Family pays tribute to 80 year-old man who died in Pontardawe road traffic accident

The 80-year old man who died following a single-vehicle road traffic collision on Monday (11 October) in Pontardawe has been named as Thomas Edward Thomas, known to his family as ‘Eddie’.

The accident occurred around 2.30pm when a silver Vauxhall Astra collided with a wall on Hopkin Street in the town.

Eddie’s family have paid tribute.

“’Eddie the Cobbler’ ran a shoe repair and key cutting shop in the Aberavon shopping centre, Port Talbot for the past 43 years, and passed away in a single vehicle road traffic collision.

“He is survived by his lifelong partner Gwyneth Morgan, who he idolised. She was sadly also injured in the same collision and is currently in hospital receiving treatment.

“He will be sorely missed by his step-sons Andrew and Alistair, his grandson Christian and the wider family. “Eddie was a keen snooker player where he will be known from his years playing at the Top Club, Jubilee and Pontardawe Working Men’s Club.

“Over the years he has run a cobblers shop in Morriston, where he will be most remembered as larger than life in the Aberavon shopping centre. He was a well-loved figure, family say he could be heard before he was seen.”

Officers investigating the collision are appealing to anyone who has any dash-cam footage of the collision to contact South Wales Police quoting reference: 357217.