A MOTORCYCLIST has died on a North Yorkshire road after his bike went out of control on a bend and collided with a car.

The accident, involving a black Honda motorcycle and a silver Toyota Carina, happened on the B1363 York to Helmsley Road, between Brandsby and Gilling East.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said the road was closed for about four hours following the incident, which happened at 4.40pm yesterday.

"The rider of the motorcycle, a middle-aged man from the Middlesbrough area, died at the scene," he said.

"The driver and passenger from the Toyota, men in their 40s from York, were uninjured."

Details of the dead motorcyclist were not being released until he had been formally identified and his next of kin informed.

Anyone who saw the crash or either vehicle before the accident should phone Traffic Constable Mark Gonnella on 01723 509555.

Updated: 10:46 Friday, June 20, 2003