A COUPLE involved in a cycling tragedy should have been starting their holidays today, an inquest was told.

Keen cyclists Alan and Dorothy Brown, of Taylor Street, Barnoldswick, were riding along the A59 between Gisburn and Skipton at Bracewell when they were in collision with a car.

Mrs Brown, 47, died from multiple injuries.

Mr Brown, who runs Brown Bros Esso garage, Skipton Road, Barnoldswick, was taken to hospital with head injuries.

His brother, Keith, of Valley Drive, Barnoldswick, told an inquest in Burnley yesterday that Alan had now been discharged from hospital. His injuries were not as serious as was first feared.

The couple often went cycling together and on Saturday they set out to pay kennel fees because they were due to go on holiday.

Alan had told his brother he was riding in front of Dorothy when they were both struck from behind by a car.

East Lancashire Coroner David Smith adjourned the inquest until police have completed their inquiries into the tragedy. Mrs Brown's funeral will take place in Skipton tomorrow.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.