Triple death crash car 'veered into lorry's path'

Lawrence Howells, left, and Barrie Jones died in a crash on the A48

Three men died in a crash after their car crossed into the path of an oncoming lorry, an inquest has been told.

Scott Jeffrey, 34, from Bridgend, Lawrence Howells, 51, and Barrie Jones, 48, both from Porthcawl, died following a collision on the A48 near Bonvilston, Vale of Glamorgan on 1 April.

All three men were travelling in a blue Ford Puma car which collided with a red and black Scania tipper lorry.

Pontypridd Coroner's Court heard the crash had happened shortly before 17:00 BST, as the Ford Puma was travelling towards Barry.

All three men were pronounced dead at the scene and had to be identified by their fingerprints.

Shortly before the collision, it appeared the car "crossed the carriageway" and veered into the path of the lorry "for reasons unknown," the hearing was told.

Following their deaths, the family of Mr Howells said they were "devastated", while Mr Jones's family said losing him had "left a hole" in their hearts.

The coroner's court heard that a provisional cause of death had been given for Mr Jeffries, Mr Howells and Mr Jones, of a road traffic collision leading to multiple injuries.

Assistant coroner for South Wales Central, Kerrie Burge, opened and adjourned an inquest into the deaths of all three individuals ad offered her condolences to the families of the deceased.