THE grief-stricken family of a 20-year-old South Korean cyclist who died in a collision with a bus have urged other foreign students to wear safety helmets and fit lights to their bikes.

As relatives and friends gathered in stunned silence on August 15 to remember Yunjin Kim at the scene of the fatal crash, which happened on August 11, her family said they hoped her death would not be in vain.

Speaking through Miss Kim's friend Jinsu Lee, they urged other international students to wear safety helmets and display lights while cycling at night.

"Unfortunately Yunjin was not wearing a safety helmet or using lights at the time of the accident," said Mr Lee.

"Yunjin was not alone in not wearing a helmet. Most foreign students fail to wear one.

"The police have said that if Yunjin had been wearing a helmet she would have survived and we wouldn't be here today.

Her death was caused by head injuries which would have prevented by a helmet."

Mr Lee added: "Yunjin was a lively young woman, very genuine and popular with other students and staff at the EXC language school she attended in Bournemouth.

"She played drums in the Winton Korean Church band and worked as a waitress at a local Chinese restaurant."

Miss Kim's funeral will be held at Bournemouth crematorium on Wednesday and her ashes will be flown to South Korea the next day for a special memorial service.

Mr Lee added: "Yunjin's father died four years ago. She has an older sister and her mother is in South Korea. She is so shocked she has hardly eaten since the accident.

"Her uncle is the only member of Yunjin's family who has travelled to England and he will return with her ashes."

Shocked friends queued at the junction of Beechey Road and Wimborne Road to pay tribute to Miss Kim, taping floral tributes to a pillar following prayers in her memory.

The Rev Graham Roberts, who helped arrange the simple ceremony, said: "Our efforts are now being stepped up to emphasise the necessity for foreign students to wear helmets and use lights."

First published: August 16, 2005