Crash a "dark day" for Mid Wales town

Two men and two woman from Llanidloes were killed when their car was involved in a collision with a van and a fuel tanker on the A44 near Aberystwyth.

A baby girl who was also in the car remains in the University Hospital of Wales Cardiff in a serious condition following Tuesday's crash.

The victims have been named as John Kehoe, 72, his wife Margaret Kehoe, 65, Martin Pugh, 47, who is the partner of the couple's daughter, and Mr Pugh's niece Alison Hind, 28. It is believed they lived on the Gwaelod-y-Bryn estate in the town.

The 18-month old girl has been named locally as Holly Hind, daughter of Alison Hind.

Her father, Steve Hughes, 36, who was not involved in the crash, has been at her hospital bedside as she receives specialist care.

Holly's great-grandfather Emrys Davies, 80, said: "It is such a tragedy. The police came last night for Steve and he is down in Cardiff now with Holly in hospital. We are all just hoping she will be okay."

Friend Margaret Pugh said: "This is just terrrible - they were a very close and caring family. The one comfort we can take is that the little girl survived. We are all praying she will be fine."

Alison Hind and Steve Hughes have another son Ethan, six, who was in school at the time of the tragedy.

It is believed Martin Pugh lived with his partner Lynn Kehoe, 39, in Llanidloes. It is thought he was a full-time carer for disabled Mr Kehoe who lived in a neighbouring street with wife Margaret.

It is believed had taken the couple along with niece Alison - known as Ali - for the trip to Aberystwyth with baby Holly because of the warm weather.

Councillor Gareth Morgan, county and town councillor, for Llanidloes, said the town had been left "devastated" by the deaths.

He said: "I knew of a couple of the family members and they seemed like such lovely people. The whole town is devastated, it really is a black day for the area.

"My wife called me over and saw the news of a crash on her iPad and it was only later I realised it would affect Llanidloes so much.

"I am finding it difficult to actually put my feelings in words because it is the kind of thing that will devastate a whole family and shock the community.

"I am shocked and so saddened and send both my own and the whole town's deepest sympathies to relatives of those involved."

The collision happened in Eisteddfa Gurig, between the villages of Llangurig in Powys and Ponterwyd, Ceredigion.

A 21-mile stretch of the road was closed from 2.55pm on Tuesday to 2.40am on Wednesday.

Dyfed-Powys Police said investigations into the collision are still on-going and would be likely to be for some time.

Sian George, force spokeswoman, said: "Police are investigating following the fatal road traffic collision on the A44 between Llangurig and Ponterwyd.

"Tragically two men and two women sustained fatal injuries in the collision, and a female infant remains in the University Hospital of Wales Cardiff in a serious condition. All five were travelling in the car, and they were all from the Llanidloes area. Next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers."

Councillor Morgan also said the stretch of road the accident happened on was "notorious" for bad accidents.

He said: "We live in a beautiful part of the world, but pay for it with these awful roads. This one in particular is renowned for being one of the most dangerous in the country.

"There are regular bad accidents along it. Maybe it is something that should be looked at now."

Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies described the crash as "horrific" and said he sent his best wishes and sympathies to the family.