Wild West fans killed by pick-up

The Wilkinsons visited Tombstone every year

A pair of British Wild West enthusiasts were killed when they were hit by a pick-up truck during an annual trip to the city of Tombstone, Arizona.

Arthur and Winifred Wilkinson, aged 81 and 75, of Preston, Lancashire, visited the US city for re-enactments of the Gunfight at the OK Corral.

They were killed on Monday evening as they crossed Highway 80, a well-known accident black spot.

The Tombstone Marshal's office told the BBC an investigation was ongoing.

Mr and Mrs Wilkinson, who married in Tombstone in 2002, visited the city every year for its Helldorado Day celebrations.

They would often dress in period clothing for the event, which marks the famed 1881 shoot-out in the city.

As far as we can gather the guy driving the truck did not see them Marshal's office spokeswoman

A spokeswoman for Marshal Larry Talvy said the couple were crossing the highway, near to its junction with 4th Street, at about 1830 (MST) when the truck hit them.

The section of the highway, which is the main road through town and has a 35mph (56km/h) limit, is poorly lit.

"As far as we can gather the guy driving the truck did not see them," she said.

Investigators have staged an accident reconstruction and are still awaiting the results.

But the spokeswoman added that officers did not believe speed was a factor.

The driver, who tried to give first aid while officers arrived, was "extremely upset", she said.