Married Couple Ross Matthew and Clare Simons Named as Hanham Hit and Run Cyclists

Ross Matthew and Clare Simons have been named as the cyclists who were killed by a hit and run driver near Bristol on Sunday.

The married couple were cycling on a tandem bike when they were hit by a Citroen Picasso on the Lower Hanham Road.

Both Matthew, 32, and Simons, 30, were pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics and a 38-year-old man later handed himself in to police.

He was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. A 35-year-old woman has also been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.

Police said an officer saw the Citroen travelling along the road at speed.

The officer had indicated for the driver to stop but it made off and sped out of sight almost immediately.

Inspector Frazer Davey, from Avon and Somerset Police's Collision Investigation Team, said: "Following investigations overnight 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."

A spokesman for Great Western Ambulance Service said there was little they could do to save the couple: "We sent an ambulance, paramedics, a rapid response vehicle and had an officer at the scene to liaise with the other services. But unfortunately both the patients were beyond help at the scene."

The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Margaret Leonard, 62, who lives near the crash site, told thisisbristol.co.uk: "There have been several accidents over the years but nothing like this.

"This is a terrible tragedy and it has shocked the whole village."