THE young girl killed with her mother in a two-car smash on the Heads of the Valleys road last week died of multiple injuries, the opening of their inquests heard yesterday.

Six-year-old Ffion Elizabeth Merrifield and her mother, Stephanie Curtis, 35, from Nantyglo, died within hours of each other after the horrific head-on crash on the A465 a mile west of Gilwern last Thursday morning.

At the opening of their inquest, Gwent Police coroner's officer Ken Leprovst told Gwent Coroner David Bowen Ffion was pronounced dead upon arrival at Abergavenny's Nevill Hall Hospital.

A post mortem examination showed she died from multiple injuries, Mr Leprovst said.

Mrs Curtis was taken to the University of Wales Hospital, Cardiff after the crash and died a short while later. The hearing heard the results of her post mortem examination are still pending.

Mr Bowen adjourned the inquest until September 29 and authorised the release of both bodies for funerals.

Mrs Curtis, a Nevill Hall Hospital worker, had a partner, Darren, and two children. Ffion, a Coed-y-Garn Primary School pupil, was the eldest.

A family tribute released after their deaths said: "Stephanie was a much loved, hard working mother, devoted to her children and both Stephanie and Ffion will be dreadfully missed by their family and friends.

"Ffion was adventurous and energetic, she absolutely loved animals. She was friendly, outgoing, bubbly and absolutely loved singing.

"They leave a devoted partner and father and also a loving daughter and sister. They will leave a big hole not just in the family but in the local community. "

Mrs Curtis and her daughter were travelling in a blue Peugeot which crashed with a silver Mercedes driven by a 69-year-old woman from Gilwern, and another woman.

The two women in the Mercedes sustained minor injuries.

Gwent Police are still investigating the crash and anyone with information is asked to call 01633 642404.