Driver charged over tandem deaths

A motorist has been charged with killing a husband and wife who died when they were knocked off their tandem bicycle.

Nicky Lovell, 38, will appear before North Avon Magistrates' Court on Wednesday accused of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

Lovell, of Oldland Common, South Gloucestershire, has also been charged with driving while disqualified; driving without third party insurance and driving a vehicle and failing to stop after a road accident.

Cyclists Ross and Clare Simons died in a crash on Sunday in Hanham, near Bristol.

Allie Longhorn, senior crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "I have today authorised Avon and Somerset Police to charge Nicky Lovell with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

"I have also authorised charges of driving while disqualified; driving without third party insurance; and driving a vehicle and failing to stop after a road accident.

"Our thoughts are today with the victims' families."

Lovell was arrested after handing himself into police hours after the collision involving Mr and Mrs Simons.

The young couple died less than 24 hours after they celebrated the news that they could undergo fertility treatment to start a family.

Mr Simons, 34, and his 30-year-old wife - described by friends as "two peas in a pod" - died when their bicycle was in collision with a Citroen Picasso car.