Pastor from South Warwickshire and his wife died of numerous injuries after accident

A retired South Warwickshire vicar and his wife died from multiple injuries when they were hit by a car while out walking in Wales, an inquest has heard.

Reverend Stephen Burch and his wife Katherine were in the village of Beaumaris on Anglesey when they were struck by an Audi A8 at around 2.45pm on Wednesday 28 August.

The couple lived in Alcester and Reverend Stephen was vicar of St James, Fletchamstead, in the parish of Stoneleigh, for 19 years before retiring at the end of last year.

The rescue services were quickly on site, but could not save the 65-year-old couple; they died at the scene of the accident, as did the 81-year-old Audi driver.

An inquest in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, heard that Mr and Mrs Burch were pronounced dead by paramedics at 3.21pm. The provisional cause of death was given as multiple injuries.

The driver was confirmed to be Humphrey Pickering from Colwyn Bay in County Conwy. At 3.20pm, he was pronounced dead at the scene by rescue helicopters. Chest injuries were given as the provisional cause of death.

Mr Pickering was a retired librarian who was born in Shropshire but lived in the Colwyn Bay area.

Kate Robertson, Coroner for North West Wales, expressed her condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and acknowledged the considerable efforts of the public and emergency services at the scene.

She added that the inquiry would be adjourned to allow for further investigation.

North Wales Police have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the tragedy.