A WOMAN from Stourport has been killed in a motorcycle accident which a Kidderminster firefighter described as "one of the most horrific" he has seen during his 23 years in the service.

Twenty-six-year-old pillion passenger Deborah Barnett died in Tuesday's collision with an articulated lorry which also killed motorcycle rider Christopher Shaughn-essy, 30, of Ludlow.

Leading firefighter Tony Wilks said both Kawasaki 600cc motorcycle riders had died before his arrival at the scene on the westbound carriageway of the A491 between Lydiate Ash and Hagley at the Clent junction.

He said: "It was horrific and is a terribly sad thing to have happened. I feel extremely sorry for the friends and relatives of the people involved as I have seen few accidents worse than this.

"The motorcycle was smashed to bits and we had to release the rider from underneath the lorry."

The Kidderminster fire crew was joined by teams from Stourbridge and Worcester as well as two ambulances, an air ambulance, police and an accident investigation unit following the incident shortly after 2pm.

The lorry driver was not seriously injured but was taken to hospital where he was treated for shock.

Kidderminster Police spokeswoman Caroline Schubert said: "The road had to be closed from the roundabouts at its Fairfield and Hagley ends and diversions were set up by the Highways Agency before the road was eventually reopened at 5.30pm."