Published: Wednesday, 19th November, 2008 9:00am

Borders roads claim two more lives

THE number of deaths on the region"s roads this year has risen to eight over the past week, as two young people lost their lives.

Twenty-five- year-old Murray Fleming from Greenlaw died after an accident while he was cycling on the A698 Hawick to Denholm road on Sunday evening.

The IT worker and a Volkswagon Passat were involved in the collision and Mr Fleming was transferred to the Borders General Hospital, where he later died as a result of his injuries.

A police spokesman said: 'About 6.40 p.m. on Sunday on the A698 Hawick to Denholm road, at a point known locally as Ashybank, a collision occurred between an eastbound Volkswagon Passat and an eastbound pedal cyclist.

'The police are appealing for anybody who was on that road about that time who can remember seeing two cyclists heading towards Denholm and in particular a westbound vehicle which was travelling towards Hawick.

'The driver of this vehicle, who would not have been aware of the collision, may be able to assist with the enquiry.'

The tragic accident happened just days after a 29 year-old student from Berwick was killed after an accident near Chirnside.

Wassana Kwayotha or Lockey was driving on the B6355 road on Thursday morning when the Citroen Xsara came off the road, causing fatal injuries. No other vehicles were involved.

Police are appealing for any witnesses with any information about the accidents to contact them on 0131-311-3131.