'Ethan was family to me – I don’t think that space in my life will ever be filled'

Best friend of man who died in quad bike collision speaks amid balloons tribute

- ROBERT DALLING

THE best friend of a young man who died in a collision has opened up about the moment he “broke down” as he learnt the tragic news, describing how the loss leaves 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 quad bike 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 yesterday another one was held at Welfare Park in his hometown of Brynmawr.

As the balloons were released yesterday, 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.

“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.