Four dead in car quarry plunge

The road was blocked off by emergency services

Four men have been killed after a car plunged over the edge of a quarry in Blaenau Gwent.

Emergency fire, ambulance and police teams worked for seven hours to recover bodies from the site.

The car was left on its roof, wedged between two rocks, at the disused Monks quarry at Swffryd near Crumlin.

Superintendent Nigel Russell, head of traffic for Gwent Police said it was "a terrible accident".

The men are not being publicly identified until next of kin have been informed.

Rescue teams were called in at 1550 BST.

"We don't know the full circumstances, but a car has gone down the embankment on the left hand side and all the occupants of the car were killed," said Supt Russell.

He said the slope was "treacherous" and "virtually vertical".

"We will be doing all we can to identify the four victims and aim to inform the families as soon as possible.

"The vehicle will remain on the scene tonight, as will police officers."

Supt Russell also issued an appeal for anyone with any information to come forward.

Around 15 police officers and 25 firefighters were involved in the operation, which was assisted by the Severn Area Rescue Association.

Darren Slocombe, 33, was the first person on the scene. He said it was "absolutely horrific".

The quarry is somewhere local children play over the summer - it was lucky there was no-one down there at the time Peter Darlington

"I could see a big gap in the barriers - I went down with my friend and the paramedics followed us - they were about five minutes behind," he said.

"I put my hand into the car and felt for a pulse, but there was none. The top of the car was crushed.

"I was shouting into the car, but I couldn't see into the car properly because it was squashed - it's all that's been going through my head.

"I used to be an HGV lorry driver and I have seen lots of accidents, but to actually be on the scene and put your hand into the car, to try and find a pulse is something that will stay with me for a long time."

South Wales Fire Service's assistant divisional officer Fraser Waterhouse said: "It appears the vehicle left a roadway, went down a grassy slope and plunged down the quarry.

"The position the vehicle is in is very difficult in terms of position and extrication."

Emergency services were called to the scene at 1545 BST

A statement released on Wednesday by Gwent Police said: "At approximately 1545 BST, a car left the road and slipped down an embankment on Swffryd Road between Llanhilleth and Hafrodrynys.

"Gwent Police, the ambulance service and South Wales fire service are currently attending the scene and can confirm all four persons in the vehicle are deceased."

A crowd of around 40 onlookers gathered at the scene.

Peter Darlington, 29, added: "I've lived around here all my life and the last time anything like this happened was when a bike went over the edge.

"The quarry is somewhere local children play over the summer. It was lucky there was no-one down there at the time."