Mum was in passenger seat
A MUM who died in a car crash in South Africa sat in the passenger seat at the time of the incident, a coroner has said.
Sharon Davies, from Mountain Ash, died following the crash on July 31.
A MOTHER who died in a crash in South Africa was on holiday and sat in the passenger seat of the car at the time of the incident, a coroner has said.
Sharon Davies, from Mountain Ash, died following the crash in the north-west part of the country on July 31 and a pre-inquest hearing was held at Aberdare Coroner’s Court on Wednesday.
Reading a statement into the record, senior coroner Andrew Barkley said: “The circumstances are that she was a passenger in a vehicle involved in a road traffic accident in South Africa.
“She was on holiday but it’s unclear what caused her death. She passed away at the scene.”
He added that a postmortem examination had been conducted in South Africa and a death certificate issued by South African authorities stating that multiple injuries were the cause of the death of the mother of one, who was born in Aberdare and aged 45.
He added: “Her mother, Ruby, identified her and her family confirmed her full name, place of residence and place of birth.”
Earlier this month South African authorities said the crash happened between 8am and 9am in the North West Province while Ms Davies’ family travelled from OR Tambo International Airport to neighbouring Botswana.
The car rolled off the R509 in the Derby area outside of Rustenburg in the North West Province.
Following the crash the South African Police Service (SAPS) had said a case of “culpable homicide” has been opened for investigation for Ms Davies, whose home address is believed to be Pentwyn Avenue, Mountain Ash.
They said a 17-year-old boy, understood to be the son of Ms Davies’ partner, was airlifted to hospital with critical injuries. A 14-year-old girl and a man were also injured.
Paramedics said crews arrived at the scene to find a car lying on its side, partially off the road, with three people found lying outside the vehicle with Ms Davies and one other inside.
Emergency response spokesman Russel Meiring told news website iol. co.za: “Paramedics found the woman trapped in the vehicle had suffered numerous injuries and showed no signs of life.
“Nothing more could be done for her and she was declared dead at the scene.”
The inquest will formally open on January 10.