Motorcycle couple killed at Gisburn accident blackspot

‘NASTY STRETCH’: The crash involved no other vehicles and happened on the A682 Burnley Road, Gisburn ‘NASTY STRETCH’: The crash involved no other vehicles and happened on the A682 Burnley Road, Gisburn

A HUSBAND and wife were killed after their motorcycle crashed off a notorious East Lancashire road.

Keith Lowcock, 55, and his wife Elaine, 48, from Heywood, near Rochdale, died after being thrown from their Honda CBR 1100 on the A682 Burnley Road in Gisburn yesterday.

Police have issued an appeal for witnesses following the crash and a council chief has vowed to press for action on the road, one of the most dangerous in East Lancashire.

The couple were riding down Burnley Road towards Barrowford at around 5.30pm when they lost control on a left-hand bend close to Howgill Lane and hit a wire fence, police said.

Paramedics offered emergency first aid but Mr Lowcock died at the scene.

His wife was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary but died later.

Traffic officers have launched an investigation into the crash. It is understood no other vehicles were involved.

A Lancashire Police spokes-woman urged witnesses to come forward and help with the investigation.

Albert Atkinson, deputy leader of Lancashire County Council, is councillor for the area.

He said: “At one time this road was named the most dangerous in Europe but since then there has been some engineering work to make it a bit safer.

“It is a nasty stretch of road and unfortunately riders and drivers do push it.

“I would urge anyone to take care on that road.”

He said he would raise the issue of the road when he meets a top council director this week.

Family liaison officers were today with relatives of Mr and Mrs Lowcock.

Anyone with information about the incident should call Lancashire Police on 08451 253545.

Comments(27)

cloud99 says...
10:19pm Sat 16 Oct 10

It is very sad that more lives have been lost on this road, but it has nothing to do with the road, it's the people who use the road.
Many times while i have driven on this stretch of road, idiots come round corners on the wrong side of the road.

Michael@ClitheroeSince58 says...
10:39pm Sat 16 Oct 10

To all involved I'm so sorry, I had so many years pleasure motorcycling, but when it all goes wrong so sadly these days it ends in total tragedy rip :(

m.leyland says...
1:28am Sun 17 Oct 10

myself & 2 friends were riding along the same road minutes after this happened.

the police, paramedics, ambulance service and air ambulance were at the scene and couldn't have done more.
we could tell it was a serious accident, whatever had happened.
sincere condolances to family and friends, a very sad loss.

the accident was right on the blind crest of a sharp right hand bend - why are there no chevrons and double white lines on that bend?

The offspring says...
12:11pm Sun 17 Oct 10

Im appalled with some of the previous comments on this article,you sad judgemental Bastards .A couple have died my thoughts are with the family and friends of them.R.I.P

Mikeee47 says...
12:22pm Sun 17 Oct 10

The offspring wrote:
Im appalled with some of the previous comments on this article,you sad judgemental Bastards .A couple have died my thoughts are with the family and friends of them.R.I.P
I totally agree, too much speculation about unknown facts , it says in the story they lost control, whos to say the didn't skid out on diesel or maybe cow sh1t that farmers leave on roads; condolences to the families another sad loss of fellow bikers,

Stu036 says...
3:18pm Sun 17 Oct 10

RIP, ride free

useyourhead says...
3:45pm Sun 17 Oct 10

our little 1% club has lost again, so so sad, R.I.P and ride free!

Cazza70 says...
7:33pm Sun 17 Oct 10

RIP So sad

scherben says...
8:13pm Sun 17 Oct 10

I'm the fiancee of the daughter of Keith and Elaine, and some of the comments made by the keyboard judges on here are sickening.

Keith was an excellent driver, and all you can do is mock the family who've have to pick up the pieces after losing their parents. Still, I hope it's nice and warm in your smug little world, unlike that for their daughter who now is left to grieve. hang your heads in shame.

Offspring, M.Leyland and Michael: many, many thanks; your comments are appreciated very much.

Markus Spartacus says...
8:39pm Sun 17 Oct 10

I have a policy of not posting anything on line that I wouldn't be happy to say to someone in a face to face conversation. 2 people have lost their lives in tragic circumstances and a little compassion is called for. Imagine if the knock came at your door, then you had to read comments like some posted on here.

Redbike says...
8:55pm Sun 17 Oct 10

scherben wrote:
I'm the fiancee of the daughter of Keith and Elaine, and some of the comments made by the keyboard judges on here are sickening. Keith was an excellent driver, and all you can do is mock the family who've have to pick up the pieces after losing their parents. Still, I hope it's nice and warm in your smug little world, unlike that for their daughter who now is left to grieve. hang your heads in shame. Offspring, M.Leyland and Michael: many, many thanks; your comments are appreciated very much.
My sincere condolences to your parents / in-laws. R.I.P. and ride free.

