A BBC presenter died after she was discharged from hospital following a car crash where her vehicle overturned in Vancouver, an inquest opening at Pontypridd Coroner’s Court heard.

The inquest heard how on July 15, Lynda Sian Shahwan, 53, was a passenger in a car with family members when she was involved in a crash in north Vancouver, which caused their vehicle to overturn.

Ms Shahwan, of Heath Way in Cardiff, was taken to Lions Gate Hospital in Vancouver and sustained a fractured rib, abdominal bruising, and pneumothorax. The court heard how she was discharged from hospital the following day but was unfit to fly home. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here.

On July 19, her family were unable to get in contact with her and she was tragically found dead in her property. A month later, she was formally identified by her husband.

The pathologist has given a cause of death as motor vehicle incident leading to peritonitis.

Coroner Alex Morse said it was an “unnatural death” and the inquest would need to be adjourned with a date to be fixed. The coroner offered his condolences to the family.

The inquest heard how Ms Shahwan was born on September 3, 1971, in Caerphilly. In July, BBC Wales announced that the mum-of-two had died as they paid tribute to the presenter who worked at BBC Radio Wales for over 25 years.

Ms Shahwan was most-notably the creator of one of Wales’ most popular podcasts. Terry Walton’s podcast explores the joys of allotment life on a Rhondda hillside, giving growing advice to thousands of listeners.

In a tribute, she was remembered for “her professionalism and easy going manner”, and as being a “very special person”.

Head of Radio Wales, Carolyn Hitt, added: “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.”