Avon and Somerset police are appealling for witnesses to come forward following a fatal road traffic collision that claimed the lives of two cyclists.
At shortly before 4pm yesterday, a Citroen Xsara Picasso caught police attention as it travelled at speed along Lower Hanham Road in Bristol. The police officer involved indicated for the driver to stop but they failed to do so and the vehicle was lost to sight almost immediately.
Very shortly afterwards, the Citroen struck another vehicle and then collided with two cyclists riding a tandem bicycle. Both 32-year-old Ross Matthew Simons and his wife, 30-year-old Clare Simons, died at the scene of the incident as a result of the injuries they had sustained.
A 38-year-old man who left the scene of the collision has handed himself in at a police station and been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He remains in police custody. A 35-year-old woman has also been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, and the matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
Inspector Frazer Davey from the 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."
Anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident or who witnessed the collision is urged to contact the police on 101.
The Citroen Picasso surrounded by police investigators
