Police still searching for occupants of fatal hit-and-run car

An inquest into Mr Holdaway's death was opened and adjourned at Black Country Coroner's Court yesterday.

The brief hearing heard that the 62-year-old, from Oldswinford, died in hospital seven days after the crash on Norton Road, at the junction with Harringay Drive at around 4.20pm on May 7.

The car Mr Holdaway was driving, a Dellow MK1, collided with a blue Ford Mondeo – whose occupants fled the scene after the crash.

The hearing heard the Mondeo was travelling in the opposite direction, on the wrong side of the carriageway.

His cause of death was recorded as multi-organ failure and a road traffic collision.

Sergeant Alan Hands, from West Midlands Police, who is investigating the collision, told the hearing they were still looking to identify the driver and the occupants of the other car from extensive CCTV footage and witness accounts.

Assistant coroner Emma Serrano offered her condolences to Mr Holdaway's family, who were not present at the hearing, and adjourned the inquest for six weeks while police continue their investigation.

A further hearing is expected to take place on July 4.

Previously, his family said his death has left ‘a gaping hole’ in their hearts that would never be filled. They also thanked hospital and ambulance staff who looked after Mr Holdaway, a chief electrical engineer.

In a statement, the family said: “Beyond all reasonable expectations, my dad held on for seven whole days. The professionalism of all of the healthcare experts and first responders gave us as a family the opportunity to spend time with my dad we would never otherwise have had.

“We are heartbroken and a gaping hole has been created in all of our hearts that will never be filled.

“But the compassion and love we have received from hundreds of people known and unknown to us have helped hold us strong and retain faith in humanity, even amongst the despair.”