A YOUNG motorcyclist was killed and another seriously injured when their bikes collided while trying to avoid a speed camera on the A316 in Whitton.

The two men, both aged 23, had been riding in a pack with at least two other motorcyclists when the accident happened at 1.23pm on Sunday.

Officers at Hampton Traffic Garage say the group were travelling west towards Hanworth when they slowed down to avoid being flashed by a speed camera opposite Chase Gardens. Eyewitnesses said that one of the group, riding a Suzuki 600, failed to slow down in time and smashed into the back of the Yamaha R-1 in front of him.

The force of the impact threw both riders from their bikes and flung them onto the kerb.

The young men sustained serious injuries and were taken by ambulance to West Middlesex Hospital.

Stephen Weymouth, of Midhurst Road, Ealing, who had been riding the Suzuki, was later pronounced dead.

The rider of the Yamaha, who has not been named by police, remains in a serious condition though his injuries are not believed to be life threatening. He is thought to have sustained an open fracture to his leg.

A post mortem for Mr Weymouth was held on Tuesday at Hounslow Coroners Office but the result was not known at the time of going to press.

Collision investigators at Hampton Traffic Garage are appealing for witnesses.

A spokesman said: "This kind of accident involving speed cameras is not very common, particularly with motorcyclists."

Transport for London, who own the speed camera, said that the accident was an example of what could happen to drivers not observing the speed limit.

A spokesman said: "Speed cameras are there to remind people to drive within the posted speed limits and our advice would be for people to observe the posted speed limits at all times.

"Obviously this is a tragic example of what could happen when people don't observe the speed limits and drive too quickly."

Anyone with any information about the accident is urged to contact Hampton Crash Investigation Unit on 020 8247 6935.