A NEWPORT woman who died after being hit by a bus failed to spot a pedestrian crossing light had changed to red outside a luxury Cardiff hotel, an inquest has heard.

Tragic Joan Davies, 83, had set off for a shopping trip to the city centre when she stepped out onto Greyfriars Road outside the Hilton Hotel.

The great-grandmother, a widow who lived in the Monmouth Court complex in Newport, was hit by the single-decker bus in Cardiff city centre on the morning of May 17 last year.

The inquest in Cardiff heard Mrs Davies died shortly after from a cardiac arrest because of her massive injuries.

A police investigation found no evidence to suggest bus driver Stephen O'Brien had done anything wrong. No charges were ever brought against him.

In a statement issued shortly after her death, Mrs Davies' family said: "Originally from Newport, Joan spent many happy years with her husband, Glyn, in Bigbury, Devon, before returning to live near her family.

"She was an immensely independent and energetic lady who loved walking and animals.

"She frequently visited her favourite places where she'd be seen walking, feeding the ducks and enjoying the sunshine.

"She will be missed but remembered by her friends and family."

Recording a conclusion of death by road traffic collision, area coroner Philip Spinney said: "Mrs Davies walked out into the carriageway without looking and then collided with the front nearside of the bus."

He added: "I am satisfied that this was a tragic accident."