Mother's tribute to dead sons

Mother's tribute to dead sons

All four of the Young boys died

The mother of the four boys believed to have been killed in a gas-filled car by their father has said they were "fun-loving children who will be sadly missed".

Samantha Young described the deaths as a "huge shock to all the family" and requested privacy as they came to terms with their grief.

Seven-year-old Joshua, six-year-old Thomas, five-year-old Callum and three-year-old Daniel all died in the incident, along with their father Keith Young, 38.

The car was discovered at the Horseshoe Pass near Llangollen in Denbighshire at 0130 GMT on Thursday.

In a written statement, Mrs Young, from Winsford in Cheshire, described her children's characters individually.

"Josh the eldest son had a strong personality, and was also caring and loving and always watching out for his younger brothers," she said.

Here we have four babies really - it is horrendous beyond my imagination

Deputy Chief Constable Bill Brereton, North Wales Police

"Thomas was a real live wire always on the go and cared about everybody, especially his brothers.

"Callum was the quiet one who tended to keep himself to himself.

"Daniel was always on the go, like his brother Thomas who he was closest to - he was a Daddy's boy and very outgoing.

"All four boys were popular, fun-loving children who will be sadly missed by everyone who knew them," she added.

All five in the car died of carbon monoxide poisoining.

Legal access

The vehicle was found two hours after Mrs Young rang Chesire police saying she was frightened for her children's safety.

She had received a phone call from her husband saying he would harm the children.

His mobile phone was traced to Llangollen, where the car was found, with a petrol lawnmower running in the back.

The bodies were found at Horseshoe Pass, near Llangollen

Although the couple were separated, the dead man had legal access to the children and it is understood he was seeing them on an arranged access visit at the time.

The children's bodies were taken to Wrexham Maelor hospital where they were confirmed dead.

North Wales and Cheshire police forces are launching a joint investigation, but officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths at present.

Deputy Chief Constable Bill Brereton, said the incident was extremely distressing.

"With the death of a child, and here we have four babies really, it is horrendous beyond my imagination," he added.

Joe Clemence, who owns the Ponderosa Cafe on the Horseshoe Pass, said he was shocked at the tragedy.

"We are absolutely flabbergasted - the frame of mind to do that sort of thing to four young people beggars belief," he told BBC Wales.