Couple killed in Hanham tandem crash named as Ross and Clare Simons

THE couple who died after their tandem bicycle was in collision with a car in Hanham yesterday have been named as 34-year-old Ross Matthews Simons and 30-year-old Clare Simons 

Both died at the scene of the incident as a result of the injuries they sustained.

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses and information following the hit-and-run incident, which happened shortly before 4pm yesterday in Lower Hanham Road. 

A spokesman for the Avon and Somerset Constabulary said a police officer's attention was drawn to a Citroen Picasso travelling along Lower Hanham Road at speed. The officer indicated to the car to stop but it made off. The officer began to follow the car but it was lost almost immediately.

Very shortly afterwards the car struck another vehicle and then collided with two cyclists on a tandem bicycle.

Inspector Frazer Davey from the collision investigation team said: "Following investigations over night the circumstances of this collision have become much clearer. However I would appeal to anyone who witnessed this incident or saw this car in the area shortly before the collision to come forward and contact us.

"This is a tragic incident in which two people have needlessly lost their lives. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with their families."

The matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and a 38-year-old man arrested on suspicion of death by dangerous driving remains in police custody. A 35-year-old woman has also been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.