We will all miss his big smile and big hugs. He loved his rugby, wagons, driving his car and being with his friends.
"He would do anything for anyone and the most caring person you could meet. We will miss him and are devastated and heartbroken. Life will never be the same again."
Friend's tribute to victim of fatal crash in Denbighshire
Mr Jones was due to play for Ruthin RFC on Sunday, but the game was postponed.
Supporters at the club's mini-rugby game against Mold held a minute's applause in tribute to the three deceased.
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The family of Leon Rice said they were also "devastated".
They added: "Leon was a very loving, hardworking, caring son, brother, nephew, cousin and friend. He was well known and liked by many people in the local area and will be greatly missed.
"Leon and Michael were the best of friends and to lose both in such tragic circumstances is truly devastating."
Mr Rice, Mr Jones and Mr Hornsby were in their Vauxhall Corsa when it hit a Vauxhall Antara.
A 19-year-old man and a 16-year-old male passenger in the Corsa, named locally as Liam Bell and Will Royles, were also seriously hurt in the crash and remain in hospital.
Floral tributes were left at the roadside after the crash between Denbigh and Trefnant
A 68-year-old female passenger in the Antara was also seriously injured and has been transferred to hospital in Stoke. The 66-year-old male Antara driver is also in hospital with minor injuries.
"Ruthin is a tight-knit community and we're all mortified," said Ruthin mayor Ian Lewney.
"All of our thoughts are with the families of the boys who died and everyone in the town will rally around to help them as much as we can.
"This tragedy will hit the young people of our town hard."
Police are appealing for witnesses, people who may have seen the vehicles leading up to the crash at about 19:30 BST on Friday or those with dashcam footage to come forward.
Tributes were paid to Mr Hornsby, 17, from Droylsden in Greater Manchester, and his family said "our lives will never be the same again without him".
Colin Hornsby, 17, from Droylsden, Greater Manchester, and two others died at the scene
- Published27 October 2018
