Student nurse died of brain injuries after crash

Helna Marie Sibychan died from her injuries six weeks after a car crash

A 20-year-old student nurse died from severe head injuries six weeks after her car crashed into a wall, an inquest has heard.

Helna Mariya Sibychan, who was described by her family as an "adored daughter", had been in intensive care since the crash on the A48 at St Nicholas, Vale of Glamorgan, early on Friday 3 May.

Ms Sibychan, of Cathays, Cardiff, was training to be a nurse at the University of South Wales after moving from India.

The inquest in Pontypridd heard the cause of death was a “traumatic brain injury resulting from a road traffic collision”.

The coroner was told that the car hit a boundary wall and the reason was unknown.

Assistant coroner Kerrie Burge said she was satisfied there was a need for an inquest, but adjourned proceedings to allow more investigation to take place.

She expressed her “sincere condolences” to Ms Sibychan's family.

'Loved by everyone who knew her'

Her family said in a statement: "Helna was an adored daughter, sister and family member and was loved by everyone who knew her.

"She was an ambitious young woman, who aimed to reach great heights in life, but has now so sadly been taken away from us all, far too soon."

The family also expressed their "heartfelt gratitude" to the emergency teams who worked at the scene of the crash and the staff who looked after their daughter at University Hospital of Wales' intensive therapy unit.

"Helna wanted to be a nurse and now we can see why she was attracted to your profession," they said.

"You are all angels here on earth and we will not forget the compassion you showed.

"We are left almost speechless and unable to express our complete devastation as we continue to struggle to come to terms with the reality of losing her so young.

"Nothing could ever replace the void she has left and she will be loved, remembered and missed every day of our lives."