Best friend of crash victim says loss is 'space in life that will never be filled'

Wales Online

08-06-2025

Best friend of crash victim says loss is 'space in life that will never be filled'
Ethan Powell, 20, was found on the A465 between Rhymney and Dowlais next to an overturned quadbike in the early hours of Saturday, May 31
Dozens of people remembered Ethan Powell at a balloon release on Sunday
(Image: Mark Lewis )
The best friend of a young man who died in a collision on the A465 has opened up over the moment he "broke down" as he learnt the tragic news, describing how the loss is a "space in his life that will never be filled".
Ethan Powell was found on the A465 between Rhymney and Dowlais next to an overturned quadbike in the early hours of Saturday, May 31. The 20-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have arrested five people as part of their investigation into the crash, one of whom has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Jake Williams was Ethan's best friend. Since his tragic passing he and his friend Kyron, who was also very close to Ethan, have begun organised events and fundraisers to remember him and to raise money for his family. On Wednesday there was a balloon release in his memory in Crickhowell and on Sunday another one was held at Welfare Park in Brynmawr.
As the balloons were released on Sunday there was a particularly touching moment as Pretty Green Eyes by Ultrabeat, which was Ethan's favourite song, was played.
Describing the moment he found out what had happened to his friend Jake said: "Me and his other best friend, Kyron, it was always us three together. Ethan's dad called me and Kyron because we were actually out at the time looking for him. He told us what had happened and I just broke down. I was in bits.
"I have been literally speechless over the last couple of days and it kind of hit me at one point then and it has stuck with me that he has gone.
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"I am really struggling with it. I have been out until late at night with Kyron just talking about random stuff to keep it off our minds.
"Ethan was family to me. He was like another brother. I don't think that space in my life will ever be filled. Every day I'd come home from work he would ring me. He'd ring me in the morning, ring me at night."
Ethan Powell died in a collision on the A465 Heads of the Valleys road on Saturday, May 31
(Image: Gwent Police )
Jake, aged 20, described his friend's personality, and told the story of how the pair first met.
He said: "Ethan was an overall character – everything he did made everyone laugh. We met through college in Ebbw Vale.
"We were on different courses – he did bricklaying and I did carpentry.
"He was playing football outside and I came over and he said: 'Come and have a kickabout'. We had a game of football outside the college and before we knew it we became best buddies.
"We used to play football together regularly at the welfare with all the boys. We used to go out in the cars and park up and talk about random stuff and we used to go out in Brynmawr on the weekends after rugby. He played rugby and football.
"I'll always remember him first driving my car – that was a funny memory. He was having driving lessons and I let him have a go of driving my car up the industrial and all he did was stall.
"He was a spontaneous person. He would make decisions in his head and he'd just go with it – it could be 10pm at night and he'd want to go to Porthcawl. We always had a good laugh together. He'd always be smiling, always laughing. He was cheeky as well.
"He absolutely adored his family, his little sister and his mum and dad. He was a very, very, very good person and a talented footballer as well. Football was his main passion, a bit of rugby, he loved his tattoos. He loved his music, hard style, drum and bass, techno."
The balloon release was a poignant sight
(Image: Mark Lewis )
Jake said that he and Kyron are now focusing on doing what they can to keep their friend's memory alive with the phrase 'Forever 20' a central part of their efforts in memory of Ethan.
He said: "We've got the balloon releases and I am selling stickers as well for cars to raise money. At the moment we're looking to organise a charity football match too to raise money for Ethan's family. We'd like to do that every year but we have to get it off the ground at the moment. We've got boys ready – it's just about sorting a referee and things like that."
Gwent Police has issued an appeal in their murder investigation into the crash. Officers found a burnt-out BMW in the Dowlais area during the investigation, which they believe may have been involved in the collision.
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They asked anyone who may have information on this car to contact them. Police are also urging anyone who was travelling along the A465 between the hours of 2am and 5am on May 31 to check their dashcams.
A spokesman for Gwent Police said: "Officers investigating a fatal road traffic collision on the A465 westbound between Rhymney and Dowlais on Saturday, May 31, are continuing their appeal for information.
"A Brynmawr man, 20, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene at around 4.50am after his quadbike was found overturned on the westbound carriageway. His family are aware and continue to receive support from specially-trained officers.
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"A Merthyr man, 40, was arrested on suspicion of murder and driving whilst unfit through drink and driving whilst unfit through drugs. A second man, 37 and from Merthyr also, was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and assisting an offender. Both were later released on conditional bail as inquiries continue."
Detective chief inspector for Gwent Police, Matthew Edwards, the senior investigating officer, said: "We're keen to speak to anyone who was travelling along the A465 between the hours of 2am and 5am on Saturday morning, especially motorists with dashcam, as they could have details that might assist our inquiries.
"It is still our view that a second vehicle – a white BMW that was found burnt out in the Dowlais area – may have been involved in the collision. If you have any information about this car then please get in touch."
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"Anyone with information that could assist our investigation is asked to call 101, contact us via our website, or send us a direct message on social media quoting log reference 2500171434. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously with information by calling 0800 555 111 or going to their website to report online in confidence."
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Ethan's family and has so far raised more than £1,700. If you wish to make a donation you can do so by clicking here.