A MAN in his fifties has died in a work-related accident near York today.

The man died in an incident at a Sainsburys distribution depot in Sherburn in Elmet this morning.

North Yorkshire Police have cordoned off the area while an investigation into the fatal accident takes place.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police said they were called to the scene at about 8.30am, to reports of a collision at the distribution centre.

She said: "The collision involved a tractor unit and a male pedestrian and happened in the loading area of the premises.

"Sadly, the pedestrian, a man aged in his fifties from the Wakefield area who was employed by Sainsbury’s, was pronounced deceased at the scene of the collision. His next of kin have been informed of his death."

The tractor referred to by police is believed to be a 'shunter' vehicle, used to move trailers around the yard.

The spokeswoman said an investigation has been launched into the collision, and police were not yet able to release the name of the dead man.

The distribution depot is run by Wincanton, a logistics and haulage business, and the fatal accident is understood to have taken place in a loading area.

A spokeswoman for Wincanton told The Press: "As of yet, the details of the incident are unclear.

"We are working with the emergency services to ascertain the circumstances that lead to this tragic incident. As this is a police investigation we will not be able to comment any further at this time. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased during this difficult time."

A spokeswoman for Sainsbury’s said: "Our sympathies are with the family of a colleague employed by our partner Wincanton, at the Sherburn site, following a tragic accident this morning. We are assisting them and the police with their investigations."

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said any investigation into the incident would be carried out by police and the local authority.