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Tributes paid to teenager killed in Cardiff car crash

Tributes have been paid to Keely Morgan after she died on Monday.

Lucas Cumiskey
Thursday 04 May 2023 00:04 BST
(Family handout/ South Wales Police/ PA)
(Family handout/ South Wales Police/ PA) (PA Media)

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Family members have paid tribute to a 15-year-old girl with a ā€œbeautiful smile that would light up a roomā€ after she died in a car crash in Cardiff.

Keely Morgan was hit by a vehicle in Heol Trelai, Caerau, in the west of the city just after 9.30pm on Monday and she was later declared dead at the scene.

A 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and the investigation is ongoing, South Wales Police (SWP) said.

In a joint statement, the teenagerā€™s mother Sian Morgan and step-father Liam Coulthard said they are ā€œdevastated at the sudden loss of Keelyā€, who will ā€œnever be forgottenā€.

In such a short time in this world, she had touched so many people and she had so many plans that have now been so cruelly taken away

Family statement

They said: ā€œOur hearts are broken, and we never imagined anything like this would ever happen to us.

ā€œKeely always had such a beautiful smile that would light up a room.

ā€œShe was sensible, kind and not one person ever had a bad word to say about her.

ā€œIn such a short time in this world, she had touched so many people and she had so many plans that have now been so cruelly taken away.ā€

Ms Morgan and Mr Coulthard said they have ā€œbeen overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support from our communityā€ and thanked people for their support.

ā€œFinally, to anyone at the scene who tried to help Keely and to all the emergency services who tried their best, again as family we are grateful for your efforts,ā€ they added.

ā€œRest in peace Keely. You will never be forgotten.ā€

Martin Hulland, headteacher at Cardiff West Community High School, said his students and staff were ā€œabsolutely devastated to learn of the tragic passing of Keely Morgan from Year 10ā€.

Mr Hulland praised her as ā€œan exceptional student who loved schoolā€ and said ā€œwe will all miss her terriblyā€.

In a statement, he said: ā€œThere was an enormous sense of shock and a huge outpouring of grief as we received the terrible news yesterday.

ā€œKeely was an exceptional student who loved school.

ā€œShe was a good friend to many students and had a real passion for drama.

ā€œHer family were outstanding supporters of the school.

ā€œKeely demonstrated high levels of resilience to overcome serious health issues and was a superb role model to so many.

ā€œShe was described as an ā€˜absolute starā€™ by her head of year, and we will all miss her terribly.

ā€œOur thoughts are with her family and friends, and we will do all we can to provide care and support at this incredibly difficult time.ā€

The force has said the incident involved Ms Morgan, who was a pedestrian, and a black Vauxhall Astra.

Witnesses or anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage of the incident or of either Ms Morgan or the car prior to the collision are being asked to make contact with police quoting reference *140268.

Ms Morganā€™s family are said to be being supported by a family liaison officer and have asked to be allowed to come to terms with their grief in private.

A spokesperson for SWP said: ā€œOur thoughts remain with Keelyā€™s family at this time.ā€

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