I'm disgusted by the predjudiced comments posted. There are so many dangers to Motorcyclists - A Diesel spill, Cow Sh@t all spell danger. Hang your heads in shame.

blylad says...
9:09pm Sun 17 Oct 10

The total lack of respect in some of these comments absolutely appalls me!! A family has been torn apart but instead of sympathy some people post judgement. R.I.P Keith and Elaine and to all their' family my thoughts are with you at this sad time.

mys says...
9:22pm Sun 17 Oct 10

why is there so many small minded people on this site,theres a family here been distroyed by a tragic accident,does it matter whos to blame at this stage,if you can't give your condolances to a this family then go away,R.I.P to both keith and elaine and let there children and family grieve in peace xx

Trap one says...
9:33pm Sun 17 Oct 10

Scherben.. sincere condolences to you and your fiancee, there really is a case for not allowing comments on something as tragic as this and something the LET should look at, because you will always get some clown who sole objective is to be controversial and get a reaction.Once again condolences from an ex biker who came close once too often.

sunnyside1 says...
10:32pm Sun 17 Oct 10

it makes me so angry reading all the negative and thoughtless comments regarding this very tragic accident, who do these people think they are in just assuming that the driver of the bike was at fault even before the facts of this accident were even released. R.I.P together Keith and Elaine
such a sad loss.

Brockhall Biker says...
10:44pm Sun 17 Oct 10

May I offer my heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of Keith and Elaine

....and for the people who have left $hitty & hurtful comments I hope you never have to grieve over a loved one like the family of this poor couple.
Let's wait until the full details are known before passing judgement because nobody knows if a mechanical fault caused this tragedy or if diesel, mud or horse / cattle $hit on the road caused the rider to lose control.

R.I.P and ride easy.

scherben says...
11:53pm Sun 17 Oct 10

Many thanks to all the kind comments made. Believe me, they are very much appreciated, and please ALL of you, even those who made the inappropriate comments: for God's sake please stay safe.

montecassino says...
12:17am Mon 18 Oct 10

My sincere condolences to the family.
Life can be so cruel at times.
R.I.P Keith and Elaine

crammedarse says...
9:42am Mon 18 Oct 10

My thoughts are with your family and friends.
RIP
Ride free my friend

joowoody says...
3:22pm Mon 18 Oct 10

So very sad. May you R.I.P. X

scherben says...
3:47pm Mon 18 Oct 10

Again, thanks for the kind comments joowoody, crammedarse and montecassino. They are very much appreciated.

psychgirl74 says...
6:25pm Mon 18 Oct 10

My sincere condolences to the family of this couple. What I wonder though is about the actual "editing" that does not go on at LET especially when someone hits the REPORT button on offensive and potentially slanderous comments?

BjornAganeByka says...
8:54pm Mon 18 Oct 10

I can't understand anyone having a problem with this road.
I passed my motorcycle test in 1967 and if I've ridden this road once, I've ridden it a 1000 times with never a hint of trouble or possible danger. In fact I was on it only last week - I'd been to my son's house and I was off for a nice day's riding in the Dales.
If you ride at the right speed for the road, then there is no problem.

scherben says...
1:37am Tue 19 Oct 10

Bjorn, I suspect Keith had done the same for years; and how I and his daughter wish he was a superman like you; then evryone's life wouldn't be in pieces. Thanks for your sensitivity.

Brockhall Biker says...
1:39am Wed 20 Oct 10

BjornAganeByka wrote:
I can't understand anyone having a problem with this road.
I passed my motorcycle test in 1967 and if I've ridden this road once, I've ridden it a 1000 times with never a hint of trouble or possible danger. In fact I was on it only last week - I'd been to my son's house and I was off for a nice day's riding in the Dales.
If you ride at the right speed for the road, then there is no problem.
Born, as a biker since 67' should have more common sense,respect and sensitivity in your comments. I have also driven and ridden this stretch of road thousands of times in over 20 years and yes it may safe enough in the right circumstances but my point is we don't know the circumstances that led to the tragic death of two fellow bikers. May they rest in peace and be fondly remembered by those they have left behind.

scherben says...
3:53pm Wed 20 Oct 10

Brockhill, many thanks once again; your kindness and sympathy are very much appreciated at this horrible time. I can guarantee that they will always be fondly remembered, as I hope that ALL who have commented on this story are, whether or not I've found their coments good or bad.

May you all have happy, long lives; please stay safe, and always be loved.

All the best.

NewGoldDream says...
4:07am Fri 22 Oct 10

They were beautiful, loving and kind people and will be missed everyday and each night.

What we have once enjoyed we can never lose;
All that we love deeply, becomes a part of us.

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