British cyclists killed in Thailand truck accident

A British couple who were on a cycling tour of the world have been killed by a truck in Thailand.

Peter Root and Mary Thompson set off on the trip of a lifetime last July, and had cycled through Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and China.

The pair, who had been chronicling their journey in a blog, died after being struck by a pick-up truck in a province east of Bangkok last Wednesday.

The couple, who met at art school, lived in Guernsey in the Channel Islands.

Mr Root's father Jerry said the "inspirational" pair were experienced cyclists.

He said: "They didn't just talk about it, they did it. I couldn't be prouder of them.

"They were camping wild, as they called it.

"What helps me is to think of how happy they were with each other. They were leading the life they wanted to. It was the happiest, the most fruitful of lives."

Tributes to the couple, who were both 34, were left on the Thorn Tree travel forum website, with one post saying they would be "sorely missed by all the cycling community".

The driver of the pick-up truck was arrested and faces charges of causing death by dangerous driving, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokeswoman said: "We are aware of the deaths of two British nationals in Thailand on the 13th of February.

"We are providing consular assistance to their families at this time."

PA