**Young Welsh Adventurer Remains in Coma After Critical Car Accident Near Criccieth**
The close-knit communities of Blaenau Ffestiniog and Porthmadog have been left reeling after 23-year-old Owain Williams sustained life-threatening injuries in a car crash earlier this month. On 8 May, Owain was involved in a single-vehicle incident on the outskirts of Criccieth, Gwynedd, which has since left him in a coma and fighting for his life.
Eyewitnesses report that the rapid intervention of a passerby proved crucial that day, stemming severe bleeding from Owain’s neck before a local specialist doctor arrived at the scene. Emergency responders then airlifted the young man to the major trauma unit at Stoke, where he underwent emergency surgery for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other serious injuries.
Owain’s partner, Arianna, was travelling with him at the time of the crash but was not severely hurt. The shock of the accident has rippled through their circle of friends and family, who describe Owain as a “truly beautiful” person and a passionate adventurer, known for embracing all that life has to offer.
His mother, Beverley Griffiths, and father, Karl Williams, alongside their respective partners, Einir and Eiddon, have joined with Owain’s sisters and Arianna to rally around him. Their message is one of hope, but also an acknowledgement of the immense challenges that remain ahead. According to a family statement shared online, medical teams are working tirelessly to aid Owain’s recovery, but his long-term prognosis remains uncertain.
Since being transferred to the critical care unit at Stoke University Hospital, Owain has remained unconscious. He has already endured multiple emergency surgeries as clinicians attempt to stave off the spread of damage caused by his traumatic brain injury. The family’s statement conveys the gravity of his condition, revealed with both candour and heartbreak.
There is now an active fundraising campaign established by those close to Owain, aimed at supporting both his ongoing care and the needs of his immediate family. Funds will not only help pay for practicalities such as transport and accommodation as his loved ones maintain a bedside vigil, but will also contribute to specialist rehabilitation, equipment needed for home care, and necessary adaptations to facilitate his eventual return. Additionally, portions of any proceeds will support the critical care unit at Stoke and brain injury charities that have made a meaningful difference during this period.
In a wider context, the family have also issued words of gratitude to the emergency services and hospital staff who responded so swiftly and who continue to care for Owain. “We would like to thank all the emergency services that initially responded to the incident and all the staff working tirelessly at the critical care unit – you are all an inspiration and we are so very grateful,” their statement read, underscoring the vital role played by both first responders and ongoing medical teams.
The story has resonated locally and beyond, with many describing Owain as a beacon of hope and resilience. His positive outlook on life, his adventurous nature, and his close relationships have inspired significant community support, as people from all walks of life are moved to help in whatever way they can.
Those wishing to contribute to the recovery fund for Owain Williams are being urged to visit the dedicated fundraising page, where further updates on his condition and messages of support from the public are being shared. The outpouring of solidarity is a reflection of the high regard in which Owain is held and a testament to the links that bind communities during tragedy.
As medical staff continue their efforts and his family and friends maintain their vigil, there is hope that Owain’s courage, along with the determination of those around him, will see him through the arduous journey that lies ahead.