Husband And Lawyers Issue Road Safety Warning After Driver Jailed

The widower of an academic fatally injured when a bus driver crashed into a bridge has revealed the “life of sorrow” his family face following her death. 

Jing Ren suffered a serious brain injury when a double decker bus ploughed into the railway bridge in Swansea as the driver took a detour from his usual route. A further 11 people were injured.

Jing, a mum-of-one, who was the only passenger on the top deck’s front row, was airlifted to hospital. She died, aged 36, 11 days later. 

Lawyers help family after Swansea University academic's death in bus crash

Following Jing’s death her husband, Wenquang Wang, a lecturer, instructed expert road accident lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help him and the couple’s now six-year-old son Yushu, access the specialist support they require to try and come to terms with their ordeal. 

Wenquang, aged 39, has now joined his legal team at Irwin Mitchell in speaking for the first time about his loss and warning of the consequences of dangerous driving. 

It comes after the bus driver was jailed for two-and-a-half years in connection with the collision. 

Expert Opinion

“This is a truly tragic case in which Wenquang has lost his beloved wife and their son has lost his loving and caring mum. Jing’s totally avoidable death has also left a huge void in the lives of her many friends and academic colleagues.

“Her death vividly highlights the heartbreak that innocent families can be left to face because of the dangerous actions of road users who put lives at risk.

“While nothing can make up for what has happened we hope that this case acts a warning of the need to obey the law on the road at all times.

“We will continue to support Wenquang and his family at this incredibly distressing time so that they can access the specialist support they need to help them come to terms with what has happened the best they can.” Deborah Rose - Partner

Swansea bus crash: Jing Ren's family's story

Jing was on a six month exchange placement at Swansea University from Huanghuai University in China. She was due to return home in January 2020. 

On the morning of 12 December, 2019, Jing was on the bus which was travelling between Swansea University’s Singleton and Bay campuses.

The service was reported to be running late when the driver took a detour to try and make up time, Swansea Crown Court was told. 

However, the vehicle crashed into a bridge on an unclassified road near a park and ride car park, with the impact tearing off most of the upper deck. 

Jing was airlifted to hospital with multiple injuries, including brain and spinal injuries. 

The court was told that driver had driven on the unclassified road many times before but only in the small single-decker vehicles that operate on the park and ride route.

Tribute to 'brilliant academic and 'best wife and mum'

Wenquang said: “Jing was a brilliant academic but was also the best wife and mum our family could ever wish for. 

“She had her entire life ahead of her and it’s heartbreaking that it was taken away from her in such needless circumstances. 

“I respect the laws of the UK but I’m not satisfied with the length of the sentence. I don’t blame the judge but what Jing’s death has highlighted is that often those who rip families apart seem to be the ones who receive a lesser sentence. 

Road safety plea after fatal Swansea bus crash

“While it may be more than a year since Jing’s death I can’t live my life like I used to. Since the day of the crash my whole family has been living in sorrow and I can only imagine this sorrow will go on. 

“Nothing can make up for the piercing pain our family continue to feel but we know nothing can bring Jing back. All we can hope for now is that by speaking out drivers realise the devastation they can cause and take care on the roads at all time. I wouldn’t wish what we are going through on anyone else.”

The bus driver, Eric Vice, aged 64, of Dunvant, Swansea pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving in connection with Jing’s death. He also admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving in connection to injuries another passenger, who required facial reconstruction. 

Find out more about our expertise in supporting families following road collisions at our dedicated serious injury section. Alternatively to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.