Friends killed when car plunged into river on Christmas Day had been out drinking, inquest told

Two people killed when a car entered a river on Christmas Day had been out for festive drinks prior to the crash, an inquest has heard. The bodies of Jay Kyle Jenkins^[1] and Rachel Curtis^[2], both 36, were found after emergency services received reports of a vehicle entering the River Tawe in Swansea in the early hours of December 25^[3] last year.

Their bodies were found nearby after emergency services were called at around 3.05am on Christmas Day following reports that a BMW Mini coupe had gone into the River Tawe after travelling along the A483 New Cut Road. An inquest into their deaths at Swansea's Guildhall heard how the car, which was being driven by Miss Curtis, had collided with a pedestrian barrier before entering the water after she took a hard right turn towards Pentreguinea Road.

The inquest heard how Miss Curtis and Mr Jenkins had met in Wind Street in Swansea city centre earlier that evening, together with two other friends, where they had Christmas drinks together after Miss Curtis finished her shift working at The Coach House. They went on to visit Bank Statement, where the inquest heard that Miss Curtis was observed by a witness drinking a large glass of rose, and then Jack Murphys before leaving at around 2.30am. Miss Curtis and Mr Jenkins walked to The Strand, where Miss Curtis had parked her car, and got in the vehicle and were driving in the northbound direction towards New Cut Road where the collision took place. For the latest Swansea news sign up to our newsletter here^[4].

PC Matthew Jones, of South Wales Police's investigation unit, read a report to the inquest hearing explaining how the parapet railing had been manufactured by British Steel in 1986 and was designed to withstand a collision of around 30mph, which he said suggested the speed limit had been exceeded. It was subject of a review every two years with the latest inspection having taken place in August 2021, which found minor scrape damage but no major defects. Ken Williams Motors took the vehicle to its compound where an examination was later carried out by police and no defects were found which would have contributed to the collision.

The inquest heard the vehicle had left the road for "unknown reasons" with CCTV showing no other vehicles were involved. As a result of the crash the vehicle had sustained extensive front-end damage and the bonnet and roof were crushed downwards. Coroner's officer Christopher Jones read a statement on behalf of Miss Curtis' mother, Gemma Curtis, which heard how her daughter was "born with an inquisitive mind" and had a talent for art and music, having played the piano and clarinet. It also explained how she had been a popular, witty, and loyal person. She had done work to raise money for charity and had gained certificates in self-defence and door supervising. Miss Curtis had enjoyed a holiday to Turkey in September 2022 and had a love for animals and in particular ferrets, the inquest heard. Gemma Curtis' statement added: "Rachel was loved by so many people – especially her son. She will be missed more than you'll ever know."

A statement was also read on behalf of Mike Jenkins, Mr Jenkins' uncle. It heard: "To say we are lost and heartbroken without Jay is an understatement. Both myself and his father struggle daily. He has lost his only son and I have lost my nephew. It is hard to accept. He loved computers and took it into his future work. He enrolled on a computer course in Tycoch only to realise he knew more than the lecturer. He had a amazing ability to learn and could turn his hand to anything. Despite his good looks he was unlucky with girls and saved more of his affection for his beloved dogs. He was a real animal lover. He had gone into Wind Street to socialise with friends and have a few drinks to enjoy Christmas. The extent of that car journey has had a catastrophic impact on both families. He was a happy, carefree, and considerate man and is so missed. Not a day goes by where we don't talk about him. He will remain in our thoughts forever."

Post-mortem examination reports found Miss Curtis had 172mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood meaning she was more than twice the legal limit to drive at the time of the journey. The medical cause of death for both Mr Jenkins, who lived at Mackworth Terrace in St Thomas, and Miss Curtis, who lived at Jersey Road in Bonymaen, was given as drowning. Acting senior coroner Colin Phillips, returning his conclusion, said: "This was a single-vehicle collision with no other vehicles involved. The evidence says there was no defect on the highway in terms of road safety or lighting. We cannot be sure of the speed although it was suggested that it exceeded the speed limit to go through the barrier.

"It is clear that the driver of the vehicle lost control of it through driver error – possibly a medical event might have played a factor. We will never be absolutely certain what happened." Mr Phillips returned a road traffic collision conclusion.

The family of Mr Jenkins, of St Thomas, released a tribute in his memory following his death describing him as “our beautiful, kind boy", adding: “Jay was a kind, genuine soul who was always helping other people. The local community are devastated.” They also shared that he worked as an electrician and was a friend of Miss Curtis' since their school days. The family of Miss Curtis added: “Rachel was a funny, intelligent, and unique person. She was extremely talented and creative in nails and art. She worked at the Liberty Stadium teaching therapeutic art and nail art. She was a self-defence instructor and an elite security instructor, trained as a close protection officer and door supervisor. She helped raise money for the Jack Lewis Foundation which is a suicide prevention charity. Rachel also raised money for Matthew's House, a homeless charity, and was involved in youth projects helping young girls. Rachel will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her, especially her 14-year-old son."

References

1. ^{^} Jay Kyle Jenkins (www.walesonline.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Rachel Curtis (www.walesonline.co.uk)
3. ^{^} vehicle entering the River Tawe in Swansea in the early hours of December 25 (www.walesonline.co.uk)
4. ^{^} For the latest Swansea news sign up to our newsletter here (www.walesonline.co.uk)
5. ^{^} Car hit barriers before entering river in Christmas Day crash which killed two friends (www.walesonline.co.uk)
6. ^{^} Woman out walking her dogs trampled to death by cows, inquest told (www.walesonline.co.uk)