A BBC presenter tragically died after being discharged from hospital, just days after a devastating car crash. BBC Radio Wales presenter Lynda Shahwan, 53, was holidaying in Canada with her husband and their two sons when the vehicle they were travelling in was involved in a collision and overturned. The presenter and her family were rushed to Lions Gate Hospital in Vancouver, where it was confirmed that she had suffered a fractured rib, a collapsed lung and abdominal bruising.

She was discharged from hospital the day after the accident, which occurred last year, and the rest of the family flew home on July 18, but Lynda was unable to do so owing to her abdominal bruising.

An inquest at Pontypridd Coroners' Court this week heard how Lynda had planned to remain in Canada to recuperate, but when her family were unable to reach her on July 19th, they alerted Canadian authorities and she was discovered dead later that day. Coroner Graeme Hughes said: "Post-mortem examination determined that she had developed an infection in her abdomen [peritonitis], likely a consequence of injuries sustained in the collision."

Her death was attributed to "infective complications of injuries sustained as a consequence of a road traffic collision", the coroner concluded. Her condition had deteriorated following her discharge from hospital and the departure of her family.

At the time, tributes poured in for Lynda, with head of Radio Wales, Carolyn Hitt, stating: "Lynda was a very special person.

Since she began her career with Radio Wales in 1999 she made a brilliant impact on the station, on and off air, working across almost all of our output. For several years, Lynda was Roy Noble's fellow presenter on his morning show, where he affectionately christened her 'The Lily from Caerphilly'."

"More recently, Lynda was back in front of the mic once more, this time with Terry Walton, co-presenting and producing her fantastic passion project the Plotcast - just one of the many examples of her creativity and innovation."

She continued: "We are all devastated at Radio Wales at the sudden loss of our much-loved colleague and friend and our hearts go out to Lynda's husband Sharif - who is also a much-loved colleague - their two sons and all their family and friends."

Her co-presenter Terry Walton, who featured alongside her on the Plotcast, remarked: "My last two years of working with Lynda on the Plotcast were the most fulfilling and cherished broadcasting I have done.

"Our chemistry and her creative talent made every episode a gem of gardening knowledge. Such fun whilst still being very informative. Her professionalism and easy going manner made every recording a pleasure and brought the best out of us both. We became true friends and after recording we would both relax and discuss many aspects of life."