TEAM GB TRIATHLETE WAS KILLED DURING A CYCLING RACE — NOW THE DRIVER WHO HIT HER IS BEING DEPORTED

Rebecca Comins was an accomplished Team GB triathlete and mother of two. In 2022, her life ended during a cycling time trial after a Romanian van driver struck her from behind. Now, years after the tragedy, he has lost his appeal against deportation from the UK.

A RACE THAT ENDED IN TRAGEDY

Rebecca “Becky” Comins, 52, was taking part in a time trial cycling event organized by Monmouthshire Cycling Club when she was struck from behind on a dual carriageway in 2022.

The conditions were clear and sunny, and Rebecca had a flashing light attached to her bicycle.

Cyclists were setting off at one-minute intervals along the route, which had signs warning motorists that the race was taking place.

Behind the wheel of a van was Romanian driver Vasile Barbu, who was delivering furniture.

According to evidence heard in court, Barbu failed to safely manoeuvre around Rebecca.

The collision sent the experienced cyclist flying from her bike.

Rebecca died from her injuries.

DRIVER JAILED AFTER THE CRASH

The case later went before Cardiff Crown Court.

Barbu told police that he believed he had given the cyclist around two metres of space. However, he was unable to explain how the collision had occurred.

The court also heard that, shortly before hitting Rebecca, Barbu had passed another cyclist in a manner described as “buzzing” the rider.

Barbu admitted causing death by careless driving and was eventually jailed for four years in July 2024.

The sentencing judge said it remained difficult to understand why the collision had happened after considering the evidence.

NOW HE WILL BE DEPORTED

Barbu later challenged a decision to deport him from Britain.

He had moved to the UK in 2002, initially working as a pub chef before eventually owning a bar. He married a Romanian woman in 2004 and the couple had twins.

Barbu argued that Britain had become his permanent home and that he identified strongly with British culture and traditions.

But an immigration tribunal rejected his appeal.

The judge found that the seriousness of the driving offence outweighed Barbu’s private and family-life considerations.

The tribunal also concluded that the vehicle involved should not have been on the road because it was described as overloaded and deficient.

The judge ruled that deporting Barbu would not breach his rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

WHO WAS REBECCA COMINS?

Rebecca was far more than the victim at the center of a court case.

She was an accomplished endurance athlete who had represented Great Britain at major international triathlon competitions.

She finished ninth at the 2018 Tartu ETU Triathlon European Championships and 30th at the 2019 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in Lausanne.

At the time of her death, she was the reigning Vintage Veteran Champion of the Welsh Triathlon Super Series.

She had also represented Wales just one weekend before the fatal collision.

For her family and fellow athletes, Rebecca’s death meant the loss of a highly experienced competitor, mother and friend whose life was deeply connected to sport.

YEARS LATER, THE CASE HAS REACHED ANOTHER TURN

Rebecca’s death happened more than four years ago.

But the legal consequences have continued.

Barbu has now lost his appeal against deportation, with the immigration tribunal finding that the public interest in removing him from the UK outweighed his private and family circumstances.

For Rebecca’s loved ones, the ruling marks another chapter in a tragedy that began on a sunny day when an experienced athlete set out to compete in a race — and never came home.

Rebecca Comins was 52. A mother. An international athlete. And a woman whose life extended far beyond the circumstances of her death.