Tribute to man, 85, after crash

The wreckage of the two cars at the crash scene on Thursday afternoon

The family of an 85-year-old man who died with two teenagers in a two-car crash have paid tribute to him.

Clifford Kirkman, 85, from Llanddulas near Old Colwyn, Conwy, was the driver of a Rover car.

His family said Mr Kirkman, a father of two and grandfather of seven, would be "sorely missed".

North Wales Police have named the two 18-year-olds who died in the Citroen Saxa as David Gwyn Watkins of Llysfaen and Andrew John Glyn from near Denbigh.

The crash happened shortly before 1220 GMT at Old Colwyn, Conwy.

One fire officer said it was one of the worst crashes he had seen in his 15-year career.

The road near the former Hotel Seventy degrees was closed for hours after the accident.

Police wanted people to see the wreckage to highlight dangers on the roads.

After the incident, police allowed access to film the wreckage of the cars because they wanted to highlight potential dangers on the road.

Paul Jenkinson, operations manager for the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said it was one of the worst crashes he had seen in his 15-year career.

He said: "We had two very, very badly damaged cars in the road and we couldn't determine which way they were going - the police are carrying out a full investigation.

'Unpleasant circumstances'

"We have quite a lot of fatalities and it happens all too frequently in north Wales, it is very unpleasant.

"On arrival at the scene we removed the roof of the car with three people inside to make space to work."

Once the driver's body was removed, the nine firefighters could continue working to rescue the two passengers.

Mr Jenkinson added: "It was unpleasant circumstances and the crew focused on the task to get the remaining two casualties."

Police have appealed for witnesses to contact them.