A FAMILY suffered a double tragedy when a 79-year-old great-grandmother died on the same day as her son.

Nancy Brown, of The Square, St Helen Auckland, suffered a fatal heart attack at Darlington Memorial Hospital on Monday, three days after being involved in a road accident near her home.

A funeral service will be held for Mrs Brown and her son, Shaun Everett, 45, from Shildon, at St Helen Auckland Parish Church on Tuesday.

An inquest into Mrs Brown's death was opened and adjourned yesterday at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court.

Pathologist Dr Peri Williams said her heart attack was caused by the trauma of the accident, in Front Street, St Helen Auckland, in which she suffered broken legs.

Evidence was also given by Mrs Brown's daughter, Lynn Binks, of Stanhope Road, Darlington.

Darlington and South Durham Coroner Colin Penna adjourned the hearing while the police investigate the accident.