Courier driver, 49, who killed a Team GB triathlete when he smashed into the back of her bike thought the ‘bump’ he heard was the sound of a parcel falling in his van, court told

A killer courier heard a ‘bump’ as he delivered a Team GB triathlete from behind but thought it was the sound of a package falling into his van, a court heard.

Delivery person Vasile Barbu, 49, told police he had no idea he had run into mother-of-two Rebecca Comins52, when she was cycling in South Wales.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that Ms Comins was taking part in a time trial cycling race on a clear sunny day and had a bright flashing light attached to her bike when she was sent airborne on June 2, 2022, before dying at the scene.

Barbu, who runs a restaurant alongside his delivery business, is said to have failed to maneuver around the champion sportswoman despite the outer lane of the dual carriageway being empty.

He told police he saw Ms Comins “seconds” before he walked around her and said he estimated he had given a distance of three feet.

Killer courier Vasile Barbu (seen), 49, thought the sound of a cyclist being hit was from a package falling into the back of his van

Team GB triathlete Rebecca Comins, 52, died at the scene on the A40 near Raglan, South Wales, on June 2, 2022.

Barbu told police he had no idea he had driven into the mother-of-two and said he left an estimated three feet of space as he moved around her.

Barbu said, “I heard a knock, but I didn’t think I would hit her.”

He then stopped and found her lying injured on the ground, “breathing hard.”

‘I asked her, ‘Are you okay? Are you injured? What’s your name?’ he added.

The court heard that warning signs had been erected due to the time trial event and that other competitors were on their way when the tragedy occurred.

Cyclists took off at one-minute intervals along the A40 dual carriageway near Raglan, Gwent, during the event organized by local club Monmouthshire Wheelers.

Another attendee recalled how Barbu passed so close to his bike just before the fatal collision that he was ‘buzzed’ by the white Vauxhall Movano van and the wind turbulence caused him to wobble across the road.

Barbu could not explain how the collision occurred and told police he saw Ms Comins and gave her a two-metre head start just before the crash.

He accepted he collided with her and admitted causing death by careless driving – which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

But Cardiff Crown Court heard his ‘devastating and catastrophic failure’ to get out of the way amounted to death by dangerous driving, which he denies.

He accepted he collided with her and admitted causing death by careless driving – which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison – but denied causing death by dangerous driving, which carries a longer maximum penalty.

Prosecutor James Wilson said: ‘This was not a momentary misjudgment or a lack of concentration. Given the road and weather conditions and as conspicuous as she would have been, the defendant’s inability to avoid a collision with the rear of Ms Comins was a gross, catastrophic failure amounting to dangerous driving.

Prosecutor James Wilson said: “Rebecca Comins was there to be seen. Visibility was good, she cycled with a bright rear light and was therefore clearly visible to other witnesses.

‘Her presence on that road was not unexpected. Barbu is said to have seen the road signs for the cycling event and passed other similar cyclists before reaching Ms Comins.

‘She cycled correctly and stood correctly on the road. She was on a long, straight stretch of road and had plenty of time to see her.

‘Furthermore, he had space on the outside lane to approach her, maneuver around her safely and avoid a collision. Instead he hit Ms Comins directly from behind.

‘This was not a temporary misjudgment or lack of concentration. Considering the road and weather conditions and as conspicuous as she would have been, the defendant’s inability to avoid a collision with the rear of Ms Comins was a gross, catastrophic failure amounting to dangerous driving.

‘His dangerous driving caused Ms Comins’ death.’

Romanian-born Barbu, from Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, denies causing death by dangerous driving – which carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. The jury retired earlier today to deliberate their verdict.

Tributes were paid to Rebecca, known as Becky, who at the time of her death was the Vintage Veterans Champion of the Welsh Triathlon Super Series and had represented Wales the weekend before the crash.

Mrs Comins, ‘Becky’, was a member of the Dragon Tri Club, Newport Phoenix Cycling Club and Caldicot Running Club

Mrs Comins was the Vintage Veterans Champion of the Welsh Triathlon Super Series at the time of her death and had represented Wales the weekend before the crash

In a statement, Welsh Triathlon said: ‘Becky was a fierce competitor, but with that had a positivity and energy that was infectious.

‘Becky was a multiple Ironman Wales finisher and also represented the Great Britain Age Group Team at the 2018 European Championships in Tartu, as well as the 2019 World Championships in Lausanne, where he finished competitively in both.

“She loved the sport; she loved the training and Becky was at the center of all her clubs’ social activities.

‘Becky will be sadly missed by everyone within our triathlon community, and we send our deepest condolences to Becky’s family, Steve, George and Millie and her wider friends at this sad time.’

Becky was a member of the Dragon Tri Club, Newport Phoenix Cycling Club and Caldicot Running Club.