Tributes paid to Ukrainian refugee who died after being struck by car in Morriston

South Wales Police say they are continuing to investigate a fatal collision which happened on the A4067 Neath Road in Morriston, at 6:20pm on Wednesday 31 January where a 40-year-old female pedestrian was struck by a white Chevrolet Captiva.

The 40-year-old women from Kharkiv, Ukraine, died as a result of the collision and has since been named as Tetiana Martynova.

Tetiana was in the UK after fleeing Ukraine when Russia invaded in February 2022.

Her hosts have paid the following tribute: “Tetiana (known locally as Tania) had fled her native city Kharkiv in Ukraine due to the ongoing war, along with her 13-year-old son, and arrived in Swansea in July 2022.

“Tania was an impressive woman, multi-lingual, intelligent, high-flying, hard-working, committed and diligent in her tender care of Illia.

“She was driven to scholastic achievement here in Swansea, building on her Ukrainian excellence in accountancy with further qualifications and working so hard for a local Swansea company utilising her impressive range of skills.

“She was a stalwart of the Ukrainian community in Swansea, playing her full part in all their social and cultural activities, marking the continued defiance of her Nation.

“Her warm and pleasant personality permeated every gathering.

“Lives here in Wales were hugely enriched by knowing Tania, her numerous friends and work colleagues are all devastated by her sudden passing.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Illia here in Wales, and Tania’s family back in Ukraine.

“Tania’s dream of returning to Ukraine this summer will sadly now not be realised.

“We are all grateful to the Emergency Services at the scene of this terrible accident for their diligence and care and also for the supreme professionalism of the Medical and Nursing care on the Critical Care Unit at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

“Huge thanks to all. We are devastated. Our hearts are broken. Tania became like a daughter to us both. Our tears flow for a remarkable young woman. Ukraine has lost one of its finest.”

Officers from South Wales Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision or anyone with dash camera footage who may have seen the collision or events leading up to it to contact them, quoting reference 2400036408.

(Lead image: Family photo / South Wales Police)