Emergency services are at the scene of the crash
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Tributes have been pouring in for the teenager
Demi Edmunds has been described by her childhood friends as bubbly, smart and strong-minded(Image: Emily Jo)
The family and friends of a teenager who died in a crash in south Wales said she was someone no-one could forget. Demi Edmunds, 17, from Caldicot, died on the A4042 in Cwmbran following a crash which involved three cars. She hadn’t been driving at the time and was a pedestrian, Gwent Police said in a statement.
The dual carriageway was shut for more than 10 hours on Thursday, February 12, following the incident. Demi’s family, including her brother Jake, have paid tribute to her.
Jake said Demi was the “best sister” and was “funny, kind and caring”. “We were very close,” he said. “She was like a best friend to me that I could trust with anything and everything, but she’s no longer with us anymore. Hopefully she’s in heaven somewhere better.”
In a statement Demi’s family said: “Demi was a beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, cousin, and niece. She loved her friends and she was loved by all.”
Speaking about Demi, her childhood friend Emily Jo, 18, described her as a bubbly person who was smart and strong-minded. Emily said: “It really took a lot to bring her down – she was a very strong-minded girl. She was very smart – she had her head screwed on more than most adults.
“We were both in the same primary school. When I had to move there I met Demi (and) I knew straight away that she was always going to be my best friend.
“She loved travelling to places to see friends, she loved drawing and baking things. There will never be another Demi – she was one of a kind.”
Demi’s friends have organised a balloon release in her memory which will be held at the Oasis Fields in Cwmbran on Saturday, February 21 at 2pm.
Gwent Police are continuing to appeal for anyone with any information to come forward to help with their investigation.
A statement reads: “Enquiries continue and anyone with relevant information, including CCTV or dashcam footage, is asked to contact us via our website, call 101 or DM us on our Facebook or X social media pages, quoting log reference 2600046163.”
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All of the latest news from across Wales and further afield
Emergency services were called to a section of the A470 on Saturday afternoon
Emergency services at the scene of a crash on the A470 next to Llwyn-on Reservoir near Merthyr Tydfil(Image: Traffic Wales)
Two people have been taken to hospital after a serious two-car crash which closed a section of the A470 in south Wales for several hours.
Emergency services were called to the scene near Llwyn-onn Reservoir north of Merthyr Tydfil on Saturday afternoon. Police shut the road in both directions and it remained closed for more than six hours. Two people were taken to hospital with injuries, which are not thought to be life-threatening. For the latest Merthyr Tydfil news, sign up to our newsletter here.
A spokesman for South Wales Police said: “We were called at 1:47pm on Saturday, February 15, to a collision involving two cars on the A470 near Llwyn-on Reservoir Road, Llwyn-on, Merthyr Tydfil.
“Two people were taken to hospital with what are described as non-life threatening or changing injuries. The road re-opened shortly before 8:00pm.”
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‘It’s completely ruined everything for me. I shouldn’t have to pay for anything, I’ve done nothing wrong’
Shocking CCTV footage shows the moment a car being pursued by the police smashes into parked cars
Shocking footage shows carnage after a car being pursued by the police smashes into two parked cars. The incident happened at around 1am on Tuesday at Heol Aneurin, Penyrheol, Caerphilly.
A black BMW allegedly collided with the vehicles after it failed to stop when requested by police officers, Gwent Police said. The young couple – both aged 19 and wish to remain anonymous – who own the damaged cars said the incident has caused them significant stress.
The female owner said: “We were sleeping and we didn’t hear it happen. I woke up because my neighbour was ringing me and she said you need to get outside because your car is all smashed up. It was just gone 12am. She had heard a bang.
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“We rushed out and the police were already there and said they’d been banging on our door. Our cars were smashed up and a recovery truck was on the way because my boyfriend’s car was completely written off. Mine is still driveable but it’s still very smashed up so I can’t drive it at the moment.”
She explained that the BMW crashed into her boyfriend’s black Ford Fiesta, which then smashed into her white Suzuki Swift Sport. At present it is unclear as to whether they will be able to claim money back for the damage. Stay informed on Caerphilly news by signing up to our newsletter here
She said: “We’re so stressed. We’re both young, we are only 19. I’m a student, and we work for what we’ve got. There is no way I can get to work. I live in Caerphilly and work in Bridgend, while my boyfriend works in Newport. Why should we have to pay for public transport because some being pursued by the police crashed into our cars? It’s just not fair.”
