TWO young men were killed and another injured in a horrific crash on the Horseshoe Pass near Llangollen yesterday.
North Wales Police say they were called to a report of a collision on the A542 on the Llangollen side of the pass at 12.36pm.
The Welsh Ambulance Service was also at the scene, about half-a-mile from the Britannia Inn near the village of Pentredwr.
Three people were travelling in the vehicle, a Peugeot, which is understood to have left the road, and ended up in a field.
Both young men, were later confirmed dead and a third person, also believed to be a young man, was injured and taken to Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
The identities of the men have not yet been released but police say they are from the Ruabon area.
The road was closed for some time and diversions were put in place.
First on the scene was Rhys Hughes, Denbighshire county councillor for Llangollen.
He said: “I was on my way over the Horseshoe Pass to a council meeting in Ruthin.
“I got to the part of the road near Pentredwr and out of the corner of my eye I noticed a hole in the iron railings at the side of the road.
“I knew that wasn’t normal as I am a shepherd and know the area pretty well. There is a very steep banking there.
“The accident must have happened a few seconds before as the top railing was still quivering.
“As I was pulling up in my car I saw a young man climbing up the side of the bank.
“He was injured but was able to walk.
“He got up to the roadside and was standing by a tree.
“I knew something serious had happened so I phoned the emergency services.
“Just as I was doing that two more cars heading up the pass slowed down.
“I flagged them down and they stopped.
“It was a man and a woman from different cars and they went down to the car to see what they could do to help.
“They shouted back to me that the people inside looked badly injured.
“The emergency services then arrived and they took over from there.”
Cllr Hughes added: “As I know the area I was able to brief the emergency services on exactly where it had happened.
“They were there within 10 minutes and were excellent.
“I later continued on my way but I had to have a few cups of tea to calm me down.
“I have since heard the two people in the car passed away, which is real tragedy.”
Sandra Baker, clerk to Llantysilio Community Council, said: “I am so sorry to hear what has happened.
"Our members have been trying for years to get something done about this stretch of road which has been a horrendous accident blackspot over the years.
“The numerous bends on there are very dangerous. We will discuss it again at our next meeting and raise it with the police.
“We send our condolences to the families of the young men who have died.”
A spokesman for the North Wales Ambulance Service said: “We attended a serious accident half a mile from the Britannia Inn at 12.31pm.
“One rapid response vehicle, one ambulance and a North Wales Air Ambulance attended the scene.
“There were three casualties, with an 18-year-old male was taken to the Maelor Hospital in a serious condition.”
Police said the 18-year-old sustained chest injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening.
A spokesman for the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said appliances from Llangollen and Chirk attended the scene after being contacted by ambulance staff at 12.38pm.
They said the service assisted in helping remove people from the collision.
Witnesses reported seeing several police cars with flashing lights and sirens heading from Wrexham to Llangollen yesterday lunchtime, with all emergency services present at the scene.
Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have information to contact PC 450 Aled Jackson at the Roads Policing Unit on 101 (if in Wales) or 0300 3300 101.