The mother of one of the four teenagers killed in a car crash has described how she is living in a nightmare that she cannot wake up from.

The bodies of Jevon Hirst, Harvey Owen, Wilf Fitchett and Hugo Morris were found in their crashed silver Ford Fiesta in North Wales on Tuesday.

Crystal Owen, Harvey’s mother, said: “I feel like I’m in a nightmare I wish I could wake up from but I’m not.

“I just wanted to say I do appreciate people’s kindness but no amount of messages is going to help me overcome this. Nothing will make this nightmare go away.”

Staff at the Dough and Oil restaurant where Harvey worked also paid tribute to him.

In a post on Instagram, they described him as “easy-going, warm, funny, gentle, bright, hardworking and humble”.

“He gave it his all, developing a passion for dough and had dreams of one day opening his own bakery,” they said.

“Before shifts, or on his break, you’d often find him listening to music or his head in a book – unusually for his age enjoying the likes of The Doors and Jack Kerouac, always keen to chat and discover something new.

“Our love, thoughts and condolences go out to Harvey’s family and to those of his friends, their lives full of promise cut so tragically short.”

Maddi Corfield, the girlfriend of Wilf, posted a tribute online, writing: “I love you so much, I’m going to miss you forever.

“The sweetest and most loving boy I’ve ever known. I hope you know how much I love you, gorgeous. Thank you for all the time you’ve spent with me… thank you for loving me endlessly. I promise I’ll do the same for you, my sweet, sweet angel.”

She added: “I can’t imagine my world without you. I’m missing you so much already, but I am going to enjoy life the way you would’ve wanted, the way that you made me feel.”

Her mother, Lisa Corfield, 37, said on Facebook: “I am absolutely heartbroken for Maddi and all of the families involved.

“Wilf was such a lovely, kind lad and treated Maddi in a way only a mother could hope her daughter be treated.”

A major search had been launched for the A-level students after they failed to return home to Shropshire from an overnight camping trip to the Snowdonia area.

North Wales Police said their bodies were found inside the overturned car which had left the A4085 at Garreg, near Tremadog, and was partially submerged in water.

Superintendent Owain Llewellyn said searches of the area where the car was found, including the use of underwater specialists, were continuing and the road would remain closed.

“Our thoughts remain with the families at this extremely difficult time, and I would like to thank the public for their continued patience and understanding,” he added.

In the teenager’s hometown of Shrewsbury several churches were open for prayer and reflection, while Wednesday evening’s Christmas lights switch-on had been postponed by the town council.

The area’s MP Daniel Kawczynski said: “On behalf of all constituents in Shrewsbury and surrounding villages, I would like to extend my deepest condolences and sympathy to the families and friends who have been tragically affected by this terrible loss of life.

“The whole country were desperately hoping Jevon, Harvey, Wilf, and Hugo would be found safe and well and this news is devastating.

“This news is truly heartbreaking, and my thoughts go out to all those affected by this tragic news.”

Shrewsbury Colleges Group, where the boys were A-level students, offered “deepest condolences to the family and friends” of the teenagers and said it had put in place a range of support measures to help those affected.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sent his condolences to the families, telling the Commons: “I know the thoughts of the whole House will be with the family and friends of the four teenagers who died in a car accident in North Wales.”