A WOMAN suffered serious head injuries in a road accident with a tractor while cycling with her son in a village near York.

Police said the woman, named locally as Katheryn Newlove, 48, was riding along Main Street, Sutton-on-Derwent, when the accident happened.

Her ten-year-old son, who was riding a short distance ahead, was said to be badly shocked, but unharmed.

Mrs Newlove was taken to York District Hospital by ambulance, but was later transferred to Leeds General Infirmary, where her condition today was said to be stable and improving.

The tractor driver, Peter Wake, escaped unhurt, but was said by his father, Tony, to be "very badly shaken up."

Tony Wake, who farms at Sutton and at nearby Ellerton, said: "It is a terrible accident, I am waiting to find out what exactly has happened. I have been farming all my life and have never seen anything like this."

The tractor was pulling a trailer full of cows between farms. None of the cows was injured.

Police Inspector Mark Cunningham appealed for witnesses to the accident, which happened at 4.30pm yesterday.

He said Main Street, also the B1228, is a busy route and asked commuters to come forward.

"A number of commuters do live in this area and may have been on their way home, so if you have seen anything please get in touch.

Anyone with any information is asked to ring PC Simon Carlisle on 01759 302174.

Updated: 11:15 Thursday, May 09, 2002