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.