A ‘wonderful’ three-year-old boy who died in a car crash which also claimed the life of his sister has been named.

Jayden-Lee Lucas died in hospital almost a week after an incident on the M4 near Newport.

He was on his way back from a birthday party with Gracie-Ann Wheaton, four, when their family’s car collided with a van.

The pair were rushed to Heath Hospital in Cardiff on February 5 but both died of their injuries.

The children’s parents, a man and a woman, were also taken to hospital. Their mother continues to receive treatment.

Gracie-Ann suffered a cardiac arrest due to the severity of her injuries and died the following day at around 5am.

Jayden died the following Friday at 4.30pm, his family confirmed.

Cousin Jamie Lucas, 19, from Abergavenny, told the PA news agency: ‘Unfortunately, after a week of fighting, Jayden has passed away.

‘He was wonderful, creative and a kind soul. Turned the grey skies blue.’

In a previous tribute to Gracie-Ann, he said: ‘I’m just trying to wrap my head around the fact that she’s gone; it’s hard to believe.

‘She was so young. She had a bright future ahead of her. She was such a wonderful child.

‘I’m just lost for words really. How she was returning from a birthday party and all of a sudden she’s gone.’

He added: ‘She was very smart, she was very creative. She had a really great imagination as well. She was just fantastic to be around.’

Thousands have been raised on a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for their funerals.

The crash happened on the westbound carriageway between junctions 28 and 29, prompting a huge emergency services response and causing the route to be closed for around seven hours.

The Ford Transit driver, 41-year-old Martin Newman, of Croeserw, appeared at Newport Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

He has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and two offences of causing serious injury by dangerous driving in relation to the accident.

He has been remanded into custody pending a hearing at Newport Crown Court on February 21.

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