Two British nationals killed as driver crashes into cycling club ride in Trinidad & Tobago

Two British cyclists have been killed after a driver crashed into a club ride in Trinidad & Tobago.

Joanna Banks, aged 40 and a manager at BP’s operations in the Caribbean country, was thrown into a ditch by the impact of the fatal collision yesterday morning.

Joe Brown a well-known chef who rana a restaurant in Port of Spain, was also killed in the crash on the capital's Beetham Highway.

Both were among 14 riders from the Slipstream Cycling Club taking part in a regular group ride.

According to Guardian.co.tt local residents initially focused on helping Brown who seemed to be the most seriously injured of the cyclists, since they were unaware that Banks was in the ditch.

The newspaper said that she was pronounced dead at the scene, although it is unclear whether her death was due to injuries sustained in the collision itself, or whether she drowned. Brown was declared dead upon arrival at hospital.

Nine other cyclists were injured, with three of them reported to be in critical condition.

The driver, Junior McIntyre, reportedly told police that he lost control of his Kia Spectra car due to a puncture.

Brown has sponsored road safety charity Arrive Alive’s World Day of Re­mem­brance for Road Traf­fic Vic­tims in past years.

The charity’s president, Sharon Inglefield, said: “Our condolences go out to the families of the loved ones lost on the Beetham this morning. Our condolences to the cycling fraternity. We are devastated by today’s events. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”

Speaking of Brown’s support for the charity, she said it was “tragic he should lose his life on our roads.

“Our roads continue to be a dangerous environment and we all have a responsibility, more particularly drivers, to respect vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians.” she added.

BP Trinidad & Tobago also paid tribute to the victims through social media.

Today BPTT mourns the loss of Joanna Banks, a member of the BPTT family. We are saddened by this tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Joanna, Joe Brown and all of those affected by today’s incident.

— BPTT (@BP_TandT) November 11, 2018