Rock star and BBC worker, 85, died in Cotswolds crash

An inquest into the deaths of a BBC worker and a rock star is due to open this month in Oxford. Ken Wright, 85, was driving a black Ford Puma along the A44 past Enstone near Chipping Norton when the crash occurred on July 9 last year; his wife, Vanessa Wright, 77, died days later in hospital in Oxford on July 17. The collision also involved a grey Audi A3, a grey Jaguar XE, a black Ford Puma, and a grey Seat Leon, prompting road closures during the incident.

Born in Kidderminster, Wright performed in jazz bands before joining Cliff Ward and The Cruisers in the 1960s, and later worked as an accountant at the BBC after moving to London, where he met Vanessa. Friends Bev Pegg and Mel Hayward recalled his musical past and long friendship, noting the abruptness of the tragedy. The inquest will be held at Oxford Coroner's Court on June 17 before senior coroner Darren Salter, with local officials and councillors highlighting the road's dangers and the potential need for a safety review.