An inquest into the death of a grandmother, who died in a crash just minutes from her Airbnb, has opened. 

Pauline Ward, of Ashton Road in Eye, Suffolk, died following an accident on Beccles Road in Belton, near Great Yarmouth, earlier this month. 

The 74-year-old had been on her way to an Airbnb for a weekend away with her partner, Richard, when the crash happened on the afternoon of Friday, May 5. 

Eastern Daily Press: Pauline Ward and her partner Richard

Three others who were in the same car as Ms Ward were taken to hospital with serious injuries.  

Ms Ward died at the Norfolk and Norwich hospital on Monday, May 8. 

Two people who were travelling in the Mercedes were also taken to hospital with serious injuries.  

An inquest into Ms Ward's death took place at Norfolk Coroner’s Court at County Hall, Norwich, on Thursday, May 25, and was led by senior coroner for Norfolk, Jacqueline Lake. 

The court was told that the mother-of-three, Pauline Ann Ward, was a retired career who was born on June 17, 1948, in Tower Hamlets, London.  

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The medical cause of death was given as multiple traumatic injuries due to a road traffic collision. 

A full inquest to determine the official cause of death will take place after a review hearing in September 2023. 

Following her death, her grandson Jake Prudhomme-Nash paid tribute to her. 

"It's so shocking. She was so excited to go away. They were five minutes from the Airbnb when the accident happened," he said. 

"You hear about those sorts of tragedies happening but you never imagine it being your family. 

"Nan always had a beaming smile on her face. I think that's what people will remember about her, that and her infectious laugh."