Three from same family killed in cycling tragedy

A family has been devastated after a triple road accident led to the deaths of two brothers and their brother-in-law. Seven sons and daughters, from toddler-age to adult, lost their fathers after three cyclists were in collision with a car on Saturday night.

The crash happened in misty, wet and dark conditions on the fast and unlit A193 in Blyth, Northumberland, at 5.30pm. Henry Bryan Harrison, 38, his brother Alan Harrison, 33, both of Blyth, and their brother-in- law Donald Arthur Smith, 49, also from the town, all died in the collision involving a white Ford Mondeo. The driver was being questioned by police yesterday.

Henry Harrison, known by his middle name, Bryan, was the father of an eight-year-old boy, David. A former bus driver and mechanic, he gave up his job to raise his son as a divorced lone parent.

Alan Harrison was the father of a five-month-old daughter, Jessica. He was bringing her up with his wife of eight years, Clare. He was a plumber, but had recently gained a degree and qualified as a chartered surveyor.

Donald Smith was married to the brothers' sister, Elizabeth, and they had three children, Elaine, 25, Steven, 23, and 17-year-old Katherine, who is expecting her first child. He also had two children by a previous marriage.

The one surviving cyclist from the crash, Ray Walls, 25, suffered a broken leg and was treated at the Wansbeck General Hospital, in Northumberland.