A “talented” footballer is in a coma after a crash which killed three teenagers in Wales.

Lucas Vaughan, 18, sustained “life-threatening injuries” in the collision in Coedely, Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Eighteen-year-olds Jesse Owen and Morgan Smith and 19-year-old Callum Griffiths were declared dead at the scene of the crash between a bus and an Audi A1 at around 7pm on Monday, 11 December.

Their families have paid tribute to the boys, who were all local to the Rhondda Cynon Taf area.

Sky News has been told the boys had been to a funeral earlier that day.

A fifth teenager, a 19-year-old, also sustained life-threatening injuries.

Lucas Vaughan had played at the Bristol Rovers academy, before he joined Lydney Town in the summer.

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The latter said in a statement that he remained in a coma at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

He had been “a shining light” at the club and an “incredibly talented footballer”.

He was described as a “top guy” with a “lovely manner” and a “zest for life”.

“We all pray with everything we have for him and his amazing family at such a difficult time,” the club spokesperson added.

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Bristol Rovers said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that everyone associated with the club was “thinking of” Lucas and his family.

The academy said its staff were in “constant communication with Lucas’s mum” and it was “supporting the family as best we can”.

South Wales Police is continuing to appeal for information that may help with its investigation, including dash cam or mobile phone footage.

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