TWO men died in a road accident which has left the village of Marsden in shock.

They were killed when they were struck by a car as they walked along Meltham Road in Marsden early yesterday morning.

They have not yet been named by police, but the men are believed to be aged 46 and 50 and from the Marsden area.

The accident happened just before 12.10am at the Gatehead Bank junction, which is on a stretch of road heading towards the village.

The victims were hit by a Renault Scenic travelling on Meltham Road. The driver of the car was uninjured in the crash.

Neighbours who witnessed the accident were yesterday numb with shock. One broke down in tears at the news that two people had died.

Another female neighbour said: "It was really awful.

"I was walking past Gatehead Bank at 12.15am - just after the accident had happened. I saw two men in the middle of the road - I didn't want to look at them too closely as it was upsetting..

 "Then someone said they had sent for an ambulance. There was quite a commotion and then two fire engines, three ambulances, and at least half a dozen police cars arrived very quickly.

"It was just horrendous - I knew just by looking at the men that it had been a really bad accident."

Another said he saw the aftermath of the collision, after being woken by the noise outside. He said police closed off the road to take measurements and were still there at 2.30am.

He said that a car was damaged on one side. He said: "I'm not surprised this has happened - it is a busy road at night, and a lot of drivers use it as a short cut to Manchester.

"I think the men were either coming back from the pub or the village or heading down into it."

Another resident who lives two doors away from the junction where the accident happened, said there were quite a few people standing outside when the emergency services arrived.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the tragedy.

They want anyone who saw the vehicle or the pedestrians on that road immediately before the accident to contact Huddersfield road traffic police on 01484 436847.