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UK couple riding round world killed in Thailand just weeks after their film accepted for festival (+ video)

Peter Root and Mary Thompson set out on their journey 18 months ago

A couple from the UK whose video of part of their round-the-world cycle ride was recently chosen to feature in the annual Filmed By Bike festival have been killed by a pick-up truck in Thailand.

Peter Root and Mary Thompson, both aged 34, died last Wednesday in the province of Chachoengsao Province, immediately to the east of the capital, Bangkok.

The pair met 14 years ago while studying at art college in Falmouth, Cornwall, reports Metro. Peter was born on Jersey but grew up on Guernsey, while Mary was from Bristol, and the pair had exhibited their art throughout the UK.

Thailand was the 23rd country the couple had visited since leaving the UK 18 months ago, having ridden through Europe, the Middle East, and Central and South East Asia.

A spokesman for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office said: “We are aware of the deaths of two British nationals in Thailand on Wednesday. We are providing consular assistance.”

At the end of January, the couple revealed on Twitter that their film Cycling Central Asia had been selected to be part of the 11th annual Filmed By Bike festival in Portland, Oregon. The video is one of several that the pair had made to record their journey and which they posted to Vimeo.

Cycling Central Asia from twoonfourwheels.com on Vimeo.

 

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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9 comments

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madguern | 11 years ago
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Seems the driver will get 10 years for this. He was reaching for hat on floor of cab. In the uk he would probably get a 60 pound fine. If drivers in uk faced a 10 year jail sentence perhaps roads would be a little safer

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zanf | 11 years ago
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I have been following their blog since not long after they left and although I'd never met them, I feel like I've lost a couple of people I knew.

They were also both talented and accomplished artists:

http://www.peterroot.com/
http://www.marythompson.co.uk/

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UncleFred | 11 years ago
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My wife has been friends with Pete since her schooldays. My brother has been friends and work collegues with both Pete and Mary for many years, we are all desparately sad that this has happened to 2 wonderful and talented people. They will be greatly missed.

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kevinscruggs | 11 years ago
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How tragic. They seem like such fantastic people and so happy with what they did. God speed.

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chokofingrz | 11 years ago
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Very sad to hear but at least they died young, fit and doing something they loved - not to mention having seen some truly exotic places and amazing sights. Many of us will not be so lucky enough to be so bold.

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silkred | 11 years ago
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there is never any distant right or wrong that is in any way meaningful when something like this happens - they look happy and fun - I feel sad that this happened but at the same time I am admiring that they were there doing what I can barely begin to dream about.... if I was to go I would always wish it would be doing something that was at least fun before hand...

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Gkam84 | 11 years ago
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I have been following their journey, some wild and wacky routes, but it seemed like good fun.

Even holding onto a massive truck to be pulled up hill. We've all done something like that, but when I was young, it was roller blades and the local buses  19

Two great exploring cyclists lives cut short. Really sad  2

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Abbie | 11 years ago
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How very Sad. What a lovely Film. I need to get out more!
Mind you, holding on to a Lorry wouldn't be my idea of fun.
Two amazing Lives cut very short.

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mrchrispy | 11 years ago
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RIP  2
I'm in Thailand at the moment and while the people are lovely I don't think I'd be too happy riding anywhere urban. Such a shame.

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