Tributes have been paid to a British couple killed in a ‘freak’ accident in northern Spain after they fell off their motorbike as cars behind them were unable to brake.

Kieron Haines, 68, and his wife Sharron, 65, died after coming off their bike on a motorway during heavy rain.

Both were hit by following vehicles which were unable to brake in time after they were flung onto the tarmac on Monday last week.

Friends spoke of their sadness overnight after being contacted by relatives of the couple, from Norwich in Norfolk, about the devastating news.

As well as a shared passion for motorbikes which had seen them do several European tours, they also kept an allotment and Kieron was a keen amateur beekeeper. 

Kieron Haines, 68, and his wife Sharron, 65, died after coming off their bike on a motorway during heavy rain (the couple pictured)

Tributes have been paid to British couple (pictured) who were killed in a ‘freak’ accident in northern Spain last week

The accident happened last week on the A-8 motorway near to the resort town of Llanes (file image) an hour’s drive east of the northern Spanish city of Oviedo

The fatal accident happened last Monday around 5.30pm on the A-8 motorway near the resort town of Llanes an hour’s drive east of the northern Spanish city of Oviedo.

Shelagh Gurney, Norfolk County Councillor for Hellesdon near Norwich where Kieron and his wife lived, said in a message to her local allotment holders’ association over the weekend: ‘It is with great sadness and upset that I have to advise you that my dear friend and bee colleague Kieron Haines and his dearest wife and old school friend of mine Sharron have both lost their lives in a freak motorcycle accident whilst touring with the motorcycle club they belong to in northern Spain.’

Saying she had been contacted by their son Ben, one of the couple’s two children, she added: ‘I am devastated to say the least and I know you will all know them both as they had an allotment. Rest in peace my dear beekeeping friend and your wife.’

Construction worker David Rowe replied: ‘That is so sad. He was a lovely guy, always had time for a chat, both very nice people.’

Fellow allotment grower Shirley King wrote: ‘We are very shocked and saddened by the news.

‘We will miss him so much as he was a great allotment neighbour.’

Another acquaintance added: ‘Kieron was a lovely down-to-earth man.

‘Our thoughts are with his family and friends.’

Friends of Kieron and Sharron Haines (pictured) spoke of their sadness overnight after being contacted by relatives of the couple, from Norwich in Norfolk

As well as a shared passion for motorbikes which had seen them do several European tours, Kieron and Sharron also kept an allotment

Kieron and Sharron were hit by following vehicles which were unable to brake in time after they were flung onto the tarmac after falling from the motorcycle on Monday last week

Well-travelled Kieron and Sharron featured high on a ‘Leader Board’ of tours organised by a Surrey-based motorcycle tour firm.

It was not immediately clear this morning if the couple had been travelling with the firm or an East Anglia club they are thought to have belonged to.

Their son Ben, in an emotional tribute to his parents earlier this year to mark their 30th wedding anniversary, wrote on Facebook: ‘Happy anniversary to a beautiful mother and an awesome father.

‘You both consistently inspire me to be the best person I can be. Hope you have a great day.’

Friend Teresa Beach replied at the time: ‘Happy anniversary to two of the nicest people I know.’

A spokesman for the Civil Guard confirmed after last week’s tragic accident: ‘Two British nationals have died in an accident on the A8 motorway in the municipality of Blanes, near the Balmori exit.

‘They were a couple aged 68 and 65. They were heading west in the direction of the provincial capital Oviedo when the motorbike they were on overturned for reasons which are still being investigated.’

Well-travelled Kieron and Sharron featured high on a ‘Leader Board’ of tours organised by a Surrey-based motorcycle tour firm

Well-travelled Kieron and Sharron are pictured together in holiday snaps. Friends have now paid tribute to the pair

The accident led to the temporary closure of part of the motorway.

Local reports at the time said the accident occurred while it was raining heavily in the area.

A Civil Guard report into the incident has not been made public and has been handed to a local investigating judge.

Post-mortem results have not been made public either, as is normal in Spain.