TRIBUTE: The kindest of souls, the biggest of hearts

The family of a Brynmawr man who died in a collision on the A465 has paid tribute to him, describing him as ‘the kindest of souls’ and ‘biggest of hearts’.

Officers were called to a stretch of the road between Rhymney and Dowlais at around 4.50am on Saturday 31 May where a quadbike was found overturned.

A Brynmawr man, 20, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene and he can now be named as Ethan Powell.

His family are aware and continue to receive support from specially trained officers.

Ethan’s family has paid tribute to him, saying:

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we, as a family, can confirm the passing of our much loved and cherished son Ethan.

“Ethan had the kindest of souls, the biggest of hearts and enough love to give to absolutely anyone he came across in life. He was the funniest of characters and always managed to light up a room.

“He will forever live on through his sisters Eleanor and Isabella with our family remembering him every second of every day.

“Our family is truly heartbroken at the news, a young life taken far too soon with so much ahead of him.

“We would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming support which we have had since Saturday.

“It brings a bit of comfort to see how loved and well thought of he really was, but we would now like to ask for privacy and space to grieve following this unimaginable loss to our family.”

“Ethan; forever 20, forever loved.”

Officers have since made three further arrests in connection with this investigation.

A Tredegar man, 43, and a Pontypridd man, 34, were both arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and assisting an offender and are currently in police custody.

A 41-year-old man from Merthyr was also arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and assisting an offender.

He was released on conditional bail as enquiries continue for this investigation, but he was recalled to prison in connection with an unrelated enquiry,

A Merthyr man, 40, was arrested on suspicion of murder and driving whilst unfit through drink and driving while 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 enquiries continue.

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.