TEAM GB triathlete has died while taking part in a cycling race, after being hit by a van on a dual carriageway near Ragland.
A court heard on Monday, June 3, that 52-year-old Rebecca Comins was riding on a clear sunny day and had a bright flashing light attached to her bike, when she was sent flying into the air after a van driver smashed into her from behind.
Van driver Vasile Barbu, 49, allegedly failed to manoeuvre around the champion sportswoman Mrs Comins, despite the outside lane of the dual carriageway being empty.
South Wales Argus: Rebecca Comins, 52, was taking part in a time trial cycling race with warning signs in place and other cyclists on the road when the incident happened.
Rebecca Comins, 52, was taking part in a time trial cycling race with warning signs in place and other cyclists on the road when the incident happened. (Image: Wales News Service)
The court heard Mrs Comins was taking part in a time trial cycling race with warning signs in place and other cyclists on the road when the tragedy happened.
Cyclists set off at one minute intervals along the A40 dual carriageway near Raglan, South Wales, in the event organised by local club, Monmouthshire Wheelers.
Another participant told how moments before the fatal collision, Barbu passed so close to his bike, he was “buzzed” by the white Vauxhall Movano van and the wind turbulence caused him to wobble across the road.
South Wales Argus: Rebecca Comins, 52
Rebecca Comins, 52 (Image: Wales News Service)
Barbu was unable to explain how the collision took place and told police he saw Mrs Comins and gave a two-metre gap moments before the crash.
He accepted he must have collided with her and admitted causing death by careless driving.
But Cardiff Crown Court heard his “devastating and catastrophic failure” to move out of the way amounted to death by dangerous driving, which he denies.
South Wales Argus: Van driver Vasile Barbu, 49, allegedly failed to manoeuvre around champion sportswoman Mrs Comins despite the outside lane of the dual carriageway being empty.
Van driver Vasile Barbu, 49, allegedly failed to manoeuvre around champion sportswoman Mrs Comins despite the outside lane of the dual carriageway being empty. (Image: Wales News Service)
Prosecutor James Wilson said: “Rebecca Comins was there to be seen. Visibility was good, she was cycling with a bright rear light so was clearly obvious to other witnesses.
“Her presence on that road was not unexpected. Barbu would have seen the road signs for the cycling event taking place and would have passed other similar cyclists before he reached Mrs Comins.
South Wales Argus: Barbu was unable to explain how the collision took place and told police he saw Mrs Comins and gave a two-metre gap moments before the crash.
Barbu was unable to explain how the collision took place and told police he saw Mrs Comins and gave a two-metre gap moments before the crash. (Image: Wales News Service)
“She was cycling in a proper manner and correctly positioned on the road. She was on a long, straight stretch of road with plenty of time for him to see her.
“Further he had space in the outside lane to move into and safely manoeuvre around her and to avoid colliding. He instead directly hit Mrs Comins from behind.
“This was not a momentary misjudgement or lack of concentration. From the road and the weather conditions and how conspicuous she would have been, the defendant’s failure to avoid colliding into the back of Mrs Comins was a gross, catastrophic failure which amounted to dangerous driving.
South Wales Argus: Her presence on that road was not unexpected.
Her presence on that road was not unexpected. (Image: Wales News Service)
“His dangerous driving caused the death of Mrs Comins.”
Tributes were paid to Rebecca, known as Becky, who was the Vintage Veteran Champion of the Welsh Triathlon Super Series at the time of her death in June 2022 and had represented Wales the weekend before the crash.
In a statement, Welsh Triathlon said: “Becky was a fierce competitor, but with it had a positivity and energy that was infectious.
South Wales Argus: Tributes were paid to Rebecca, known as Becky.
Tributes were paid to Rebecca, known as Becky. (Image: Wales News Service)
“Becky was a multiple Ironman Wales finisher and also represented the Great Britain Age Group Team at the European Championships in Tartu 2018, as well as at the World Championships in Lausanne in 2019, finishing competitively in both.
“She loved the sport; she loved the training and Becky was central to any social activities across her clubs.
“Becky will be sadly missed by everyone within our triathlon community, and we extend our deepest sympathies to Becky’s family, Steve, George and Millie and her wider friends at this sad time.”
South Wales Argus: Becky will be sadly missed by everyone within our triathlon community,
Becky will be sadly missed by everyone within our triathlon community, (Image: Wales News Service)
Becky was a member of the Dragon Tri Club, Newport Phoenix Cycling Club and Caldicot Running Club.
Romanian-born Barbu, of Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, denies causing death by dangerous driving.
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