Her boyfriend added: “Our insurance is going to go up now and we are only young trying to live off minimum wage and student grants, and it’s so unfair and just as stressful for us that we have to pay for all that now when we were just asleep in bed. It’s completely ruined everything for me. I shouldn’t have to pay for anything, I’ve done nothing wrong.”
A spokesman for Gwent Police said: “We received a report of a collision in Heol Aneurin, Penyrheol, at around 12.10am on Tuesday, February 17 after a black BMV allegedly collided with two parked vehicles after it failed to stop when requested.
“Officers conducted a search of the area, supported by the National Police Air Service (NPAS) and a police dog unit, but no-one linked to the car was located. The car was later recovered and no injuries were reported.
“Enquiries continue; anyone with information can call 101, visit our website or our social media channels quoting log reference 2600051012.”
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RAC urges drivers to help address the issue by reporting to their local council
Drivers have claimed these ‘disappearing’ marks have led to dangerous situations(Image: georgeclerk via Getty Images)
Recent studies have found that many motorists across the UK are experiencing driving fears due to an important element “disappearing” from roads. Some people have confessed to finding themselves in dangerous situations that could have been avoided if the issue had been addressed properly.
An investigation by the RAC discovered that painted road markings across the UK are “vanishing”. The findings led to a “pretty concerning” conclusion, as the majority of drivers claim that faded markings make the basic task of driving “more dangerous”.
In a video posted on Instagram, an RAC spokesperson asked: “Have you noticed it’s harder to see where you’re supposed to be on the road? We’re not just talking about cosmetic wear and tear, but the vital road markings that drivers rely on every single day, fading away. These include centre lines that separate oncoming traffic, arrows that guide us through roundabouts and stop lines that keep us safe at junctions.”
Research conducted by the RAC found that 92% of drivers believe these fading reminders on the road are “making driving more dangerous”. Some reported that important road markings in their local area had “completely disappeared”, forcing drivers to take chances that could be deadly in certain situations.
The fading of these clear signals and signs on the road has forced some drivers to “guess their lane” position. The report discovered that one in six motorists nearly collided with oncoming traffic due to unclear lane markings, reports the Mirror.
The spokesperson added: “Allowing these vital road markings to wear away puts drivers at unnecessary risk, and the dangers of them simply disappearing are simply too great to ignore. We’d like the Government to work closely with local councils to repaint the markings which are hardest to see.”
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “Whilst the Government has [recently] published the country’s first road safety strategy in more than a decade, this is one key area that shouldn’t be forgotten. We urge them to work with councils to rectify this situation, as markings are painted onto the road for good reason – to keep drivers and other road users safe by clearly informing them of what they should and shouldn’t be doing.”
How often should road markings in the UK be repainted?
Across the UK, road markings are generally repainted every few years, though this varies based on traffic volume, road type and overall public risk. High-traffic locations such as motorways and busy routes typically experience considerable wear and tear, requiring more frequent updates to paintwork.
Lower-traffic areas, like rural roads, can last for years without the same treatment. If you come across faded, worn, or missing road markings, report them to your local council’s highways department or National Highways, depending on the type of road, using their specific “report a road fault” tool online and specifying the location.
Even with vigilant road users reporting problems, the issue might not get fixed right away. Local authorities typically wait for a spell of dry weather to be guaranteed (or at least forecast) before carrying out these updates, ensuring new markings won’t be damaged by rainfall.
Typically, councils use thermoplastic, which dries and becomes road-ready within 15 minutes. Many councils depend on public reports of faded, dangerous markings to help prioritise which areas to address next.
Emergency services were working at the scene
Emergency services are at the scene
This is hard to believe but completely correct.
I asked legal and car experts what I could do if someone parked on my drive — all said the same thing
It is one of the most stressful things imaginable. You wake up one morning, or arrive home from work one evening, and find someone has parked in your driveway. Your first thought would probably be that this is totally unacceptable and a matter for the police. But you’d be wrong.
I asked legal experts and car experts to explain what you can do if someone parks in your driveway. They all said the same thing. In particular, they each flagged some things you definitely should do — and one thing you definitely shouldn’t.
Paul Britton, CEO of Britton & Time law firm in London and Brighton, said: “If someone actually parks on your drive it’s trespass, a civil matter, not usually a crime. That means police often won’t attend unless there’s aggravation (threats, damage, breach of the peace).”
