AN INQUEST into the death of a Newport farmer who died after his tractor overturned was opened yesterday.

Cecil George Rees, 88, died on Monday after the tractor he was driving on his farmland at Duffryn Court Farm, Bassaleg, overturned, a hearing in Newport was told.

A post mortem examination showed Mr Rees died from multiple injuries.

At the opening of the inquest at Gwent Coroner’s Office, coroner’s officer Kenneth Le Prevost said Mr Rees had been driving the tractor, which had a full cab, on the farmland on Monday afternoon.

He was negotiating a slope with the tractor when it overturned.

Mr Rees was trapped in the cab but was initially conscious. He was taken to the city’s Royal Gwent Hospital where his condition deteriorated and he died.

Mr Le Prevost said an investigation is currently taking place involving the police and the Health and Safety Executive. Gwent coroner David Bowen opened the inquest and adjourned it for three months while investigations continue.

He allowed for Mr Rees’ body to be released to his family for his funeral.