Crash survivor leaves intensive care

Accident investigators were called to the scene

The only survivor of a west Wales car crash that killed a young couple as they were being followed by a police patrol vehicle has been taken out of intensive care.

Luke Jones, 18, was in the car with Kathlyn McMullan, 17, and Michael Stuart Jones, 20, when it careered off the A475 near Pentrebach, Lampeter in Ceredigion on 29 December.

The couple, from Llanybydder, were on their way home after fetching a takeaway meal when the accident happened. They leave a 20-month-old son.

Kathlyn McMullan: Crash victim

Mr Jones was in a serious but stable condition at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff but has since been moved off the danger list.

On Monday, the coroner for Ceredigion opened and adjourned the inquest to a date to be fixed.

Post mortem examinations had earlier been carried out.

Ms McMullan's family has questioned why the police should have been chasing the car, which was returning from a local takeway shop.

A police investigation has been launched into the crash, which occured at around 2245GMT.

Complaints authority

It is not known who was driving the car, and neither the police nor the Police Complaints Authority could confirm the speed at which the car was travelling.

"As is usual in a tragic incident like this, the PCA has the matter referred to it in order that a member of the authority can supervise the investigation," said Leo Pilkington, of the Police Complaints Authority.

"It seems that late last night a car was stopped, or tried to be stopped, by police."

Michael Jones: Died in accident

"It didn't stop. Police followed it and shortly after that tragically the car left the road," said Mr Pilkington.

None of the officers involved in the crash have been suspended.

Chief Superintendent Andy Edwards expressed their condolences to the families of the two young people who died.

He said police were anxious to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time.

Ms McMullan's family is caring for the couple's, Ryan.

Her brother Shaun said: "It is heartbreaking for Ryan. He is a lovely little lad and they had just had a great Christmas together.

"They called him their little cherub. He is advanced for his age but of course he doesn't realise what has happened.

"He keeps on asking for his mummy and daddy."