'Devastated' firefighter called to fatal car crash found his daughter in wreckage

A firefighter has been left “devastated” after discovering his daughter had died in a car crash that he been sent to.

Adrian Smith, 47, said goodbye to daughter Ella Brooke Smith, 21, as she set off for a trip to the seaside resort of Broadhaven, Pembrokeshire, on Sunday.

Just hours later, Mr Smith was called out to a fire at a three-car pile up and discovered the body of his daughter, a trainee nurse, lying in the wreckage.

Posting a picture on social media of himself and Ella dancing at a family party when she was a child, Mr Smith and his family said: "We are utterly devastated at losing our beloved Ella. She was a much loved and caring daughter, sister and granddaughter.

“She was a beautiful girl who will be missed by us all. We would like to thank everyone for their support at this horrific time. It has meant so much to the whole family as we grieve for our Ella."

Mr Smith was on duty with his firefighting crew when he was called to the pile-up on the B4341 in Pembrokeshire on Sunday evening.

He arrived to see Ella’s Ka had overturned on a bend and was then hit by two other vehicles.

Police said Ella died at the scene on the country road in Haverfordwest, while three others were seriously hurt.

A family friend said: "You cannot imagine how Adrian must be feeling. It is every emergency worker's worst nightmare to find your own child is a victim.

"They are such a lovely family. Ella was so bubbly with all her future ahead of here."

Mr Smith, Ella’s mother Maria, and her brother and sister are being supported by specialist police officers from the Dyfed Powys force.

Tributes were paid by friends on social media to the "sweetest girl who ever walked the earth".

One said: "This is so cruel. We just hope her family can remember her with as much love as we do."

Ella worked as a trainee nurse at the Parc Y Llyn Nursing and Residential Home in nearby Ambleston.

Owner David Van Dyk said: "She always brought a bright ray of sunshine into our lives. We are all absolutely devastated.

"We all feel very strongly for her family and offer them our sympathy. She was so very happy and the residents here loved her."

Dyfed-Powys Police appealed for dash-cam footage from other drivers at the scene of the crash.

A spokesman said: “It is believed that the vehicles involved were a blue Citroen C1, a white Ford Ka and a white Seat Ibiza.”

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