Cyclists killed in Berkshire village on Thursday evening named, police repeat witness appeal

The two cyclists who died when they were struck by a car in the Berkshire village of Purley on Thames on Thursday evening have been named as Kris Jarvis and John Morland. Police have issued a fresh witness appeal in connection with the incident.

Mr Jarivis, aged 39 and from Reading, and 30-year-old Mr Morland, worked together at Reading Borough Council. Both were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which happened at approximately 9pm on Purley Rise.

In a statement reported on Mirror.co.uk, Mr Jarvis’s friend Aidan Clayton, who had known him for three decades, said: "Kris always said he'd die on his bike, such was his love for cycling!

"None of his loving family or friends could ever imagine that this would be the way he would've expected it to happen.

"He'll be missed by us all and remembered often. He'll be talked about with kind words, and memories will always be fond.

"He'll be referred to as the friend that everyone wished they could be."

Father-of-two Mr Morland’s mother-in-law left flowers at the scene yesterday and said: “My daughter's in bits and the children too." She added that Mr Jarvis had five children
The driver of the vehicle, which police have said was linked to a domestic incident they had been called to in the flood-hit village, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

The man, aged 31 and from Purley on Thames, had been taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading to be treated for minor injuries sustained when the car he was driving rolled over after hitting the cyclists.

Assistant Chief Constable said: “There is a significant amount of work ongoing with regards to the investigation and so it is difficult to give any further details at the moment.

“Our thoughts and sympathies at this time are with the two families who have been left absolutely devastated by the loss of their loved ones."

Thames Valley Police said: “A police vehicle, which was in the vicinity of the collision at the time, did not collide with any vehicles.”

It added that since it had referred the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, “it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”

Police have asked anyone with information about the incident, or who saw the car beforehand, to call 101 or the hcrity Crimestoppers, anonymously, 0800 555111.

An IPCC spokeswoman commented: “We sent investigators to the scene and we are carrying out an assessment.

"Our people on the ground are looking into the circumstances and in time will decide the level of IPCC involvement."

In a statement made yesterday prior to the victims being identified in the press, Reading Borough Council said: “It is with great sadness that news of the tragic death of two council employees reached us this morning.

“At this stage the council has been asked by the police not to release the names of our colleagues until the formal identification process is complete.

"The thoughts of everyone at Reading Borough Council are obviously with their families at this sad time.”