Two motorcyclists killed during a touring holiday in Italy have been named as Colin Morrish and Wendy Pointer from Rochester.

Mr Morrish and Mrs Pointer, who were in their 60’s, are believed to have collided with a lorry as they came out of a tunnel in Mezzolombardo, Trento, on Tuesday night.

Mr Morrish’s business CM Motorcycles in Rochester High Street has been closed until further notice.

Medway NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed Mrs Pointer was a clinical nurse specialist in rheumatology at Medway Maritime Hospital.

A spokesman said: "She was a valued member of the Trust and a good friend to colleagues and patients alike and will be sorely missed.

"Our thoughts are with her family at this very sad time."

A third Briton who died in the accident has been named by Sky News as 66-year-old Michael Vercoe, from West Kingsdown. Mr Vercoe’s wife Faye, 63, was seriously injured and is said to be critically ill in hospital.

Italian news agency Ansa claimed initial reports suggested the group emerged from the tunnel on two motorcycles and mistakenly believed that they were on a one-way road.

The two couples, who had been taking part in the Motorcycle Touring Club of Europe along with eight other Britons, are believed to have been visiting another member Gordon Ellis, 58, who had been injured in an accident last week.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office, said: “We can confirm the deaths of three British nationals in a motorbike accident near Trento, Italy on September 22.

“One British national is in hospital in a serious but stable condition. We are providing consular assistance to all the families.”

A spokesman for the coroner’s office for mid-Kent and Medway said: “Once their bodies are repatriated a post mortem will be carried out (on British soil) and an inquest open and adjourned.”

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