Neighbours' shock at Pontllanfraith pensioner’s crash death (From South Wales Argus)

Neighbours' shock at Pontllanfraith pensioner’s crash death

1:20pm Friday 13th November 2009

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NEIGHBOURS of a Pontllanfraith pensioner who died after his car collided with a motorbike in Crosskeys said the community is in shock.

Graham Dark, 72, of Edgehill, was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital where he died from his injuries.

Mr Dark’s Volvo car collided with a BMW motorcycle on the A467 Risca by-pass near the junction with the B4591 Risca Road just before 6pm on Wednesday.

Mr Dark’s neighbour of more than 30 years, Alla Isaac, said she was shocked and saddened: “He and his wife Barbara were a lovely couple enjoying their retirement.

“They were a quiet couple with three grown up children. We often had a nice chat in the street.”

Mrs Isaac said Mr Dark worked in the bakery in Rogerstone until he retired, but suffered health problems in recent years.

She added: “They went out in their car yesterday afternoon and when they didn’t come back last night and the gates were still open we were concerned as it wasn’t like them.”

Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said she has known the couple for 40 years said Mr Dark, who is originally from Ynysddu, and his wife were a friendly couple: “This is a terrible tragedy,” she added.

The motorcyclist, a 41-year-old man from Somerset, was also taken to hospital and has broken both of his arms.

Police closed a section of the road at Cross Keys, known locally as the Half Moon roundabout, after the accident.

The road was closed for three-and-a-half hours with traffic queuing for more than two miles.

Gwent Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them by calling 101 or to call the collision investigation unit on 01633 642404.

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