A MOTORCYLIST has been airlifted to hospital with serious leg and arm injuries after a crash on a North Yorkshire road.

North Yorkshire Police have appealed for help in tracing a car driver who failed to stop after the accident near Great Ouseburn, south-east of Boroughbridge.

A force spokeswoman said the motorcyclist was injured after taking evasive action to avoid a car at the junction of the B6265 Green Hammerton to Boroughbridge Road and Gallabar Lane, which leads to Marton-cum-Grafton.

"The car was turning right out of Gallabar Lane and the motorcyclist was turning left into Gallabar Lane," she said.

"The motorcyclist, a 52-yer-old local man who was riding a Triumph motorcycle, was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary."

She said the accident happened at about 6.45am today.

"Officers are appealing to the driver of the car and to anyone else who was in the area at the time who witnessed the collision or saw a vehicle leave the scene of the incident to contact police," she said.

"There is no other information relating to the colour or make of the car, therefore information from any witnesses or anyone who believes it is their car that was involved is vital."

Anyone who can assist the investigation is being asked to phone 101, select option 2 and ask for Traffic Constable Rob Roberts or email rob.roberts@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk, or pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting reference number 12170189975.

The spokeswoman added that police wished to thank members of the public who stopped at the scene to assist the rider prior to the arrival of emergency services.