A YEAR after an horrific car crash which killed three members of the same family and an unborn child, relatives are still lobbying council chiefs to make the road where it happened safer.

It's been a year of hell for the family of Andrew Williams, 45, his wife Elaine, 44 their 19-year-old son Craig, all from Ebbw Vale, were killed in a horrific road crash on January 19 last year.

Craig's girlfriend Donna Grey was injured in the crash and lost their unborn child.

The family's Renault Clio collided with a Landrover Defender on the A467 between Crumlin and Aberbeeg.

Last summer Gwent coroner David Bowen said the exact cause of the crash remained unknown and suggested heart failure on the part of Craig could have been a factor.

He was diagnosed with a serious congenital heart condition as a toddler.

But Mr Bowen also did not rule out the possibility that a sheep had strayed onto the road - and recorded three verdicts of accidental death.

Today Mrs Williams' brother Rob Edwards, from Oakdale, spoke of the heartache the family have endured in the last 12 months, including the first family Christmas since the tragedy.

He revealed that he and Craig's brother Ian Williams have met the leaders of Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent councils to discuss the safety of the road which runs across both authorities.

"We have to accept the findings of the inquest but we still believe it could have been an animal crossing the road," he said.

"It's 12 months on and we still see sheep wandering onto a road which has a 60 mph speed limit."

Mr Edwards said he and Mr Williams wanted to see the fence along the roadside properly maintained to ensure no sheep can get through.

Caerphilly council's leader Councillor Harry Andrews said he was interested in resolving the issue.

"I have asked for information on the matter and will be following it up very shortly," he said.

A spokesman for Blaenau Gwent confirmed leader Councillor Hedley McCarthy had met the family.

Caerphilly council worker Mr Edwards, 48 said Christmas was tough.

"We had to pull together - now we've got to get through these next two weeks," he said.

A private service for family and friends is planned to mark the anniversary of the tragedy.

"It's been terrible for everyone - we're all suffering, but particularly Ian because he lost everyone - a huge chunk of his life.

"I don't know how we can move on because we're hurting so much but we've got to try," said Mr Edwards.

He said Craig's partner Ms Grey was still struggling with her own loss and being comforted by her family.