THE fiance of Pontypool death crash victim Shane Powell has revealed that their baby, due in the New Year, will be given his name.

"He will always be with me," Ceri Rhys said as she struggled to come to terms with his loss.

Mr Powell, 29, from Beech-wood Walk, Trevethin, was killed in the accident alongside Jack Magee, 47, of Glandwr Street, Aberbeeg, Alex Williams, 21, from Malpas, and Karl Devlin, 19, from Malpas.

A BMW carrying the four men crashed through a concrete barrier at Swffryd, near Crumlin, before plunging into Monk's Quarry, on October 20. Ms Rhys said: "He told me everyday how much he loved me and was thrilled when I told him he was going to be a dad. He was so excited and couldn't keep it a secret.

"He was chuffed to bits to discover we were expecting a boy and he wanted him to be named after himself."

Ms Rhys paid a very personal tribute to a "loving" partner and said she is trying to stay strong for her son Dylan's fifth birthday.

She added: "Shane was like a step-dad to Dylan and he is also missing Shane terribly."

Ms Rhys described the moment when police arrived, accompanied by her father, to break the awful news.

"It was something I never expected to hear. He had only met the driver a few weeks ago and we had planned to go to Newport the day after the accident and pick the car he wanted to buy. And that would have helped him start looking for work."

The coroner David Bowen adjourned the inquest for three months and authorised the release of the bodies. Police are still investigating the cause of the crash and checking the car controls, which had been modified for use by a disabled driver.

Superintendent Nigel Russell said: "During the coming weeks we should have the full results of toxicology tests. We are linking in with the families of the victims to keep them updated."

Shane Powell's family is hoping to arrange the funeral some time this week.

Ms Rhys and Mr Powell had been together for two-and-a-half years. She said: "Shane was very generous and very loving with a mischievous sense of humour."