BBC presenter Lynda Shahwan (left) tragically died days after being involved in a car crash (Image: BBC Wales)

A BBC presenter died after she was discharged from hospital following a horror car crash, an inquest opening at Pontypridd Coroner’s Court heard today (November 11).

Lynda Sian Shahwan, 53, was a passenger in a car when the car overturned in the crash in north Vancouver, Canada, on July 15.

Ms Shahwan, of Heath Way in Cardiff, was taken to Lions Gate Hospital in Vancouver but was discharged from hospital despite suffering injuries. The inquest heard she sustained a fractured rib, abdominal bruising, and pneumothorax, reports Wales Online.

She was discharged from hospital the following day but was told she was unfit to fly home.

Shahwan was in the country on a family holiday (Image: BBC)

On July 19, Ms Shahwan’s family were unable to get in contact with her. She was tragically found dead in her property.

She formally identified by her husband a month later.

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

Coroner Alex Morse reported the tragedy as an “unnatural death” and decided the inquest would need to be adjourned.

The coroner offered his condolences to the family.

Ms Shahwan’, a mum-of-two, worked at BBC Radio Wales for over 25 years.

Tributes have been paid to Ms Shahwan as colleagues remembered for “her professionalism and easy going manner”. She was also described as being a “very special person”.

Head of Radio Wales Carolyn Hitt said: “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.”

Ms Shahwan’s inquest was adjourned but no fixed date has been given at this time.