Paul advised taking the following steps:
- Put a clear note on the windscreen asking them to move and giving a time limit
- If you can identify them locally, ask them directly (keep it calm)
- If it’s persistent, consider a solicitor’s warning letter and then civil action if needed.
But he added: “You can’t clamp them. Private clamping is generally unlawful. If someone dumps a car on your drive the law gives you civil remedies but no quick DIY removal route. Don’t damage it, push it into the road, block it in, clamp it or tow it. Don’t get into a confrontation — especially if you’re filming or they are.”
Even if your own car is blocked in by a rogue parker, you don’t have an immediate and obvious remedy. Paul said: “If your car is blocked in on your own drive, you’re again into obstruction/enforcement territory — start with council (if on the road) and police only if there’s danger, threats or serious obstruction.”
Richard Evans, head of technical services at webuyanycar, gave similar advice: “If a vehicle is parked on your private drive without permission, this is usually a civil matter rather than a criminal one and councils will not normally intervene. You should not block the vehicle in or attempt to clamp it yourself, as this could lead to legal trouble. Instead, try to locate the owner and take photos for evidence. If it becomes a recurring issue, clear signage or legal advice may be appropriate, but a calm and proportionate response is always recommended.”
Benson Varghese, a criminal defence lawyer at Varghese Summersett law firm, said: “Parking on your actual private driveway without your permission is trespass, although this is a civil matter and not a criminal one, which means the police will not get involved simply because someone is parked on your driveway. The council will also not be able to move the vehicle from your private property unless it is abandoned or a danger to others.”
Benson also said the “best course of action in this situation” is to:
- Approach the owner if you can identify them — it may be a simple mistake
- Leave a polite note asking them to move the car
- If it is a regular problem with the same individual, you may want to take civil action, such as an action for nuisance, in the county courts.
But he was also clear on what you shouldn’t do: “Tinkering with another person’s car, be it moving it, damaging it, or doing anything else, can land you in legal trouble.
“Being blocked in or having your driveway used without your permission is incredibly frustrating, but the legally sound way of dealing with it is through calm communication and the appropriate enforcement authority—not through taking the law into your own hands.”
Is it illegal for someone else to park on your driveway?
You may be surprised to hear it is not a criminal offence for someone to park their car on your drive. Instead, it is the civil offence of trespass so it’s unlikely the police will get involved in the absence of aggravating circumstances.
Even the council might be limited in its response. The Road Traffic Act 1991 transferred responsibility for parking enforcement to local authorities, who can act if the offence is committed on a public highway (ie the road). So if a car is blocking a driveway while parked on a public road, the council can act, most likely by issuing a fine. But when a car is on a drive, it’s technically on private property and the council has no authority to remove it.
If the vehicle has been clearly abandoned, the local council would be required to move it regardless of whether it’s on public or private land, but if the car has up-to-date tax, insurance, MOT and isn’t in a dangerous condition the council is powerless to do anything.
How can I stop someone parking on my drive in the first place?
Jonathan Such, motoring expert at vehicle finance provider, First Response Finance, made the following suggestions:
- Clearly mark your driveway with visible signage such as ‘Private Driveway – No Parking’ — this can act as a strong deterrent
- Keep access points clear and well defined, repainting faded dropped kerbs where permitted, or installing driveaway markings can also help remove any ambiguity.
And John Wilmot, CEO of car leasing comparison site LeaseLoco.com, suggested that “while the most effective way to protect your property is installing a driveway gate, putting out simple deterrents like parking bollards or posts, cones and signs can also help to prevent strangers from parking in your driveway”.
What should I do and not do if someone parks on my drive?
More than 10 legal and car experts gave their view on what you could do if someone else’s car is parked on your driveway — and their views were remarkably consistent.
DO:
- Try to find out who the driver is
- Leave a polite note on the car explaining your drive is private property and asking them not to do it again
- Document the incident with photographs
- Seek legal advice if it becomes a repeated issue as you may be able to take civil action and the courts have jurisdiction to remove the car (though this could be costly)
- If the vehicle appears to be abandoned permanently, report it to the council which can remove abandoned vehicles from private land where appropriate
- Install a driveway gate, put out simple deterrents like parking bollards or posts, cones and signs to deter and prevent strangers from parking in your driveway
DO NOT:
- Do not clamp, damage or tow the vehicle without lawful authority
- Do not push the car into the road.
There was congestion at different points along the M4 on Sunday