THE inquest into the death of a beloved great grandfather who died following a collision in Cwmbran opened yesterday.

Dave Fields was critically injured in the incident near a car wash in Llantarnam Road on June 22.

The former Cwmbran butcher died at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff on Friday. He was 75.

The cause of death given at the inquest was “complication of blunt moving head injury”.

A 26-year-old Gloucester man was arrested on suspicion of careless driving, driving without a licence and driving without insurance after the incident. He remains on police bail.

Newport coroner David Bowen adjourned the inquest for eight weeks to allow Gwent Police to continue their enquiries.

Mr Fields’ relatives have paid tribute to the Cwmbran man, describing him as a “real family man” who “touched many hearts” and would be “dearly missed”.

They said his children idolised him and he was happiest when he surrounded by his family.

He worked as a butcher and a machine driver on building sites and was a well known figure in Cwmbran, being stopped for a chat wherever he went.

He would often be seen at Asda in Cwmbran early in the morning and always had a big smile on his face, his family said.

He married his wife Marilyn in 1960 and they had five children.

In his retirement he enjoyed watching horse racing.In a statement his family said Mr Fields was known by many as a “happy, caring and fun loving gentleman.”

Anyone with any information about the incident on June 22 is asked to get in touch with Gwent Police on 101 and quote number 237 22/6/14.