On a bright, sunny evening in June 2022, the A40 dual carriageway near Raglan, Monmouthshire, became the stage for a tragedy that would reverberate through the British sporting community and spark renewed debate about road safety for cyclists. Rebecca Comins, a 52-year-old Team GB triathlete and beloved mother of two, was nine minutes into a 10-mile time trial race when her life was cut short by what a judge later called a "catastrophic misjudgement" by van driver Vasile Barbu.
The event, organized by local club Monmouthshire Wheelers, was a staple for competitive cyclists in the region. Riders set off at one-minute intervals, each aiming to conquer the flat, straight stretch of road as quickly as possible. Mrs Comins, riding her black Argon 18 TT bike and sporting a bright orange race number, was tucked into her aero handlebars and pushing hard uphill, her speedometer recording 21mph (33.7km/h) at the moment disaster struck. According to BBC, she wore navy blue clothing and a dark helmet, and her bike’s rear was lit by a bright, irregularly flashing red light set to daybright mode—meticulously following safety protocols.
Vasile Barbu, a 49-year-old pub owner and courier from Abergavenny, was behind the wheel of a fully-loaded Vauxhall Movano van that was later found to be half a tonne over its legal weight limit. He was driving at speeds between 60mph (96km/h) and 65mph (105km/h), and, as he later told police, could not have gone faster even if he wanted to. Barbu recalled seeing the group of cyclists gathered in the layby and remembered the red light on Mrs Comins’ bike. Yet, as he approached her, he attempted to overtake when he was just two metres (6.5ft) behind—a move that would prove fatal.
In the aftermath, Barbu claimed he thought the noise of the collision was simply a parcel shifting in his van. He dialed 999, telling the operator, "Hello, I've knocked one bicyclist. Quick please." When officers arrived, they found Mrs Comins gravely injured on the grass verge and extensive damage to her bike, including a hole in the rear wheel. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, she could not be saved.
Police, aided by forensic collision investigator Sergeant Cath Raine, meticulously reconstructed the incident. BBC’s Crash Detectives program, which aired on October 14, 2025, documented the investigation in detail. Sgt Raine determined that Barbu, from his elevated position in the van with the sun setting behind, had a clear view of at least 500 meters (1,640ft) of the road ahead. At his speed, this meant Mrs Comins was visible for approximately 18.5 seconds—ample time for any attentive driver to react safely. Sgt Raine explained, "She was doing everything that she could to be safe; to be visible. Pedalling, so biological motion, draws attention. It's one of the things that would have made it easier for any driver following her to be able to see that she was there."
Despite this, Barbu insisted during his police interview that he had seen Mrs Comins only "seconds" before the collision. When asked directly if he was responsible for careless driving, he replied, "I don't think I am, no." He further stated, "I see it [the cyclist]. I give her space. I take myself around... to pass her. And I heard a knock." Yet the investigation—and video footage—contradicted his account. The vertical mark on the van’s front bumper lined up perfectly with the upright bike, confirming he was traveling directly behind her at the moment of impact.
The court heard that Barbu had an empty outside lane available but chose not to move into it, instead attempting to squeeze past dangerously close. Prosecutor James Wilson argued, "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." Another participant recounted how Barbu’s van had "buzzed" him moments before the fatal collision, the wind turbulence causing him to wobble across the road.
Judge Shoman Khan, in sentencing, was unequivocal: "You could very easily have moved to the outside lane to overtake her as other drivers had. You could, and should, have given her far more space and yourself far more time." He described Barbu’s actions as a "catastrophic decision to overtake at the last second" and added, "Only you know why you failed to carry out what should have been a very simple manoeuvre. She was there to be seen, she was there to be seen for many seconds. This was not, I am sure, an emergency situation. It should have been a routine overtaking manoeuvre." Barbu was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving and sentenced to four years in prison, with an additional two-year driving ban.
The loss of Rebecca Comins was felt acutely across the Welsh and British sporting communities. Her family described her as "a wonderful wife and mother to husband Stephen and children George and Millie," adding, "Beckie was incredibly kind and an inspiration to so many. Her impact on the lives of people throughout the local and sporting community has become especially evident by the abundance of tributes and memories shared since her death." Her son George, who had competed in the event alongside her and represented Wales and Team GB with her, stated in a victim impact statement that he had not ridden his time trial bike since her tragic death.
Welsh Triathlon paid tribute, saying, "Becky was a fierce competitor, but with it had a positivity and energy that was infectious. She 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." Comins was also a member of the Dragon Tri Club, Newport Phoenix Cycling Club, and Caldicot Running Club.
The tragedy has prompted reflection on road safety and the responsibilities of drivers when overtaking cyclists. In the wake of the incident, the Highway Code was updated to advise leaving at least 1.5 meters (5ft) when overtaking cyclists at speeds up to 30mph. This change, while welcomed by cycling advocates, comes as cold comfort to those who knew and loved Rebecca Comins.
As the story of her final ride was broadcast to a national audience, it served as both a tribute to a remarkable athlete and a sobering reminder of the consequences of a moment’s inattention behind the wheel. The echoes of that day on the A40 are likely to linger for years to come, urging drivers to think twice—and give space—when sharing the road with cyclists.
