FOUR boys found dead in a car after they vanished during a camping trip drowned, an inquest heard today.
Friends Jevon Hirst, 16, Harvey Owen, 16, Wilf Fitchett, 17, and Hugo Morris, 18, were heading to Snowdonia when the horror unfolded.
Their bodies were found in an overturned, partially submerged Ford Fiesta in Gwynedd, North Wales, on November 21.
An inquest heard today how a provisional cause of death for all four boys was given as drowning.
Kate Robertson, senior coroner for North West Wales said the car they were travelling in "left the road" on the A4085 at Llanfrothen.
The boys were identified by their heartbroken family members, the court in Caernarfon was told.
The inquest, which was not attended by any relatives, was adjourned until a police investigation into the tragedy is complete.
Ms Robertson said: "A police investigation is ongoing. Only when it's complete will a full inquest take place.
"I offer the families of Wilf, Jevon, Hugo and Harvey my sincerest condolences."
A huge search was launched for the boys when they failed to return home to Shropshire from the overnight trip.
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Witnesses saw the pals "laughing and joking" as they bought supplies for the camping expedition from a shop in Harlech.
They were then captured on CCTV in the Ford on their way to the mountains.
Tragically, the car left the A4085 at Garreg, near Tremadog, on on November 21 – a day after they were reported missing.
Supt Owain Llewellyn, of North Wales Police, previously said the crash appeared to have been "a tragic accident".
Tributes have flooded in for the boys, with vigils held in Shrewsbury to remember the foursome.
Harvey's mum Crystal Owen described him as "a unique and special person who touched so many people along the way".
She said: "There is never a time to lose a child but this feels so much more gut wrenching as he was literally thriving in life and had everything to live for."
While Wilf's girlfriend, Maddi Corfield, posted a tribute online, writing: "I love you so much, I'm going to miss you forever.
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"The sweetest and most loving boy I've ever known. I hope you know how much I love you, gorgeous."
Anyone who saw the boys on the A4085 between Penrhyndeudraeth and Beddgelert between 11am on November 19 and 10am on November 21 has been urged to call police on 101.
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