Motorcyclist and passenger killed after coming off bike in Chipping Norton town centre

The pair - both men - were thrown from a white Suzuki GS 500 near temporary traffic lights on New Street by the junction of the A361 West Street after being seen 'overtaking several cars'.

The bike was being ridden on the A44 from the village of Salford in the direction of Chipping Norton along New Street when the crash happened.

The bike left the road near the temporary gas main works, with both men thrown from the bike. 

Both men died at the scene. Their next of kin have been informed.

One of the men killed in the crash has been named locally as Steve Witham, 63, who lived in town. 

It is not clear whether Mr Witham was the driver or passenger on the bike. 

His daughter, Louise Kemp, said Mr Witham's other daughter, her sister, died of cancer just one month ago.

She said: "He lost his daughter, my sister, to cancer exactly a month yesterday. Peace and love to them both. I will miss them forever."

A Just Giving page was set up in memory to her sister Shenda following her death last montha aged 40.

Lauren Van Aarle is the deputy manager of The Fox, which Mr Witham frequented. 

She said: "I served him most of the time. He used to come in here every morning. 

"It was quite a shock because he was only just in here yesterday or the day before.

"He was lovely. He was always really polite towards me and always brought friends in here. He was just a lovely lovely guy to us and always supported the business." 

Investigating officer PC Charlie Etheridge, from the Joint Operations Unit for Roads Policing, said: "I would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision or who saw the motorcycle or the riders before the collision.

"If you have any information which could assist the investigation please contact police as soon as possible."

Anyone with any information should contact PC Etheridge, based in Bicester, via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101 quoting URN 870 2/9.