Just over a year after four members of Rhyl CC were killed in North Wales, Birkenhead North End CC suffered a similar tragedy on Sunday when a car was in collision with a group of 24 riders from the club, killing one rider and injuring two more.

Mel Vasey, 53, who had been a member of the club for 15 years, was killed in the accident, which happened on the A540 at Two Mills, Wirral, as the riders approached the popular Eureka Cafe (pictured in the summer).

Two other riders, Dave Parry and Danny McDonough, were taken to hospital, but their injuries were not life threatening.

It is believed the car driver, a 29-year-old man, was dazzled by a low sun and ran into the back of the group. It is believed that Vasey was thrown onto the bonnet of the Renault Clio, shattering the windscreen, before being thrown into the road.

Vasey was co-owner of the Quinn Brothers cycle shop in Edge Lane, Liverpool.

Birkenhead North End official Clive Walmsley said members of the club were in deep shock.

?Mel was a typical Scouse character, always laughing and joking,? he was reported as saying.

?I was a few miles behind when the accident happened. By the time I arrived, Mel was lying unconscious on the road.

?Other drivers had stopped and one was giving him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, while another was attempting heart massage.

?The run was immediately cancelled and we all gathered in the café, where the mood was absolutely sombre.

?Everybody is just terribly upset.?