By Gerry Holt
AN elderly couple died and four people were recovering in hospital today after a three-car crash on a busy South Wales road.
A 76-year-old man and a 74-year-oldwoman from Pontypridd were pronounced dead at the scene of the smash on the A468 in Caerphilly yesterday afternoon.
The three cars – a grey Chrysler Grand Voyager, a blue Rover 416 and a blue Renault Clio – collided between a roundabout next to Caerphilly Garden Centre and St Cenydd School at about 2.15pm.
The elderly couple who died had been in the Clio. They have not yet been named but it is thought their next of kin has been informed.
Four people in the two other cars were taken to the University of Wales Hospital, Heath, Cardiff, to be treated for their injuries, which are not thought to be life-threatening.
It is thought the four remained in hospital today.
Police closed the A468 until about 8pm last night. The incident caused heavy tailbacks on the road, the main artery between Newport and Nantgarw, which passes through Caerphilly ending at the A470.
Caerphilly council leader Lindsay Whittle today spoke of his shock at the incident.
He said he had first heard about the crash when an e-mail was sent to council employees warning of traffic disruptions in the area.
“Initially my thoughts are to express deep regret and I would like to extend my sympathies to family and friends,” said the Plaid Cymru councillor. “It’s a tragic situation.”
Within two minutes of the crash an ambulance service rapid response vehicle arrived at the scene.
Two people had freed themselves from the wreckages before the emergency services arrived.
Firefighters from Caerphilly, Pontypridd and Whitchurch, Cardiff, used hydraulic cutting equipment to free a woman from her car.
The accident was attended by two senior ambulance officers and four ambulances, which took four patients to hospital.
Officers today appealed for anyone who saw what happened to contact Gwent Police on 01633 838111 or the Collision Investigation Unit on 01633 643091.
(c) 2008 South Wales Echo. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
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