TWO drivers from Rossendale died after their articulated lorry plunged from a mountain pass into a river in northern Spain.

Vic Anthony Richardson and Colin Palmer, both 43, were working for Bacup haulage contractors C and D Transport.

They had collected their load of fresh and frozen chickens from Toledo ready to delivery to UK markets when they had a puncture near Pamplona.

Managing director of C and D Transport, Derek Traynor, said it took eight hours to have two tyres replaced on the vehicle and they set off on their journey back at about 8.30pm on Wednesday.

Their lorry plunged from the A121A into a Pyrenees ravine some time on Wednesday night in the Navarre region near to the French border.

Director Tony Ward said he was contacted by the authorities at 7am yesterday and told there had been an accident and both drivers had been killed.

Vic was the uncle of Tony and Derek.

Derek said: "We are still waiting for full details of exactly what happened. The authorities are carrying out a full road traffic investigation. There could have been a spillage or anything we just don't know."

C and D Transport have been in operation for two and a half years and the Spanish run - a round trip of 2,700 miles - is one Colin has made several times. Colin, of Clarence Avenue, Helmshore, who was driving, had worked for the company for nine months. Vic was asked by Derek if he wanted to do the run with Colin - it was the first time he had worked for the business, but Derek said: "Both drivers had years of experience working for several haulage firms in the Valley. "On Friday I asked Vic if he would like to do the run and they set off on Saturday. There were delays in packing the load and so they had been given an extra day and were due back in Britain today."

Vic, of Lee Road, Stacksteads, leaves his wife Denise and three children Andrew, Lee and Claire.

Colin leaves his wife Pat and three children Andrew, Daniel and Cheryl. Andrew used to accompany his dad on UK haulage trips.

Tony said: "They were really excellent chaps. We are all devastated. They can't be replaced."

Derek added: "Our thoughts are now with their families. Vic was like a brother to both of us because he was close to our age."

The drivers' bodies were recovered from the cab and taken to Navarre hospital. The truck was only recovered from the river today. The cousins are hoping both bodies will be back in Britain within a week.

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