Coroner Informed of Two Fatalities in Vehicle Collision

A coroner has been informed that two women lost their lives following a collision where the vehicle they occupied struck another car proceeding in the opposite direction. The collision involved an Audi, which was proceeding southbound on the A4050, and a Nissan Micra, carrying Beverly Pugsley, 69, and Madeline Brooks, 85, which was travelling northbound. Pontypridd coroner’s court was apprised that the incident occurred shortly after 13:30 GMT on 2 November, on the Port Road in Wenvoe, Vale of Glamorgan. Ms Pugsley, a resident of Llandaff, Cardiff, was identified as the driver of the Nissan, while Ms Brooks, from Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, occupied a rear seat in the same vehicle. Autopsies conducted at the University Hospital Wales in Cardiff determined that both individuals succumbed to blunt force trauma to the neck and chest. Coroner Rachel Knight stated that opening inquests was imperative because she had grounds to suspect the fatalities were “unnatural”. The proceedings for the inquests have been postponed, awaiting the conclusion of criminal inquiries by law enforcement. She indicated that the situation would be re-evaluated in approximately six months, contingent upon the advancement of the police investigation. Ms Knight conveyed her sympathies to the relatives of Ms Pugsley and Ms Brooks.