Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid offered heartfelt words of comfort to a grieving mother during an emotional segment on the ITV programme this week.
A Mother's Grief and a Call for Change
Reid, alongside co-host Ed Balls, spoke with Crystal Owen on Tuesday, 6 January. Crystal's 17-year-old son, Harvey Owen, was one of four teenagers who lost their lives in a tragic car accident in November 2023. The vehicle left the road and overturned while the friends were travelling to Snowdonia National Park for a camping trip.
"It doesn't get any easier," Susanna told Crystal, before suggesting that channelling her pain into a campaign could help protect other young people. "One of the ways that you can focus all of the pain that you continue to experience is to try and campaign to make other young people safe when they get into a car."
The Tragic Details of the Snowdonia Crash
The show aired a report detailing the incident that claimed the lives of the four boys from Shropshire. Harvey and his friends failed to return from their trip, prompting an extensive search. Their bodies were discovered two days later in the car, which was partly submerged in water. The report confirmed all four had drowned after the car lost control on a bend and veered into a ditch.
Since the tragedy, Crystal Owen has become a vocal campaigner for stricter regulations governing newly qualified young drivers. She is pushing for changes that could include limiting the number of passengers they can carry.
Campaigning for 'Harvey's Law'
Susanna Reid highlighted the circumstances, noting the driver had passed his test only six months prior to the accident. Crystal explained she was unaware her son even had a friend who could drive, a scenario she believes could happen to any parent.
"All teenagers twist the truth sometimes to be able to do what they want to do," Crystal said. "And you can bring your child up as best as you can but you're never going to win against a car full of friends."
She is advocating for specific measures, such as an extended provisional licence period and passenger restrictions for new drivers. "My son, from one tiny mistake getting into a car with a young driver, has paid the ultimate price," she stated. "He's lost his life."
Visibly moved, Susanna Reid acknowledged the power of Crystal's message, telling her: "I know how hard it is for you, Crystal, it's a tough time for you." The campaign, supported by the broadcast, aligns with wider calls for legislative change often referred to as 'Harvey's Law' to improve young driver safety across the UK.
