A FORMER Gwent man was killed on holiday in France in a road tragedy.

John Howard Gravell, aged 63, was pronounced dead at the scene, and wife Marilyn, who was cycling with him, suffered a broken wrist, a broken rib and multiple lacerations.

The tragedy occurred as grandfather Mr Gravell, who was born and bred in Blaina, and 56-year-old Mrs Gravell, originally from St Julians, were enjoying a holiday in the Ardeche region of southern France.

The couple's daughter, Sian Mills, and two sons Marc, 26, and Rhys, 32, flew to France on Friday.

Mrs Mills, 28, said: "We are all traumatised by what's happened. "There is a feeling of shock and we are trying to come to terms with everything but it's been very difficult in a foreign country and having to go through the various processes required.

"Family and friends back home have been very supportive in keeping us going."

Mr Gravell, an IT technician, known as Howard to friends in Gwent, and senior science technician Mrs Gravell, ne James, were cycling between Ruoms and Joyeuse when the accident occurred around 3.15pm local time last Thursday.

The male driver of the car was travelling in the opposite direction. Mrs Mills said the British Consulate in Lon told the family the driver who was in collision with her parents suffered a heart attack before the accident.

The driver and a passenger were taken to hospital for treatment. Mrs Mills, who now lives in Southampton, hopes the family will be able to return to the UK by the end of the week.

The Gendarmerie De Largentiere is investigating the collision.

Mr Gravell's brother, Stephen, aged 50, said: "The family are still in shock after John died on the side of the road.

"He still has friends and family in Blaina and they will miss him." Stephen Gravell, from Cwmcelyn Road, Blaina, hoped his brother's body could be brought back to the UK by the weekend.

The family will then make arrangements for the funeral, to be held in Gloucester.

Details will then be printed in the Argus. Mr Gravell met his wife through a caving club and they married in St Julian's before moving to Gloucester to raise their family.