AN ELDERLY “duo” from Ponthir who held hands until their last moment together died of multiple injuries following a collision with a car, Newport Coroners Court heard.

Joyce and Denis Drew, both 86, were pedestrians at the time of the crash, which happened outside Ponthir Village Hall on the B4236 Caerleon Road on November 13 at around 7.30pm.

A 20-year-old woman from the local area was arrested on suspicion of death by dangerous driving and has been released on police bail.

Wendy James, deputy coroner for Gwent, opened an inquest yesterday, which was adjourned for three months while police investigations continue.

Coroner’s officer David Arnold said a post-mortem examination found Mrs Drew’s death was due to “blunt injuries to the head, chest and pelvis”.

Mr Drew was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, but died on November 19.

Mr Arnold continued: “The cause of Mr Drew’s death was found to be complications of multiple blunt injuries including rib and lower leg fractures.”

Mr Drew, a former headteacher, was born and raised in Abersycan. The couple married on March 31, 1959.

Mr Drew taught in Abersychan and Griffithstown and was headteacher at Usk CV, Llanyrafon and Hollybush Primary schools before he retired.

Mrs Drew was a registrar of births, deaths and marriages in Pontypool. She was a stalwart member of Ponthir WI, a driver for WRVS meals on wheels and spent decades raising money for St David’s Foundation Hospice Care. The All Saints, Llanfrechfa churchgoers had two children and a grandchild.

Deputy coroner Ms James said she was satisfied that the bodies could now be released and a funeral held.