Motorcycle tragedy leads to road review

12:37pm Thursday 28th August 2008

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By Julian Robinson »

HIGHWAYS chiefs have vowed to carry out a safety review on a busy New Forest road after a schoolgirl and her stepdad died in a horror crash.

Channon Kevern, 11, and 29-year-old Terry Stubbs died after the motorbike they were travelling on collided with a car on the A326 near Hardley roundabout.

Now county roads bosses have pledged to undertake a thorough investigation of the route where the tragedy happened.

News of the crash sent shockwaves through the Fawley community where Channon and Terry lived. In tribute to the pair, the family have released a picture of them together.

In the days after the incident, scores of grief-stricken friends and relatives left cards and flowers at the spot where they lost their lives.

Brian Dash, councillor for Hythe and Dibden, said: "I think we have got to look very closely at this road.

"Something like double white lines may help. But you cannot make any sensible suggestions until we have seen a report of the accident."

Fawley councillor Alexis McEvoy said: "A lot of people are calling for a dual carriageway but my feelings are that it would encourage more people to go faster.

"The road needs to be looked at - engineers need to assess the problem and report back so that the public know what they are thinking."

A spokesman from Hampshire County Council said: "As with any fatal accident or accident resulting in serious injury, we do investigate, but we cannot carry out our investigations until the police have concluded theirs.

"Our road safety officers will be looking into it and assessing what safety measures would be appropriate."

A 73-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and bailed until October 24.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0845 045 4545.