Cotswolds crash update after rock star and wife dies

Ken Wright, 85, was driving his black Ford Puma on the A44 past Enstone, near Chipping Norton, when he died in a crash on July 9 last year.

His 77-year-old wife Vanessa, who was also in the car, died days later in hospital in Oxford on July 17.

A grey Audi A3, a grey Jaguar XE, a black Ford Puma and a grey Seat Leon were all involved in the smash.

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Their inquest was listed to take place on June 17, but the Oxfordshire coroner service has since confirmed this did not happen because it was an ‘out of file review’ so no final inquest was held.

An out of court file review, or inquest in writing, allows a coroner to review evidence and conclude an inquest solely on written documents.

Ken Wright performing in 2016 (Image: Bev Pegg)

It avoids a formal courtroom hearing and bypasses the need for witnesses or family members to attend in person.

Police have also closed their investigation into the crash and declined to provide further information about the circumstances.

Mr Wright, aged 85, was born in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, and played in jazz bands before joining rock group Cliff Ward and The Cruisers in the 1960s.

He also performed drums on the albums of the late songwriter Clifford T Ward.