Three cyclists have been killed and a fourth seriously injured in a road accident in Northumberland.

The cyclists were involved in a collision with a car on the outskirts of Blyth at around 5.30 p.m. on Saturday.

The three victims, all male adults on mountain bikes, were believed to live locally. Their names have not yet been released by police.

The fourth, who was with the cycling group, suffered a fractured leg.

A police spokesman said an investigation has been launched into the cause of the accident.

"It hasn't been clarified yet as to exactly how the accident occurred -- it is still on-going," said a police spokesman.

The driver of the car involved in the accident was detained overnight for questioning at Blyth police station. He will be questioned again on Sunday.

A local farmer, Ian Thompson, 47, described the scene on the A193 where the accident happened as "absolute carnage".

"When I heard what happened I went to the scene and found absolute carnage," said Mr Thompson. "There were a lot of police there and the road was littered with mangled bikes."

The accident happened mid way along a dark but straight stretch of road along the coast between Blyth and Seaton Sluice.

Mr Thompson said the road was notorious accident black spot.

"It was probably one of the best lit roads in Northumberland, but the county council removed the lights because they were leaning over and in a dangerous condition," he said.

He added that there used to be cycle tracks on both sides of the road, but now there was only one track, which meant cyclists had to cross the road to reach it.
 

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