A MAN has been arrested following a major search by police after a driver crashed on a rural North Yorkshire road.

North Yorkshire Police were called to reports of a car driving at speed in Checker Lane, Riccall, adjacent to the A19 which left the road and collided with a tree.

A spokesman said a witness reported the blue Ford Focus travelling at speeds of around 80mph before it left the road and hit the tree at about 8.15am today.

When police arrived, the driver had made off from the crash. The spokesman said the car's airbag had been deployed in the collision.

Officers searched the local area, and later called for assistance from the police helicopter, which was launched at about 9.30am.

The police spokesman said a man was found by the search team asleep in the nearby skate park, and was arrested by officers for failing to report an accident.

The spokesman confirmed there had been no other passengers in the vehicle at the time of the crash, and the man remains in police custody.