BBC presenter died of infection from crash injuries

Lynda Shahwan was described by BBC colleagues as a ‘very special person’ whose legacy would be ‘always remembered’

17:12, 15 Apr 2026Updated 17:17, 15 Apr 2026

A “much-loved” BBC Radio Wales presenter died of an infection after being discharged from hospital following a car crash, an inquest has found. While on holiday in Canada last year, mum-of-two Lynda Shahwan was injured in the collision and died around four days later.

Pontypridd coroners’ court heard the Caerphilly-born 53-year-old was holidaying in Vancouver with her family. At around 8pm on July 15 she was a passenger in a car with family members when the vehicle was involved in a crash in the north of the city.

The collision caused the vehicle to overturn. Ms Shahwan was taken to Lions Gate Hospital having sustained a fractured rib, collapsed lung, and abdominal bruising. She was discharged the following day.

Coroner Graeme Hughes said the abdominal injuries prevented Ms Shahwan from joining her family on their return flight to London on July 18.

Planning to continue recovering in Vancouver Ms Shahwan stayed at an address in West 13th Avenue. But on July 19 her family were unable to contact her and raised concerns with Canadian authorities who found her body at the property later that day.

Mr Hughes said: “Post-mortem examination determined that she had developed an infection in her abdomen [peritonitis], likely a consequence of injuries sustained in the collision.”

He recorded a conclusion of death from “infective complications of injuries sustained as a consequence of a road traffic collision”.

Ms Shahwan, of Heath in Cardiff, was described by her Radio Wales colleagues as a “very special person”. She had been a co-presenter on Roy Noble’s morning show and on a popular podcast called Terry Walton’s Plotcast, which covered allotment life on a Rhondda hillside.

Also a producer Ms Shahwan was known for her “creativity and innovation”, said Radio Wales editor Carolyn Hitt in a tribute when her death was first announced.

“Since she began her career with Radio Wales in 1999 she made a brilliant impact on the station, on and off air, working across almost all of our output,” she added.

“For several years Lynda was Roy Noble’s fellow presenter on his morning show where he affectionately christened her ‘The Lily from Caerphilly‘.

“More recently Lynda was back in front of the mic once more, this time with Terry Walton, co-presenting and producing her fantastic passion project the Plotcast – just one of the many examples of her creativity and innovation.

“We are all devastated at Radio Wales at the sudden loss of our much-loved colleague and friend and our hearts go out to Lynda’s husband Sharif – who is also a much-loved colleague – their two sons and all their family and friends.”

Her Plotcast co-presenter Mr Walton told BBC Wales: “My last two years of working with Lynda on the Plotcast were the most fulfilling and cherished broadcasting I have done.

“Our chemistry and her creative talent made every episode a gem of gardening knowledge. Such fun whilst still being very informative.

“Her professionalism and easygoing manner made every recording a pleasure and brought the best out of us both. We became true friends and after recording we would both relax and discuss many aspects of life.”

Mr Noble said his late colleague’s legacy “will be always, always remembered”.

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